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Highlights from orientation and camp; Partner spotlights, new staff, a bittersweet goodbye, and upcoming programs! | Preparation for an Amazing Summer | |
Summer camp staff completed a comprehensive 7-day orientation. Key topics included relationship building and behavior management, with a strong focus on diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and justice. Staff members learned about implicit bias and microaggressions, as well as strategies for addressing and mitigating these issues. Sessions on dysregulation and group techniques provided insights into managing group dynamics and supporting campers effectively.
A crucial part of the training was dedicated to self-awareness and reflection, guiding staff on how to manage their contributions to challenging situations. Emphasis was placed on building and maintaining positive relationships with campers, turning discipline issues into opportunities for relationship-building conversations, and employing de-escalation techniques to ensure a safe and supportive environment for everyone.
This orientation set the stage for a fantastic summer, with our team well-prepared to create a nurturing, inclusive, and fun-filled experience for all our campers.
| Adventure Day Camp and Daybreak Day Camp | Swimming, bike riding, tennis, outside play, arts and crafts, drama and more! These are just some of the activities campers have been diving into during our second summer of holding camp at Nashoba Brooks School in Concord, continuing to serve campers from Greater Cambridge in a new environment. Campers and staff are enjoying the opportunities to get out into nature and explore the beautiful campus. Campers are making friends, building relationships, having new experiences, and making the most of summer! |  |  | |
Tending Your Yard, Tending The Earth is an inspiring non-profit dedicated to turning everyday backyards into eco-friendly havens. They teach young people about creating beautiful spaces that produce healthy food, support local wildlife, and fight climate change. They offer hands-on workshops and projects that make learning about the environment exciting and accessible.
Working with Tending Your Yard has empowered our campers by providing them with practical skills and a sense of responsibility through community gardening projects. They've developed a deeper connection to nature and an understanding of sustainable practices. Building and planting raised garden beds has fostered teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving abilities, while boosting their confidence, showing them the tangible impact they can make in their communities.
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CCAccess Update
Through CCAccess, our referral and scholarship program, we have helped facilitate camp placements for 128 campers already this summer, partnering with 45 camps to provide 336 weeks of camp!
A Camper Story
M. first came to us in 2022, when her single dad wanted to give her the opportunity to have a fun summer while he was working full time. At the end of that summer, Dad reported that M. “was enthusiastic every morning, went on fun and educational field trips, made new friends, and really wants to go back next summer!”
When summer 2023 was upon us and we reached back out to M., Dad told us that she was scheduled for spinal surgery and would likely not be able to attend camp that summer. We worked with both Dad and the camp to reserve a late summer spot for M. in hopes that her recovery was quick, but unfortunately, it did not work out, and she was devastated to miss camp. We are thrilled that M. is back at camp this summer and having a fabulous and special time!
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Cambridge Camping was honored to be a beneficiary of Taste of Cambridge!
Thank you to the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce for nominating CCA to be a beneficiary of this vibrant community event! Taste of Cambridge not only celebrates the diverse culinary talents in our city but also supports our mission to provide enriching summer experiences for underserved youth. The event's success and the generosity of its attendees directly contributed to creating lasting memories and opportunities for the children we serve.
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Welcome to Our Newest Program Team Members! | |
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Emma Sawyer, Program Assistant
Before starting at CCA, Emma gained valuable program experience at the Museum of Fine Arts, developing lesson plans and holding classes, fostering early artistic exploration and creativity in children. She brings her skills and experience creating a positive, welcoming, and inclusive environment for children and caregivers to camp, where she continues to promote the power of play through hands on experiences and is invaluable in ensuring all programs run smoothly. Emma has jumps in wherever needed to keep camp running smoothly!
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DeeDee Cetoute, Program Manager
DeeDee Cetoute, Cambridge Camping’s Program Manager, has deep roots in Cambridge, coming to us from a city run program where she provided comprehensive case management services to families in need, conducting assessments, developing individualized care plans, and coordinating access to necessary resources and support services. She brings valuable experience collaborating with community organizations, working with families and offering support, and running youth programs. Her positive energy creates an amazing experience for campers and families!
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A New Chapter
Dear Cambridge Camping Community,
It is with mixed emotions that we announce the retirement of our dear colleague and friend, Sara Whitford. Sara and I began our journey together back in 2008 at a nonprofit in Arlington, MA, both starting new chapters on the same day. When I moved to Cambridge Camping in 2016, I was overjoyed when Sara joined me shortly afterwards.
Sara quickly became the heartbeat of our office; a pillar of support for parents, campers, Board members, and staff. Her dedication and kindness have made a lasting impact on each of us. Beyond her professional contributions, Sara has been my trusted confidant and friend, and a source of strength through every challenge — from navigating organizational growth to weathering the storms of the pandemic.
As Sara embarks on this new chapter of her journey into retirement, we reflect on the countless ways she has enriched our lives. Her legacy of compassion, integrity, and hard work will continue to inspire us all.
Sara, you will be deeply missed, and your spirit will forever remain a cherished part of our community. Please join us me in expressing your heartfelt gratitude and best wishes as Sara moves forward to new adventures. Sara can be reached at s.whitford@cambridgecamping.org until September 27th, 2024.
Sincerely,
Sharon Zimmerman
Co-Executive Director
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A big thank you to our community partner, the Latter Day Saints (LDS) Church on Binney Street!
LDS generously provides Cambridge Camping with space to hold school-year programs, family/camper gatherings, and volunteer support to ensure logistics at the site run smoothly. School year programs provide campers with enrichment activities during Saturday Camps and School Vacation Camps. Social events provide essential opportunities for the camp community to come together to engage, connect, and celebrate. The Church's continued support is priceless, as space in Cambridge is hard to come by. We are deeply grateful for LDS's commitment to our shared mission.
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Fall Saturday Camp
Ages Served 5-13
Dates: Sep 28, 2024 - Nov 16, 2024
Hours: 9am-12pm
Location: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
65 Binney Street Cambridge
Transportation: Bus transportation provided
Program Cost $50.00
Our Saturday Camp program is about to kick off for the fall! Each fall, winter, and spring we offer eight weeks of Saturday programming for campers to continue building their connections and friendships within the camp community. The activities are developed with the child's interests in mind and may include art & craft activities, games, field trips, visits with community partners and public events, and more. This is a trauma-sensitive program promoting a caring and nurturing environment with a high staff to camper ratio. Transportation within Cambridge and Somerville is included as well as lunch and a snack.
Program dates include:
Saturdays: 9/28, 10/5, 10/12, 10/19, 10/26, 11/2, 11/9, 11/16
Please reach out to DeeDee Cetoute, Program Director, at deedee@cambridgecamping.org for information!
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CCA is Hiring an Operations and Communications Coordinator!
This unique role combines responsibilities in office management, development, administration, communications, financial data entry, and program coordination. The ideal candidate is an organized, tech-savvy, and creative individual who can juggle multiple tasks and roles while maintaining a high level of professionalism and enthusiasm. It’s an exciting position for someone who likes every day to be different, who thrives in a grass roots or start-up kind of culture and who seeks out solutions..
See the full listing and apply here!
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Stay tuned for Cambridge Camping's new website in the fall!
www.cambridgecamping.org
Please feel free to forward this newsletter to anyone who may be interested in Cambridge Camping's work, and thank you for reading!
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