Youth Camp
Suspended for 2024
Suspended for 2024
Dear Youth Camp parents, families, and staff:
We write to you with deep care for our youth as we consider making changes to our youth camp at Ferry Beach. As you know, Robi Altamari, has volunteered at Different Drummers starting in 2005 and worked for three years as the youth Camp Coordinator. Cathy Stackpole has been our Executive Director for a dozen years and has a long history with youth as both a youth ministry director and many years with the Girl Scouts. Dan Harper is an educator, minister, and
long-time volunteer with youth at Ferry Beach. We can tell you firsthand that our camps have positively impacted thousands of youth over the last two decades. All involved are deeply grateful to the many, many volunteers and the families who made this possible.
Upon the request of Cathy Stackpole, Rev. Dan Harper and Robi have been researching best practices in youth camps and discovered that the standard of care is rapidly changing, and youth programming providers now have significantly greater responsibilities than even just five years ago. Many state legislatures are considering, or have already passed, legislation requiring more stringent safety requirements for all youth programs. Parent expectations are also dramatically shifting around safety as is noticed in a recent trend that some parents are no longer allowing sleepovers. A highlight of a conference by the American Camp Association recently was understanding that taking both “custody and care” of youth (instead of just “care” like on our multigenerational conferences) results in a significant difference in the amount of responsibility for the sponsoring organization.
After this preliminary review of the emerging expectations and responsibilities, Rev. Dan Harper and Robi recommended to our Executive Director that Ferry Beach take a year off from Youth Camp programming so that a full and thorough process can be explored regarding how to offer safe youth programming that includes overnights if parents are not on campus.
Dan was involved in 2003 when this pause at Ferry Beach yielded the incredible programs our youth have loved being a part of, and we believe it is again needed. We recognize that this will be very upsetting to our current Youth Camp participants, but their well-being and safety is our priority.
We are writing to you today, with the news that we will suspend youth camp for the 2024 season. We feel strongly that a Task Force of interested knowledgeable people to explore new youth programs that meet the interests and safety needs of today’s children and teens is warranted.
In the meantime, we recommend that the current families who were planning to sign-up for youth camp consider joining us for one of the multigenerational family conferences. Rev. Dan and Robi will be coordinating and participating in the 4th of July week conference which will include innovative multigenerational programming such as theater, music making, ecojustice, and art plus an opportunity for anyone of any age to honor a transition in their life (such as graduations and empty nesting) with a self-designed bridging experience.
We also have a fun and very affordable Work Week that includes multigenerational activities. Camping in the Grove or staying in a dorm is also an affordable way for families to experience Ferry Beach and enrich your family time.
While we know that this pause will be met with great disappointment, we feel it is essential to address the safety of our youth and the best ways to meet the changing needs of youth through our summer conferences. If you would like to be considered for the task force, please reach out to either Robi Altamari or Cathy Stackpole.
Thank you for your understanding and your support of our children and youth at Ferry Beach.
Sincerely,
Cathy Stackpole
Executive Director
Dan Harper
Minister, Volunteer, former Ferry Beach Camp Staff & Task Force Member
Robi Altamari
Volunteer, Former RE Director, Ferry Beach Youth Camp Staff & Task Force Member
We write to you with deep care for our youth as we consider making changes to our youth camp at Ferry Beach. As you know, Robi Altamari, has volunteered at Different Drummers starting in 2005 and worked for three years as the youth Camp Coordinator. Cathy Stackpole has been our Executive Director for a dozen years and has a long history with youth as both a youth ministry director and many years with the Girl Scouts. Dan Harper is an educator, minister, and
long-time volunteer with youth at Ferry Beach. We can tell you firsthand that our camps have positively impacted thousands of youth over the last two decades. All involved are deeply grateful to the many, many volunteers and the families who made this possible.
Upon the request of Cathy Stackpole, Rev. Dan Harper and Robi have been researching best practices in youth camps and discovered that the standard of care is rapidly changing, and youth programming providers now have significantly greater responsibilities than even just five years ago. Many state legislatures are considering, or have already passed, legislation requiring more stringent safety requirements for all youth programs. Parent expectations are also dramatically shifting around safety as is noticed in a recent trend that some parents are no longer allowing sleepovers. A highlight of a conference by the American Camp Association recently was understanding that taking both “custody and care” of youth (instead of just “care” like on our multigenerational conferences) results in a significant difference in the amount of responsibility for the sponsoring organization.
After this preliminary review of the emerging expectations and responsibilities, Rev. Dan Harper and Robi recommended to our Executive Director that Ferry Beach take a year off from Youth Camp programming so that a full and thorough process can be explored regarding how to offer safe youth programming that includes overnights if parents are not on campus.
Dan was involved in 2003 when this pause at Ferry Beach yielded the incredible programs our youth have loved being a part of, and we believe it is again needed. We recognize that this will be very upsetting to our current Youth Camp participants, but their well-being and safety is our priority.
We are writing to you today, with the news that we will suspend youth camp for the 2024 season. We feel strongly that a Task Force of interested knowledgeable people to explore new youth programs that meet the interests and safety needs of today’s children and teens is warranted.
In the meantime, we recommend that the current families who were planning to sign-up for youth camp consider joining us for one of the multigenerational family conferences. Rev. Dan and Robi will be coordinating and participating in the 4th of July week conference which will include innovative multigenerational programming such as theater, music making, ecojustice, and art plus an opportunity for anyone of any age to honor a transition in their life (such as graduations and empty nesting) with a self-designed bridging experience.
We also have a fun and very affordable Work Week that includes multigenerational activities. Camping in the Grove or staying in a dorm is also an affordable way for families to experience Ferry Beach and enrich your family time.
While we know that this pause will be met with great disappointment, we feel it is essential to address the safety of our youth and the best ways to meet the changing needs of youth through our summer conferences. If you would like to be considered for the task force, please reach out to either Robi Altamari or Cathy Stackpole.
Thank you for your understanding and your support of our children and youth at Ferry Beach.
Sincerely,
Cathy Stackpole
Executive Director
Dan Harper
Minister, Volunteer, former Ferry Beach Camp Staff & Task Force Member
Robi Altamari
Volunteer, Former RE Director, Ferry Beach Youth Camp Staff & Task Force Member
Our mission at Ferry Beach is to awaken hearts to explore, grow and renew the spirit of universal love.
We work by creating programing and events in the areas of Arts & Culture, Education, Spirituality, Sustainability, Personal Growth and Justice & Action.
We work by creating programing and events in the areas of Arts & Culture, Education, Spirituality, Sustainability, Personal Growth and Justice & Action.
