Farm & Wilderness Blog

Thoughts from the Road: Camp Conferences in OH and VA

Written by Jarod Wunneburger | January 27, 2024

Timberlake Director "W" Speaks at two conferences and is inspired by one session in particular!

Columbus takes great pride in its Buckeyes, and Harrisonburg eagerly anticipates its first Bu-cees. While it wasn't my initial visit to Ohio or Virginia, it marked the first time I truly immersed myself in either state. I had the privilege of speaking at two American Camp Association (ACA) conferences: the Ohio Camp Conference and the Mid-Atlantic Camp Conference. Both events provided an excellent opportunity to connect with fellow camp professionals, reflect on summer 2024, and showcase the incredible work of Farm & Wilderness. 

 

Thoughts from the Road: Camp Conferences in Virginia and Ohio  

I have attended our "home turf" camp conference, the New England Camp Conference in Manchester, New Hampshire, multiple times, and spoke for the first time at the conference last spring. With nearly 800 professionals from Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island, it offers a diverse mix of camps. Visiting the Ohio and Virginia conferences felt akin to joining someone else's family reunion. Ohio boasted around 140 attendees, and the Mid-Atlantic had about 60, making them smaller and more intimate than what I'm accustomed to. Participants at both conferences remarked on my travels, with Ohioans noting the flatness of their state compared to Vermont and Virginians inquiring about the snow in Vermont. I was warmly received at both conferences, engaging in fascinating conversations throughout. 

 

Thoughts from the Road: Camp Conferences in Virginia and Ohio  

One session stands out and will be in my thoughts for a while. Carolyn Shuyler, a psychotherapist specializing in trauma who oversees a non-profit nature play and discovery center, delivered a keynote at the Mid-Atlantic conference titled "Nature as Co-Counselor." Initially, I wondered if the session would be relevant to Farm & Wilderness, given our core identity rooted in rugged outdoor living. Shuyler delved into the science of how nature influences our mood and outlook on life after starting with a few generic nature quotes. I found her exploration of why nature doesn't induce mental fatigue, unlike Zoom, captivating. According to Shuyler, it's because of a constant "soft fascination" with the nature around us. What resonated most was her assertion that "every child deserves nature connectedness." Simple, powerful, and very Farm & Wilderness-esque. She linked the development of nature connectedness to relationships, emphasizing that it's a connection built over time. Shuyler even shared research indicating that a person's sense of nature connection is four times more predictive of perceiving life as worthwhile than socioeconomic status. I was fully hooked. 

Her session, well-timed, connected various thoughts I've been having. One concerns the impact of climate change on Vermont, my home for several years. I've been pondering how Farm & Wilderness can further prepare our campers and staff for the future while being good neighbors in central Vermont. Although campers and staff live close to the land, I wonder what more we could be doing. Another consideration is Farm and Wilderness Conservation (FWC), the part of F&W managing our protected land, coordinating with local, state, and federal agencies, and engaging the surrounding community in educational events. Since its inception in 2022, we've been exploring ways to connect their work with our camps authentically and intentionally. Sustainability- and conservation-focused activities sometimes struggle to compete with traditional camp activities like rope swinging, building campfires, ax swinging, or goat milking. Despite being essential and existential work, it has yet to find a permanent place in our camps, given the numerous competing priorities. 

Integrating Sustainability and Conservation in our Camps 

Shuyler's session offers a potential path forward, leveraging existing Farm & Wilderness strengths to integrate FWC, conservation, and sustainability. Our programming emphasizes camper self-awareness, agency, and growth through learning skills like carpentry and rock climbing, contributing to the community through chores, and the crucial silent meeting time where campers simply sit in nature. Shuyler's compelling case underscores that positive affinity for nature is vital in fostering a connection and, ultimately, the urge to protect nature, beyond just learning the science. Noticing nature can cultivate a kinship view of the world, where we don't merely venture "into" nature, but rather, we are nature. A few initial ideas for this summer include: 

  • Incorporating arts programs to create clay faces for trees, promoting deep nature awareness in a playful way. 
  • Expanding Independence Day celebrations in session one to underscore our interdependence with nature. 
  • Allowing cabins to spend some rest hours lying in the forest instead of their bunks. 

These ideas represent just the beginning of a deeper and intentional integration in our camps. In my many years here, I've learned that such a connection doesn't stem from a one-off discussion or activity—it needs to be part of the camp's rhythm. I'm eager to make this happen this summer 

Final Thoughts 

Conferences can be hit-or-miss experiences. Some sessions are incredibly banal, while others are fascinating. Some camps and organizations are better aligned with our mission than others, and some conversations can be about the weather or the future of camps itself. These conferences were no exception. However, I almost neglected to mention my own talks! I spoke at both conferences on how to teach and systematize behavior management skills at camp. A passion of mine that is rooted in my time as a special educator, I firmly believe that teaching staff many, many management tools results in less yelling, reduced stress, and ultimately, the creation of epic experiences for campers. In a time when schools are embracing Social Emotional Learning (SEL), Mental, Emotional, Social Health frameworks (MESH), and trauma-informed practices, our work at Timberlake and Farm & Wilderness contributes to that conversation. The audiences were fantastic and we look forward to supporting other educational organizations in the future. 

On a final note, I may not comprehend Ohio's fascination with Buckeyes (apologies, Ohio!), but I wholeheartedly understand the obsession with Bu-cees. It's a colossal gas station destination, roughly the size of a Walmart, prevalent in the South. I always make it a point to visit one during the holidays in Texas, wandering the aisles of beaver-themed items (its mascot), the wall of beef jerky, the enticing aroma of their BBQ, and peculiar home goods. During my last visit, I couldn't resist acquiring a 6-foot tall inflatable beaver with a Santa hat—it will undoubtedly make an appearance at a Timberlake All-Camp-Game! Stay tuned for more blogs on future conferences, our work in the education space, and Season 2 of our podcast! 

 

W

Director of Camps, Director of Camp Timberlake