Our Setting
Camp has four permanent campsites. Each campsite is home to a group of ten boys and two counselors,
who are referred to as Chiefs. The outdoor setting provides us with countless opportunities to teach,
explore, experience adventure, and promote a sense of well-being and tranquility.
Exploring and discovering the wonders in God’s creation often brings a boy courage to explore and discover new
ways of solving and overcoming the problems he faces in his life. Nature also has a way of bringing us face to
face with the natural consequences of our decisions. This makes a group more keenly aware of the
importance of personal responsibility.
Daily Living
Daily living at camp is kept at a pace where each individual member of the group can experience success.
Learning to take care of daily chores such as making a bed, cleaning the tent, and raking the trails in
the campsite build a sense of pride in each boy. All activities are planned by the group and their chiefs
so that each boy has a say in what is accomplished, thus developing a real sense of ownership. Being
able to design and build the structures in the campsite also becomes a highlight.
Two days a week the group cooks the meals in campsite that they helped to plan. The other days of the
week meals are served at the dining hall (Chuckwagon). Cutting wood, taking care of campsite, fishing,
and swimming are some other activities that a group can enjoy every day. When a boy is able to do all
these things alongside of a caring adult such as his chief he begins to develop a confidence that he
really can learn to overcome the difficulties he faces. The relationship between a boy and his chief
becomes the foundation for lasting change.
Positive Relationships
The positive relationship between a boy and his Chief is one of the most important components of Camp.
Commitment and depth of character are the two most important qualities of the young men who serve as
counselors at Camp. They come for a minimum of two years and serve as the primary role model for the
campers. When physical, emotional, and spiritual care are channeled through this one relationship,
in the context of daily living, the Chief is in a position to become a true mentor to a troubled boy.
The combination of mentoring by a Chief and positive peer pressure from a group leaves a life-long
impact on a boy. Each boy comes to Camp with an understanding of coming not only to help himself,
but also to help the other nine boys in his group.
Trip Opportunities
Groups also have the opportunity to plan and do extended field trips.
These are sometimes up to three weeks in length. Trips like these require a high level of
functioning from a group. In addition to the feeling of success and achievement, they also
help solidify the relationship between a boy and his Chief.
