Camping with a purpose

Steve’s Camp aims to teach life skills

By Anahi Rodriguez | Manor Ink

Livingston Manor, NY – Say the words “summer camp” and most people think of arts-and-crafts and playing games all day. However, Steve’s Camp, located in this hamlet, is so much more than that. The facility gives campers the opportunity to learn problem solving and leadership skills, to deal with emotions and conquer obstacles. Steve’s Camp has many different programs that can spark campers’ interests.

The camp was founded by Steve Kessner in 2010. Thanks to donations and sponsors like apparel retailer Bombas and outdoor outfitter Cotopaxi, campers at Steve’s Camp attend summer sessions for free.

Steve’s Camp focuses on bravery and leadership skills, such as building camper confidence by having them climb an obstacle, or by encouraging them to talk about their feelings when interacting with others during “Mindful Mondays.” Wilderness lessons teach the kids how to problem-solve and survive in the woods. The camp’s unique culinary farm allows campers to include food in their meals that they themselves helped grow.

Steve’s Camp has several sessions throughout the summer that are designed for different age groups. “We’re setting the stage for the younger girls to really find themselves, perform acts of bravery and push themselves out of their comfort zone,” said Destiny Colon, director of operations. She was referring to the Empowerment Camp for girls in grades 6 to 8. Some of the campers’ favorite programs and activities are the high-ropes courses, the zip line and the rock climbing unit. Many campers are afraid of those challenges at first, but once taught they definitely have fun with it.

In the Empowerment Camp for boys, the focus is on recognizing and dealing with emotions. Boys are encouraged to talk about their feelings and how to handle them. Taylor Schneider, director of activities, said, “I think, in society, boys are always encouraged to be brave in a physical sense. But it’s OK to be sad or to be angry. They’re just emotions – we have to handle them differently.”

Cat Perry is the camp’s farm director. The garden produces a combination of flowers, vegetables and herbs. “Whatever we produce, we make it work – in food, in tea, in medicine or in crafting,” explained Perry. Some of the teas are made with strawberry leaf, lemon verbena and camomile. They also get over a dozen eggs a day from their resident chickens.

For more information about Steve’s Camp, or to make a donation, visit stevescamp.org or email info@stevescamp.org. No donation is too small, and all donations are appreciated.