Stories & Testimonials
These testimonials are taken verbatim from camper and parent feedback forms. Campers' creative spelling and grammar have been edited only for clarity.
From Campers…
What was the most fun thing that happened to you at Indian Brook?
“Too many – reaching the top of Mt. Killington, I’ve never really hiked before, and never reached the top of any mountain, kybo parties, working in the kitchen, eating, swimming, too many to count.”
“Nothing at IB was most fun for me. I liked all of it.”
“It’s hard to hunt down one thing that was the “most fun” or “the best”. I just enjoyed the freedom – togetherness – the feeling of security – independence – the whole shebang.”
“My apprenticeship (creative arts) I got to spend a lot of time with my already friends and met a couple new people. I got to learn a lot about the wall and using the pottery wheel with a counselor who I really liked.”
“Barn & gardens & the whole camp experience because I loved the Pigs and ducks but all camp is just so amazing.”
What’s the most difficult thing that happened to you?
“One of the most difficulist things that happened to me at camp is, trying to figure out what I should do in free time, because there are always so many fun things to do at camp.”
What do you miss most about camp?
“Singing every morning, country Fair day, friends, apprenticeship, making new friends, interdependence day, barn chores, having cabin afternoons and lodge night, climbing the wall, dressing up w/clothes from the camper library, being crazy and no one really cares --- the Freedom.”
“Everything; the fair, the cows, the Hobart, the meeting circle, my cabin Annapurna, etc. In particular, I miss the silence in the night, the love all around, the togetherness, the freedom (I go to a school with a dress code, so I’m big on freedom), the fires, the trips and the whole feeling that comes exclusively with IB.”
If you wanted your friend to come to camp, what would you tell him/her parents to convince them to send your friend?
“I would tell their parents that F+W is chicken soup for the soul. I would say that camp is a mixture fun & growing. Camp helps to develop a sense of other people - & still feels like home.”
Tell us about the most memorable thing you learned.
“The most memorable thing I learned cannot be put in words. A whole nother sence awakened – a sense of happiness, togetherness, hardcoreness, understanding of the human mind – the whole shebang.”
What are you most looking forward to next summer at camp?
“E V E R Y T H I N G ! ! ! ! ! - Especially Banquet & FAIR!”
“I am looking forward to more swimming, learning more things, and seeing friends, and making. And, always having more and more fun, because that’s what life is all about.”
“Some things that I am definitely looking forward to would be things such as the food, the animals, and the people.”
From Parents…
What has changed in your child’s behavior? Do you like the changes?
“Everything was perfect from our point of view. I feel so lucky for my kids!
She has changed in her willingness to take on work that benefits others besides herself.”
“She has a terrific sense of humor. She does chores at home w/o being asked. She is more confident and less concerned about being accepted by her peers. She is more independent and willing to try new things + taste new Food! She continues to grow in her ability to enter new situations easily.”
“My daughter came home so at ease with herself, confident, cheery, full of enthusiasm for all things she did and people she met at camp. I loved how much more open and adventurous she was about everything, from food to physical activity.”
“For both my girls: F&W provides for them a safe environment where they will experience and be challenged in many aspects. Every year I see them getting more and more comfortable with their new friends, counselors etc…Camp gives them a feeling of going back home. Every year I watch them becoming more and more comfortable with the structures and dynamics at camp..”
“My daughter came home more generous, in the spirit of cooperation, and more capable all around.”
“My daughter has always come back with a strong sense of herself and the world around her. She is more aware of respecting other cultures and individual behavior.”
“She feels more “adult”-- connected to counselors as well as campers alike.”
“She has more confidence overall and feels great about the friendships she develops at camp. Consequently socializing is easier for her as she tends to be shy. My child had a wonderful summer – she grew more confident & responsible.”
Were you satisfied with the quality of the care, counseling, and teaching demonstrated by the counselors and senior staff this summer? Please explain.
“Yes – I loved the how wonderfully she was cared for by her counselors. They looked for and appreciated my daughter’s strengths and made her feel special.”
“Yes, my girls retuned from camp with the perception that the adults at camp were friends of theirs. They told many anecdotes of campers and counselors alike. In communications with staffers it was obvious that they truly paid attention to the individual characteristics of the girls and got to know who they really are.”
“Yes. I didn’t get to know much of the staff but in all of my conversations and requests for information, the staff were friendly, sensitive, informative and helpful.”
What in-camp activities did your child report to you? Was she satisfied with the in-camp program? Are you?
“The Fair was a highlight for my daughter. She also told me about her knotting workshop, silent meetings, chores, the animals – milking the cow and many other things.”
“Rocks and ropes, Cocoa house (drama), mad hatter party, kitchen, swimming, welding, other power tool use! Singing, gardens, trips, fair prep……Banquet.”
“She spoke about her time with the animals, primarily and also referenced enjoying canoeing. She loved CoCo House in particular and her time socializing with the other campers.”
“The girls loved everything from rising at the crack of dawn for barn chores to learning to use hammer and nails.”
“My daughter enjoys new challenges offered to her, like last year canoeing trip she took with some at the boys camp. She enjoys all the activities at camp, and this year her apprentice experience with ropes, she loved very much.”
What out-of camp activities (camping, service trips, farm trips) did your child tell you about? Did she enjoy them?
“The 3 day Killington/Pico/Shrewsbury backpacking trip was a highlight for her. It was difficult but a great accomplishment for her.”
The Quaker ethic is the foundation of our philosophy and program. What effect, if any, did this foundation have on your daughter? Do you have any suggestion as to how this ethic can be better amplified at camp?
“My daughter loves silent meeting, group focus, singing, giving thanks, traditions and simple living.”
