Maddy is Moving!
Hiya Stomping Ground family,
You are part of a community that truly has the power and potential to change the world.
That is the reason I came here in the first place and I still believe it to my core.
When I first arrived at Stomping Ground four years ago, I knew absolutely no one. I flew across the country to work as a cabin counselor for a summer, not knowing how profoundly it would impact my life. I couldn’t have imagined back then that just two years later, I would be packing up my car and moving my entire life across the country to make Stomping Ground my home year-round. This place has shaped me in ways I never thought possible and helped me grow far beyond my expectations. Having the opportunity to live and work here has been some really beautiful chaos.
To the campers
I love you. You are going to change the world in so many extraordinary ways. Dream big! Keep trusting yourself and using your imagination and building connections with people who are different from you. Whether you’ve been coming to camp for years or this was your first summer, you belong here and you have the power to show others they belong too.
It’s good to be together <3
To the families
Thank you for your trust. I am so grateful for the opportunity to get to know you and your kids—learning about what makes their eyes light up, how they connect with others, and what kind of support they need to thrive. Thank you for trusting us with the thing that is most precious to you. Your commitment to Stomping Ground and your unwavering support makes everything we do possible. You could choose any sleepaway camp, but your dedication to our mission and the way you show up to support us is why we can continue to make a difference. Thank you for everything.
To the staff
You have changed my life. Seeing how hard you work to create magic for kids and how much you love and care for each other has shown me that a more empathetic world is possible. I am in awe of your capacity for difficult situations and your willingness to show up ALWAYS as your whole authentic selves. You make Stomping Ground magic, this place would not be possible without you. I have learned SO much from you about how to move through conflict and lean into the silly and build beautifully raw connections. I love you big time. Keep changing the world.
To the larger SG community
I am so lucky to have gotten to know so many of you and learned so much along the way. Your dedication to Stomping Ground is felt deeply by everyone—the year-round team, the summer staff, and the campers. Your capacity to believe in the power of community, conflict, and play inspires us to keep pushing boundaries. You have a huge impact, even if you only donate once a year or have come to one event, you are part of the SG community that together is changing the narrative and inspiring a more radically empathetic world.
So, what’s next? I’m moving to Portland, Oregon!!!
I grew up amidst the snowy mountains and lush evergreen trees of Washington state, and I feel a strong pull back to the Pacific Northwest. While I have cherished my time out east, my heart is leading me back to the land and people I love. I’ll be living solo for the first time ever and diving into many outdoor adventures. Though I don’t yet know what my work will look like, I’m excited for this new chapter and immensely grateful for the community and skills I’ve gained at camp. I hope to find a job that aligns with my passion for building more curious and empathetic communities.
What does this mean for camp?
I’m not going away just yet! I am still here to answer all your questions, hear your campers stories from the summer, or even dream big about how camp can continue to change the world. Laura is always just a phone call away too. However, I will be moving on soon, which gives camp an incredible opportunity to find someone new, who I know is going to bring so much love and commitment to this place.
READ more in Laura’s latest blog post: Camp is hiring!
We’re looking for a fiercely kind, wickedly organized, and immensely dedicated person to join the year-round team. If you know someone who fits this description please let us know!
Laura’s reflections on transition and opportunity.
With endless curiosity, boundless gratitude, and all the love in the world,
Maddy
