The Three Big R’s
Imagine a camp where there is no need to fundraise for deferred maintenance, repairs, renovations, or replacements. That old truck that needs a clutch, the HVAC unit that needs a compressor, the program area that needs paint, and that zero-turn mower that is on its last lap—imagine ample funds to tackle these projects and more.
Passive Projects
Shelter is the physical manifestation of a person’s unique ecological condition—a direct interface with nature, and perhaps nowhere is this gradient more abrupt than at camp. The buildings become indelible reminders of this interplay to the campers who use them, and can become the primary nostalgic touchpoint years later.
From Surviving To Thriving
Owning a camp takes expertise and dedication. Often, at the same time children’s feet run through the lodge, the water heater goes on the blink, or the oven in the kitchen refuses to heat up.
Seasons Of Improvement
Nestled on the shores of Sebago Lake in Casco, Maine, Camp Sunshine has been providing free retreats for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families since 1984. Although the campus has been much quieter since the last in-person sessions were hosted in February 2020, “turning lemons into lemonade” has remained the mantra.
Time To Drain The Pipes
Most camp administrators—especially those who live in colder areas of the country—know the drill well. By October of each year, it's time to winterize the pipes.
Camp Administration 101: For Smoother Operations
Whether you own and operate your camp facilities or have a user-group agreement, you have the responsibility to ensure facilities are safe and stand the test of time. Maintaining these facilities properly is the key to making sure this happens.
Building For The Future
Many important questions, conversations, considerations, and decisions are made during the journey toward a ribbon cutting for a new camp building. At initial meetings, camp owners and directors often focus on the most out-of-the-box, wish-list ideas so the design/build team can articulate the camp’s vision and generate a design that will eventually result in a functional, beautiful space.
Ironing Out The Details
While the real fun kicks off in the summer, preparations for camp begin long before the first child arrives.
Restroom Renovation
When it comes to facility renovations in many camps, the one area that nearly all administrators want to upgrade is the restrooms. However, restroom renovation remains a dream for too many administrators. The reason is simple: it can be costly.
For Safety’s Sake
As camp season rapidly approaches and camp owners, managers, and directors cross items off their “to-do lists,” there is one area where “good enough” just won’t cut it. When it comes to safety, extra care must be taken to ensure the safety of staff as well as campers.
Find A Way To “YES!”
Twenty years ago, as a new challenge-course facilitator, I was asked to take a group with special needs through some initiatives and low-course elements. I remember being stumped on choosing the activity line-up since there was limited information about the participants and an understanding of what they could do.
An Addition With A Mission
Camp Jewell was founded by the Hartford YMCA in 1901 on the banks of New Hampshire’s Lake Swanzey with three tents, cooking utensils, and a pair of rowboats. In the early 1950s, the search for a new home began with the final decision made to move to Colebrook, Conn. In 1955, the camp opened its doors in Colebrook for the first time.
Building A Retreat Business From The Ground Up
In 2018, my former camp director asked if I was interested in returning to work full-time for Camp Schodack, a privately owned summer camp in upstate New York, under the same family ownership for four generations. My initial excitement quickly turned to curiosity as I asked what role he wanted me to fill.
What Should I Be Doing Right Now?
“There has been an alarming increase in the number of things I know nothing about.”
Jane Seabrook, Furry Logic Wild Wisdom
The Case For Aluminum
For many camps, the signature element of the campus is the waterfront. And the heart of the waterfront is the dock system. The dock design determines where people can swim, how lifeguards will supervise, and how other elements of the waterfront (e.g., access to boats or location of slides, diving boards, or inflatables) are managed.
The Great Camp-Out
Camp Rockmont for Boys is nestled in a valley in Black Mountain, N.C. Since 1956, its 600 acres have been a place where the sound of children playing, growing, and camping echoes off the surrounding trees and mountains.