Smart phones, computers, tablets, gaming systems and even the lowly television…children today are bombarded by technology. It brings the world to their fingertips. They can learn about far off continents, cultures and climates from the comfort of the family room. But what about their own backyards? How do we get kids off the couch and out the door?
Research shows that children need to unplug and connect to nature. Spending time outdoors benefits kids in a myriad of ways. They get exercise. Once removed from over-stimulating devices beeping and flashing, they relax and focus, which can decrease stress and anxiety. They get some sun, a great source of Vitamin D. They interact with other people, and not through a device. Hands-on exploration of their outdoor world gets kids excited about learning in a way that computers cannot.
We know they need to unplug, but where and how? Summer camp, of course. And not just any camp, Red Barn Camp for boys and Chincapin Camp for girls in Kirtland – a stone’s throw from greater Cleveland.
Red Barn and Chincapin have been connecting kids to nature for nearly 70 years. Boys and girls participate in outdoor activities including canoeing and kayaking, archery and riflery, ropes course and climbing, swimming, sports and hiking. There’s down time to relax with arts and crafts and wood shop. Our nature and science program is one of the best, developed over the years by several of the region’s most respected science teachers. Laura Stockhaus runs the equestrian program at Chincapin, where girls (and boys too) learn English riding and horsemanship.
Red Barn and Chincapin campers learn to be stewards of our environment, whether they’re pulling invasive species on our own 87 acres of fields and forests, or helping build a culvert at nearby Holden Arboretum. Whatever the day brings, our campers go home happy, and with a sense of pride that comes from challenging themselves to tackle new activities – or improve skills previously learned, and from setting and accomplishing goals.
What else have we got that other camps don’t? A dedicated staff, many who began as campers decades ago, just like our new Executive Director, David Faulstich. Red Barn and Chincapin are thrilled to welcome David back home. David has been part of our camp family since 1994, when he was a camper. Eventually, he worked through the counselor ranks and became Director of our overnight program for five years, ending in 2011. Now David returns after honing his outdoor education skills by building and managing ropes courses and zip-lines. At the helm, David is focusing on providing the highest quality outdoor experiential learning program for our campers.
In three short weeks, our Red Barn and Chincapin Camps will open the gates into a summer with nature. For our campers and counselors, it will be the best summer ever.
