Offer equally meaningful ways to enjoy programs

By Chris Thurber

“I don’t know the first thing about accommodations,” I said to my friend, the director of a camp that serves young burn survivors. “Yes, you do,” he insisted. “When I started walking a little faster, you did, too, Chris. I didn’t even have to say anything. We’re still going to complete the same footpath circuit, but we’re doing it at a pace that will get us to the dining hall before the meal starts.” I smiled, suddenly thinking about how often we make adjustments that help us succeed at challenging tasks. It’s smart. It’s strategic. And it’s what ethical accommodations do.

How to repair, replace, and remodel with a depreciation-recovery model

By Jeff Wadley

Imagine a camp where there is no need to fundraise for deferred maintenance, repairs, renovations, or replacements. That old truck that needs a clutch, the HVAC unit that needs a compressor, the program area that needs paint, and that zero-turn mower that is on its last lap—imagine ample funds to tackle these projects and more. Imagine further never having to put off replacing a sagging gutter, a 30-year-old roof, or a 50-year-old septic system due to insufficient funds. There’s no need to imagine the worst because another camp has cracked the code on preparing for the future with a depreciation-recovery model that can be implemented today. 

Key takeaways from group exercises in a post-pandemic world

By Jim Cain

I was invited to facilitate a series of workshops for a statewide, high-school leadership program. The participants included teachers, advisors, staff members, community volunteers, and students. It was the first time the group had gathered since the coronavirus pandemic, and after three years none of the students had attended in person before.