Here are some things participants have said about Camptown:
"It (Camptown) showed me how to cope with people who drive me nuts, but the most important thing is it showed me how to be a good leader and root people on and the feeling you have when people say you did a great job and things like that."
"Camptown taught me how to trust God when there is trouble and how to deal with it."
Camptown has helped me in a lot of ways. Three of the most important ways that Camptown helped me are: that I learned how to be a leader, I got in better shape, and I learned what kind of mindset I should use."
"I'm a better leader now, because of when I had to lead a group of hikers through the Appalachian Trail."
"I learned the mindset you should have throughout life. Don't give up and do what is right."
"God has really shown himself to me in many different ways."
"The Camptown staff are caring, enthusiastic, and with their subtle encouragement challenged us to get the most from the experience. We have participated in both adult and parent/child trips, and have noticed that the staff have a positive effect on the lives of the adults as well as the kids."
"I liked having the two groups together. We were all very diverse, yet very similar. We all had a great time, made friends, and learned some new things. We grew deeper in Roses and Thorns. The last night we had an issue of rejection and we worked through it and ended up being really close."
"I really like the fact that I learned now a thing about how to paddle and that I can talk to people more than I think. The funniest part was when we were all splashing water."
"I really had fun canoeing with my partner, the directors really helped us out a lot and I greatly appreciated them taking out time to help us. It was really cool! Me and my partner fell out a lot but we had a very good time. It is greatly appreciated."
"Some things that I thought were important and stress over really are not [that important]. How lucky we are to have such beauty and wonder."
"I learned I was not a mistake for my mom."
"Camptown has made me a happier person, because I have made more friends and have been to many places."
"I love the exercise and getting away from everything."
"It gives me time to think and enjoy my spare time."
"I got in better shape, which helped me in sports."
"I learned to look after the interests of others more."
"It is all God's creation. I have learned to preserve & encourage it."
When asked how a Camptown adventure changed a student's view of the world
and people in it, one student responded “Justice and fairness are
not always the same.”
“I appreciate nature more and have more faith in my fellow humans.”
"Our first day was eight miles up the side of
a mountain. When I reached the top, I knew that I could do anything I
put my mind to. Besides that first 'mountain-top
experience,' Camptown showed me how to be an effective leader and
taking charge of my actions. Of all of the lessons that I learned
from Tom and the Camptown program, I think that the most important one
was how to ask for help. This doesn't tell nearly
all of the
things that Camptown did for me, but I hope that my story shows the
potentially profound effect that this program can have on a young
person, and encourages others to participate in or support Camptown."
"Of everything that I have done in my
life, I think that my time with Tom and Camptown was the most
rewarding. I learned many things and helped a lot of kids. This program
is something that I would recommend to anyone, whether you're a young
person looking for someplace to fit in or an adult looking for a place
to volunteer or donate money. Either way I don't think you'll be
disappointed with Camptown." - Hannah King
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