Camp Thoreau in Vermont
The goals of TIV are for each camper to:
- Enjoy camp life and to learn about her/himself and the changing world in which we live through new experiences shared with people from different nations, cultures, communities
- Gain an ability to actively participate in co-operative, democratic community living
- Participate in & appreciate the value of collective work
- Appreciate his/her own value within the camp community
- Learn how to make decisions for her/himself and as part of a group process
- Work towards overcoming prejudices such as racism, sexism, classism, and homophobia
- Bring his/her life closer to a respectful relationship with the environment.
- Experience new program activities & expand skill abilities in chosen program areas.
Anticipated Outcomes
Progress towards achieving these goals will be made if each camper:
- Learns to treat his/her peers and staff with respect, caring, and kindness
- Participates in work to improve the beauty or usability of the camp site
- Works with a group to plan & organize an activity for all or part of camp
- Chooses morning program activities for her/himself successfully, and follows through on those choices
- Participates in bunk and camp discussions on program and procedures
- Shares positive camp experiences with campers & staff of other races, religions, nationalities, and of the opposite sex
- Expresses satisfaction with his/her role in the camp community
- Participates in activities not usually done by her/his age group or sex due to sex-role (or other) stereotyping
- Is exposed to people and ideas from outside the camp community which represent changing trends in our world
- Participates in "outdoor living" activities (hiking, camping out, cooking out, nature study, etc.)
- Participates in at least one new program area each summer & demonstrates a higher skill level in at least one chosen program area, either during one or successive summers.
We must ALL keep these goals and objectives in mind as we plan and develop camp program, both before and during the summer. In our staff orientation sessions, there should be full discussion to make sure that everyone understands them.
There are many steps we can take to progress towards achieving our goals. During the summer, through ongoing staff & program evaluation, and through feedback from campers, we can measure our success. If we utilize off-season feedback from campers, staff, and parents, we can make changes to be even more effective next year.
We ALL have a major responsibility -- the creative education of a large group of people. We have made a serious commitment to them when we undertake to be their counselors; we must give it our full energies. We must be positive role models for the campers, in all aspects of our efforts to adhere to camps policies & procedures, and to fulfill camp's goals. Constructive criticism and praise are part of that support. If we can work together the results will be well worth the effort!
