The New Campus-- Already a Home Away from Home
This summer was the first at Camp Stomping Ground’s new location near Saratoga Springs. It is amazing to have a space to call our own, a forever home that we can shape into anything we can imagine. So much hard work has already been put into this space, thanks to countless hours of labor, love, and support from so many Camp Stomping Ground allies. Here are a few reactions to the new space from campers and staff members, when asked the question, “What do you like most about our new campus?”
Amelia, Camper: “I really like this new camp-- it has the full Stomping Ground energy because it doesn’t need to be shared with anybody.”
Renee, Counselor: “Electricity in the cabins! I love the barn. A multilevel space where parallel play can happen. It’s cool that boating will be across the road. It will be more of an adventure for kids. We also get to have established little libraries with books of interest for queer kids.”
Elliot, Camper: ”The mezzanine. It’s a great hangout place. You can do circle games there and just talk.”
Eleanor, Camper: “How cozy the couches are on the mezzanine. And I like the woodchip paths that go between the villages.”
Fern, Camper: “I love the grove. It’s peaceful in the forest-- nice to hang out with people and just enjoy nature.”
Anna, Camper: “I feel like this camp is a second home because there is a place for everything.”
Tiara C, Camper: “If you want a space to chill, go to the barn. And the stage is super cool.”
Laniyah, Camper: “Flush toilets!”
Jake, Counselor: “I think the barn is super cool. It’s like a space you’d see in a Nickelodeon TV show. I definitely like the clean and well-built cabins and bathhouse. And campers love the gaga pit.”
Indigo, Camper: “How big the cabins are! And I like the foosball and carpetball.”
Ned, Counselor: “I think the barn is amazing. I love the fact that we actually have a stage. I also like the amphitheater a lot. It allows for a lot of people, and it’s lakeside, so there’s a nice view. Having 2 fire pits will make the ceremonies there really special.“
Seno, Counselor: “How much space we have! I love how open it is. And the showers are so much nicer than other camps I’ve been at!”
Jaxon T, Camper: “I like foosball in the barn. And gaga.”
Louise, Camper: “I like the barn-- it’s so colorful. It’s a great place to hang out during thunderdome. And the garden. You can take stuff from there to eat if you are with a counselor. I like that the adventure playground is bigger.”
Eros, Camper: “I love all the windows in the dining hall. It feels very open and welcoming. It’s swanky! And I love the colors in the barn.”
Dineisha, Camper: “The makerspace is the best place I’ve ever seen! There’s so much stuff! This camp is a home away from home for me.”
Alice, Counselor: “The most wonderful thing is that we can expand the possibilities for what we can do for campers. We can physically build on the metaphors about the ways in which kids can impact camp.”
These are just some of the reactions to the new location from our current campers and staff. We can’t wait to share it with all those to come. And we look forward to making more dreams come true in this fabulous space!
