July 27 - August 16, 2008
Register Online beginning Feb. 1
The greatest tradition in the 83-year history of Rowe Camp is Senior High Camp. Tradition is a stream of experience, and you can step into that stream this summer. The water is soothing, but the stream has a wild and vital side.
Each day, campers participate in a wide variety of amazing workshops on topics such as dreams, identity, spirituality, body image, addiction, sexuality, grief and loss, and politics. In the evenings, campers join the whole community for events like talent shows and large-scale games or dances and rituals. At the end of each evening, we all go to Chapel for a time of sharing readings, songs, and reflections about the things that touch us most deeply. It is a time when we can choose to express, or simply feel, our greatest joys and most profound hurts in an atmosphere of acceptance and safety.
The Senior High program staff brings a diversity of experience, as well as a love of and respect for teenagers. They are present to ensure safety, provide emotional support, share their talents and skills, listen without judgment, and lead by example. They are committed to coming together and being very intentional about building a community in which all people are treated with dignity and respect.
By making workshops, chapels, and even sleep optional, we’ve found that campers consistently go home from camp with a stronger commitment to taking responsibility for their lives and with increased self-confidence, self-respect, and acceptance of others, including brothers, sisters, and parents. The Rowe Spirit offers a magical and compelling sense of belonging, warmth, growth, intensity, and love.
Coleen Murphy is a writer, mother, punk rocker, and advocate for young people. She lives in New Orleans, where she works with the local Unitarian Universalist congregation and the Common Ground Health Clinic. After working with UU camps all over the southeastern U.S. for ten years, she settled in at Senior High Camp in 1996.
John Kleber is a musician, artist, and former camper, Spirit, and staff member. He also served as chair and youth advisor of Star Island’s conference. In his free time, he runs his own video technology consulting service in New York City.