The Summer Camp Society Blog
Introducing the Intersectional Equity Scenario Seminar
This seminar series asks one important question- “What would you do in this situation to make sure that all participants’ safety is honored equally?” Might seem simple, but we expect messy answers because justice is never a clean process.
Reflections on Restorative Justice 101
“What do you do the rest of the year?”
A Flawed Justice System
Restorative Justice: Cornerstone of Equity at Camp
White is the default at camp: Let's work to change that
Black Lives Matter at Camp.
Yes, and: This statement needs to be viewed more as a call to action than as a declaration. Because the work of dismantling white supremacy culture at camp (and in our greater society) can’t simply be “accomplished”. In some spaces, or many spaces, it hasn’t started. This call to action drives members of the camp community to start and continue the process of building an equitable camp community where everyone can thrive. It’s recognizing that it’s a lot easier for white kids to thrive at (or even attend) most camps, because, as Nelson Strickland has noted, white is the default at camp.
The Little Book of Race and Restorative Justice - AT CAMP!
How can our camp generate income now when we don’t know what summer is going to look like yet?
BLACK LIVES MATTER.
In camping, I have been a part of (and led) many conversations about how to be sure that we, as white camp leaders, are nice. In other words, how to be “inclusive”, “accepting” and “welcoming.” This is how white camp leaders have largely approached racism in camping: Thinking if we are kind enough, and if we get more people of color involved with camp, “camp magic” will do the work and racism will not be a problem within our camp bubbles. We’ve been wrong.
Thoughts on Being Black at Camp
In 2008 my mom told me I was going to summer camp. I didn’t know anything about summer camp; I just knew she already signed me up and I was going. She wanted me to have the same experiences growing up that privileged white kids had. What started as one trial week at an overnight summer camp in Northern Michigan ended up changing my life.
Losing the Light When Summer's Ended
“We become special versions of ourselves in the right environment. One reason I’ve stuck with camp so long is that I often feel like the best version of myself when I do camp work. At the end of the summer, I see many people go out into the world and feel a bit like a rudderless ship. Without the camp atmosphere they are unable to completely access that person they were there.”
Unless we can ensure that each of us is safe at camp, we all have to stay home.
Canceling camp? What about the staff?
Together Apart: Reflections on Family Camp-at-Home
In a time when we need to be physically apart due to COVID-19, camper families were able to experience the joy and togetherness of camp straight from their home.
Your alumni need you, too
Virtual Bunks: Building Consistent Camper Connections Online
Indoor Scavenger Hunt Challenge
Making a Camp Internet Safety Video
Virtual Camp: Building Connections and Bringing the Camp Spirit
And, from one Camp professional to another: after a week of worrying about budgets, and revenue, and cancelations, and policies, and health departments, and international travel regulations and a ton of other things entirely out of my realm of control, running this little game was by far the most useful I’ve felt all week. It was also the most fun I had had.
