Summer Camp Time

One of the joys of working the climbing wall at the Public Lands store in Cranberry Township, PA, is learning about their outdoor interests of the young explorers that climb the wall. As we outfit them with a climbing harness and shoes, I always have a few questions for them. Many of the conversations lead to their summer camp experiences at places like Lutherlyn, Seneca Hills, Crestfield, Kon-O-Kwee Guyasuta, Jumonville, and Redwing, to name a few.

As a young kid, I was excited each March when the Summer Camp brochures would come in the mail. Discussions would happen with my parents, and registration forms and deposits were sent in for a week or two of fun filled outdoor activities. A few years later, I returned to one of the Camps, Camp Crestfield in Slippery Rock, PA, to work as a summer staff member.

As I worked each summer, I witnessed the positive effect of the camp experience on hundreds of campers. It was a place for them to experience a variety of outdoor adventures, create relationships with a new group of people, and develop some lifelong friendships. They experienced activities like canoeing or hiking for the first time. Their outdoor awareness grew as they explored streams and forests. They encouraged each other when trying out new skills like spelunking at Laurel Caverns or Rock Climbing at McConnel Mills.?

The goal I have for myself this summer is to support a camp or two again. I would encourage you to do the same, whether it be by financially supporting a camper scholarship fund or volunteering some time on a camp improvement project. Even better, volunteer to share some of your outdoor passion with those at a camp. My xc skiing friends working with the Nordic Rocks program reminded me of this.