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A brief profile of our overnight camper population

General profile of a Camp Wing/Duxbury Stockade Camper

Approximately 80% of the children at Camp Wing/Duxbury Stockade live below the poverty line. While a number of parents or guardians sign their children up for camp directly, many children are referred to camp through organizations such as Big Brothers/Big Sisters programs, the Boys and Girls’ Clubs, Department of Social Services (DSS) and other community partners.

The average camp Wing/Duxbury Stockade Campers:

• Are virtually independent with regards to daily living skills

• Have the social skills to be part of a larger camp community (approximately 200 campers) without becoming “lost” or anxious

• Can build esteem over time by working towards a larger goal, i.e. recognition for improvement in archery over a three-week session

• Are able to participate in longer activity blocks and/or need less step-by-step direction for individual tasks

• Are considered at-risk; they come from risky communities, are vulnerable to developing behavioral problems as a result of their environment, and may not be able to afford a recreational camp experience elsewhere.

General profile of a Camp Mitton Camper

Many campers at Camp Mitton have or are currently experiencing crisis situations such as homelessness, abuse, or neglect. Many have been removed from their homes and placed in foster care, approximately 25% are homeless with their families, and 70% are involved with DSS. Children are mainly referred through agencies such as DSS, Massachusetts Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Children, the Department of Mental Health, the Mental Heath Services Program for Youth, and approximately 20 homeless shelters across the state.

The average Camp Mitton campers:

• Need more individualized attention for daily living skills

• Do not have (or need special attention to develop) social skills for relating to other campers

• Have limited coping skills; feel more secure or less anxious/overwhelmed in a smaller physical environment, and/or a smaller group of people

• Need more day-to-day or short-term esteem tasks for personal development; thrive in an environment with a positive-reinforcement behavioral goals system, i.e. rewards for positively participating in one period of archery instruction

• Need more structured steps for accomplishing tasks within a given program/activity

• Use recreational experiences as the mode to accomplish behavioral, emotional, and social gains

• Have moved from being “at-risk” to actively experiencing behavioral and/or emotional concerns

• May be in a special program or classroom at school addressing behavioral or social needs

• May be better able to handle shorter sessions of camp

General profile of a Camp Coca-Cola Camper

Camp Coca-Cola focuses on young people entering the eighth grade who are doing well in school, have demonstrated some leadership capability, and have a desire to succeed. However, they come from environments containing significant risk factors that may affect their school performance and ability to achieve their full potential. There are a number of other criteria for enrollment, and the program is a five-year commitment and is fully scholarshipped—there is no cost to the participant. Participants must be nominated to attend the program by a community partner who is able to provide a year-round link to the camp, the participant, and the community.

Get more information about becoming involved as a community partner