Camp Howe is an inclusive summer camp located in Goshen MA... We are a camp for all youth!
Camp Howe goes beyond the realm of teaching skills such as kicking a soccer ball, learning a new swim stroke or making a masterpiece in arts and crafts. What we excel at, is having each child learn to accept themselves just as they are – strengths and weakness - and build their confidence and esteem that helps them build on these strengths and weaknesses alike. Learning to genuinely value those around them and appreciate them “just as they are” gives them confidence to break outside their own comfort social zone and engage in meaningful interactions with individuals very different from themselves, both in and outside of camp, to open up a new world for them. We believe that camp is more than summer child care but rather, is a community that helps make the greater world a better place through understanding, acceptance and appreciation of the barriers that typically exist.
Our strongest asset is the community that has been established, one that is accepting of differences in others. This forms the basis of all that we do and forms a community that truly embraces and values the differences in each other. In a community of this kind, true life lessons can be experienced, learned, practiced and understood.
The mission of Camp Howe is to offer high‐quality, accredited, educational and recreational camping program and facilities to all youth and adults in a formative experience which helps to prepare them with basic life‐skills involving team work, leadership, decision making, resource management, self‐awareness, coping, communicating and relating to others. Our organizational goals are to create supportive environments for culturally diverse youth and adults to reach their fullest potential by:
• Creating a safe, enjoyable outdoor learning experience,
• Providing an opportunity to develop leadership skills social and group living while fostering creativity, independence and responsibility,
• Offering a choice of age appropriate programs that build confidence and self‐esteem,
• Encouraging an understanding and respect for the environment, animals, agriculture, and natural resources,
• Building an appreciation and acceptance of the differences in people, and developing a caring community.
To achieve this, Camp Howe provides age appropriate recreational activities to assist youth in gaining valuable life skills such as
• Accepts differences in others
• Adapts to change
• Develop new skills
• Does better with group living skills
• Has greater appreciate for the outdoors
• Has increased self‐esteem
• Has more willingness to try new things
• Is more confident
• Is more responsible and helpful
• More independent
• Skills to take care of self
• Takes care of his/her own things
• Takes leadership role
