Weekly Update: July 23, 2023

Last week, we received an email from a first session parent. In it, she said, “What you all do is some of the most important work in this world: creating a place where young people think about becoming–and get experience being–a caring human and a positive member of a community. It really is life changing!” Later in the email she says, “Above all, he was exposed to such caring and thoughtful role models–this is perhaps the most lasting and beautiful impact. The magic of Sanborn. But of course it’s not just magic, it’s intentional planning, training, modeling by more experienced staff for newer ones. So, while I know there is thought and intention, and an excellent dose of fun in how you set the tone at camp, it really is magical too!”

We have been thinking quite a bit about this magical community and the amazing role models in it. In another email we received, we read, “I know SANBORN IS ONE ANTIDOTE to the struggle of raising youth in a swiftly shifting culture, and when my son exclaims he is part of a ‘brotherhood of outdoorsmen’ I hear him expressing a healthy, empowering, and vital sentiment about becoming a young man that is defined in relationship to others, the planet and himself. I think about the young counselors and ridge leaders as well, gaining so much from being involved in this vital work. And just as Sandy came home from WWII wondering how to save this planet and her people, the answer remains the same with higher stakes than ever. 75 years later!”

And the magic is in the “particular” and “aspirational” components of what we do and who we connect with at camp. In a recent (and outstanding) Washington Post article, author Christine Emba examines what that might mean for men and boys, and digs into why it is important to allow for the “particular”–meaning an understanding of male-specific experiences, not as a contrast to, but as a celebration of–new perspectives on femininity and masculinity. It is a fairly interesting article if you like to consider the power of this particularly aspirational camp experience for both Big Spring and High Trails campers.

The aspirational component is both program specific and relational. Tracy Hull, our friend and Scholarship Coordinator for the University Academy Foundation in Kansas City, came for a multi-day visit last week and commented how amazed she was by the breadth and scope of trips, activities and opportunities provided to our campers at camp. She was also incredibly impressed with our staff and their competence, strength and sense of purpose.

Because all of it is cooked into the mission and the model of possibility and growth. Each summer, campers are offered different and more challenging trips. Each summer, campers meet new staff members with varied life experiences and perspectives on the world. Each summer, campers try and do new activities with new people, and they discover more about how they can “become…a caring human and positive member of a community.”

Over the last few days, our Outbackers and Junior Counselors participated in leadership trainings to help them prepare for their role as mentors and models for younger campers. During the introduction of their day on the High Ropes Course, the Outbackers were asked about their first leadership experiences on their Unit Overnights and over half of them commented on how amazing it felt to be trusted as a leader by staff members and the other half appreciated the relationships they had built with both campers and the counselors on their trips. Later in the week, many JCs and some of the oldest, non-JC campers at High Trails were also on the High Ropes Course, and were asked (when getting ready to “zip” off the zipline) “What positive goal, outcome or possibility are you ‘zipping’ toward and what negative, non-useful, or limiting situation in your life are you ‘zipping’ away from?” Again, in many cases, these campers shared they were moving toward having more self-efficacy, self-confidence and seeking to surround themselves with people who will support them, “like my camp friends,” at home. Our staff were aspirational, too. Because of a small group of passionate, enthusiastic and highly multi-faceted staff members–High Trails offered its first “Rock ‘n Ride” all day–a horseback and rock climbing all day that was a HUGE hit with the campers.

This week, the magic will continue to happen when campers are out on every kind of trip and adventure you can imagine: CORE and SOLE trips (5 day, coed service learning and outdoor leadership trips for our rising 9th and 10th graders); Sanborn Junior horse trips, Tipi Camp, Quicks Homestead and Artsy Craftsy overnight adventures; Lone Vigils (independent, solo or duo backpacking trips); Nature Ninja Warrior, Lord of the Rings, NASA, Star Wars, Sports, Fishing and Spanish-themed Artisan Chef overnights; Canoeing, Horseback and Tech Rock Climbing 2 days and 14,000 foot mountain climbs; Disc Golf, Bat Caves, Fishing, Fairy Circles, River, Horseback and Find Your Way Back All Days; and our incredibly challenging, fun and exciting JC and Outbacker trips that climb mountains like Princeton, Shavano and Tabeguache, raft on the Arkansas River and hike deep into The Great Sand Dunes National Monument.

Campers will meet and share adventures with new staff members and campers from other living units. On each of these trips, campers will find individuals–both peers and staff–who they admire and who will support them–whether they are throwing a pot, a frisbee or climbing a mountain for the first time. This is the foundation for the aspirational culture that makes Sanborn Junior campers want to return for the month-long program; makes month-long campers want to become JCs and Outbackers; makes JCs and Outbackers want to become ‘ACs’ (Assistant Counselors); makes ACs want to return as Counselors; and makes Counselors want to return as Trip Leaders and Senior Leadership Team members and, inevitably, made us want to return in these roles as directors.

Your camper will have multiple supportive adult relationships at camp this summer and they will learn and grow from those intentional and magical interactions–while standing on a summit or tacking up a horse or while doing trail work together. Because of everything we do in a day, in a week or in a month…there is no way we can do it alone. So we learn, teach, coach, share leadership and take care of each other in this respectful community…and, magically, incredible things will happen.

We are looking forward to the week ahead!