Focus
Camp Outlaw was started 8 years ago when my oldest son was 5. I searched
around and couldn’t find a camp that was group-focused, staffed by
people who really connect with children and help them with emotional and
physical challenges,
so I decided to start one. Originally my sisters and I took turns staffing
the camp along with some great friends. Now some of the original campers
are on staff.
I wanted the focus to be on enjoyment, challenges and caring interactions for
everyone- children and adults alike. This meant hiring lots of staff, (so no
one felt overburdened,) paying them well, and encouraging them to play right
along with the children, (not just sit and watch.) It also meant helping the
staff learn how to be friends with the campers, and still stay in charge (this
is a great skill to learn.) Early on one of the attributes I looked for in staff
people was the ability to be silly; now I understand that the ability to be patient
and flexible is really vital too.
While developing our daily routines I realized the days needed to be fun for
ME, so I now make sure we go to places near water (lakes, rivers, streams and
pools) or favorite spots from my childhood, (Swarthmore College woods, Westtown
Lake,) or do physically challenging activities (rock climbing, high ropes courses.)
I think it’s my family’s Quaker beliefs that help shape the
tenor of the camp day; care and concern for the individual, the group, the
environment;
sensing Greatness in each other, knowing that our differences are worth noticing
and celebrating; being reminded again and again that patience and forgiveness,
quietly applied, can move mountains.
“ I’m in heaven” is how one camper described a day Camp Outlaw spent at Snipes Farm. “During the school year I can’t wait for the weekends. During the summer I can’t wait for the week!” explains a veteran Outlaw’s relationship to Camp.