Another month, another opportunity to support an amazing organization in and around our communities.

This month, we’re thrilled to announce Camptown as our highlight. Camptown’s mission is to challenge, mentor, and teach youth about life through outdoor adventure and nature programs that help build confidence, character, and hope. The organization fosters values such as sharing, caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility as we help youth adjust to and cope with their changing world. They lead youth to a better path through camping and adventure programs in the great outdoors, where it is believed they learn skills such as leadership, teamwork, and conflict resolution. Participants develop an appreciation for the natural world, and place themselves in a beautiful environment that transcends the landscape of street and suburban life.

The organization’s values provide the principles which guide staff lives and form a foundation for working with youth. Their love of creation is the reason for their genuine interest in each youth and for their respect for the environment. They serve youth in a manner that enables all participants and organizations to feel comfortable. Their guiding principles are profound and the foundation of their daily work:

• People Matter — Camptown delivers their services in a professional, non-discriminatory manner regardless of background, race, religion, national origin, sexuality, gender identity, or socio-economic background. All people are created equally and are due respect, encouragement, and love.
• Honesty and Accountability — Camptown will be honest in their business practices and with the people they serve. They will hold themselves to the highest of principles for their behavior both at work and in their personal lives.
• Stewardship — They will use Camptown resources responsibly. They will also take care of the environment by practicing Leave No Trace principles in all of our programming.
• Professionalism — They will represent Camptown in a professional, positive manner in all of our interactions, correspondence, and communications with the public.
• Fairness — They will charge a fair price for their services. With the exception of fundraising events, their charges will reflect our actual costs.

Additionally, four key impacts the organization highlights in programs and track through evaluations are: teamwork, leadership, confidence, and respect

Camptown offers a wide variety of Youth and School Programs. Among them are the following:

Natural Wonders Day Camp – The best field trip for a Summer Day Camp group! Launched in 2008, this program allows larger groups of various ages to have an introductory nature experience. Held at Fort Benjamin Harrison State Park, Natural Wonders Day Camp consists of a variety of outdoor activity stations, allowing the students to explore outdoor recreation in a safe environment. Activities include fishing, nature hike, games, and canoeing.

Wilderness Adventures - Camptown’s Wilderness Adventures take place in the great outdoors. A Wilderness Adventure begins with pre-trip training classes ranging in length from 1/2 hour to two hours. Camptown Staff will come to a group’s location and facilitate an after-school or evening training class. Class topics include wilderness survival, backcountry skills, equipment, environmental stewardship, team building and leadership skills. These programs are led by experienced wilderness guides who make class time interactive and fun. After completing the class time, groups will spend time in nature. This can range from a day hike to a full week in the wilderness. Camptown’s programs are customizable. Upon request, Camptown staff will develop a program unique to your group’s specific needs and desired outcomes.

Trailblazers – Camptown’s programs for youth with differing abilities are designed to help youth look beyond their disability and see that they can do anything they put their mind to; to try things that they do not think they can accomplish and succeed. Activities are planned with each group’s abilities in mind so that everyone will succeed.

Service Projects – Camptown can customize a service project to a group. Whether interested in an environmental project removing invasive plant species, or trail construction or maintenance, or are looking to help people within the community by sorting clothing or providing services to people in need, Camptown can provide all of the planning and transportation. They help you to enable youth to better serve communities and become good citizens.

Youth Leader Adventures – Camptown’s Youth Leader Adventures program is designed for youth who choose to further develop their leadership, decision making and professional skills. This program will expose youth to recreational activities, professional development opportunities, and leadership experiences. These young leaders will receive specific training in areas such as First Aid/CPR, Leave no Trace Outdoor Ethics, Leadership, and backcountry camping skills.

Spiritual Missions – This mission allows participants to experience God’s love in a life changing way. Developing a sense of purpose and identity are crucial to a young person’s spiritual growth and overall well being. These experiences will expose participants to the idea that life on earth is a blessing given by our creator and how to live life beyond our own self interest. This area focuses on what it means to serve one another.

Camptown also offers a variety of School Programs CCHA encourages you to learn more about.

Looking for another way to support the organization? CCHA invites you to participate in Camptown’s upcoming Dinner & Silent Auction, which will be held November 12, 2021 at the 502 Event Center, in Carmel. To attend, register here and learn more about what you can expect at the event. CCHA is proud to be the evening’s dessert sponsor.

CCHA also encourages you to volunteer or donate.