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Veteran Camp Professionals Share Their Stories
From the very beginning, the camp experience has been unique - teaching lessons and creating community in a way that reaches almost everyone, and touches a camper's soul. Camp memories last a lifetime, and often grow stronger with time.
So what makes camp special? Some would argue that it's the combination of experiential education and sense of accomplishment; others might point to the authentic relationships that camps help foster - and this is all true. However, the people behind camp - the folks who work hard day in and day out to create intentional, beneficial programs - play a huge role in making camp a life- changing experience.
The camp professional is an integral part of the camp experience. As leaders, they are more than the people who order the food, hire the staff, and determine the schedule. They are the guiding light for the entire camp community. Their efforts and vision help carve the camp experience out of cabins, lakes, fields, and equipment. No one is born knowing intrinsically how to do this - it is a process and a journey.
Recently, ACA interviewed some longstanding camp professionals to discover what unique journeys shaped them and their view of the camp experience.
J. Grant Gerson
Calamigos Star C Ranch, Agoura, California
J. Grant Gerson ran a primitive camp for the Los Angeles YMCA at Crystal Lake, and in 1947 he decided to leave and start his own camp. Without the funds to start a permanent camp, he decided to start a travel camp - the Calamigos Covered Wagon Travel Camp ran for two years.
After some searching, he found some property for sale at a ranch. He felt that it was a beautiful area for a camp - fifteen acres, a good well, and a phone number. He called the owner immediately, and made an offer. Liking the idea of a children's camp, the gentleman accepted the offer. And Calamigos Star C Ranch was born.
The name Calamigos had long been a favorite of Grant's. It was named after an exchange that happened between Captain Freemont Scott and an Indian chief. Scott was leading a group of settlers westward, and when his scout informed him that they...