Why Red Oak Camp?
mission
TO DEVELOP CAMPERS’ INNER STRENGTHS THROUGH OUTDOOR EXPLORATION AND ADVENTURE.
OUR VISION
Red Oak Camp envisions a world in which all citizen campers, young and old, have a deep and lasting connection with the natural world and know their own inner strengths. Ultimately, our hope is that our campers will learn to embrace life as an adventure and know how to act compassionately and boldly in service to the greater good.
our core VALUES
· Courage
· Compassion
· Craftsmanship
· Self-Reliance
· Stewardship of the Natural World
OUR goals
Through our programs, we seek to:
· PROVIDE A SAFE AND FUN ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL
· PROMOTE INTELLECTUAL, PHYSICAL, SOCIAL, AND EMOTIONAL GROWTH
· ENCOURAGE DEEP EXPLORATION AND LOVE OF THE NATURAL WORLD
· FOSTER CURIOSITY AND A HUNGER FOR LIFELONG LEARNING
· CULTIVATE COMPASSION FOR OTHERS AND THE PLANET
· BUILD KEY INTERPERSONAL, PROBLEM-SOLVING, AND SELF RELIANCE SKILLS
OUR METHOD
The Red Barn/Chincapin Experience is founded upon the following:
CHOICE AND AUTONOMY
In order for children to develop fully, they must be allowed to make autonomous decisions in how they conduct themselves, how they solve problems, and how they spend their time. Rooted in the philosophical writings of the famous educator John Dewey, we provide numerous opportunities for our campers to make safe and appropriate choices throughout their day under the watchful eyes of our staff. We feel this to be especially true in today’s world where so many of our young people are over-scheduled and over programmed. As John Dewey writes, “The self is not something ready-made, but something in continuous formation through choice of action.”
AGE-APPROPRIATE CHALLENGE
We learn the most about ourselves in times of challenge and risk, not in times of comfort. Whether a camper is completing a ropes course, working out a conflict with a friend, completing a service project, designing a stool in our wood shop, or saddling a stubborn horse, we see challenge as the flame in which we forge strong and capable individuals. Our staff are trained extensively in how to coach campers as they navigate challenges at camp and in life. Again, as Dewey clarifies, “We only think when we are confronted with problems.”
MENTORSHIP
Throughout much of human history, apprenticeships were the way young people learned how to be in the world. We only hire great mentors as our counselors at the camps, as it is our belief that all young people benefit from the warmth, guidance, and light a mentor can provide. Our Junior Counselor Leadership Program is founded upon this important belief, a program where we mentor young people to be great mentors themselves. As one might expect, many of our staff members stay in touch with campers even when camp is not in session.
NATURE AS THE COMPREHENSIVE CLASSROOM
The Red Barn/Chincapin Experience uses the natural world as its dynamic classroom. Most of our lives are spent inside in boxes and rows: homes, elevators, classrooms, cars, etc. We strive each day to have our campers not only spend as much time outside as they can, but to commune and experience the natural world on its most basic level. In short, we want our kids to come home each night with dirty fingernails, muddy shoes, and great stories! As well, it is our firm belief that children will grow to love and protect our planet if they have an intimate relationship with all its complexity and richness. This will, in turn, hopefully empower and inspire them to act as stewards of our amazing planet.
