Back to Camp... Fun Isn't The Mission

Tues, Feb 3rd, 2026

Fun Isn't The Mission - It's What It Feels Like To Accomplish The Mission

I’m 47….I mean 27 years old. And I’ll be the first to admit that camp has kept me young because I get to have a lot of fun.

I get to be silly when it’s appropriate. I get to laugh with other people being silly.

Before I joined the summer camp world, I was a firefighter - a much more serious world. Don’t get me wrong, I still put out a hundred fires every day, but now they’re the good kind.

Now, I have fun. I encourage other people to have fun! My world is about having a blast… but what if I told you that having fun changes people?

At Camp Sloane YMCA, Fun Has a Purpose

Here’s the thing about camp - the fun isn’t just about splashing in the lake, singing at opening campfire, or getting a little muddy on the mountain bike trail after it’s rained (though we love all of that). 

At Camp Sloane, the fun comes because we’re a mission-based camp that focuses on helping every camper grow into the best version of themselves.

We’re All About Growth - and We Make It Fun

I tell our staff that our mission is simple: kids will leave this place with a better sense of their own self and with a stronger, more defined character. 

And we do that the best way we know how -  by getting kids out amongst the trees, into the lake, and into the kind of fun that only happens in the great outdoors!

When campers come to Sloane, they’re not just signing up for two weeks of fun -  they’re stepping into a place where they can:

• Build confidence by trying new things and realizing they’re capable of more than they thought.
• Make real friendships that go beyond screens and last long after summer ends.
• Learn independence in a safe, supportive environment where they can make their own choices and find their voice.
• Grow resilience when things don’t go perfectly (because sometimes it rains, and sometimes your marshmallow catches fire -  and that’s okay!).
• Discover belonging in a community that celebrates everyone for who they are.

That’s the magic of Camp Sloane - every bit of fun has a purpose behind it.

Where Mission Meets Marshmallows

Our YMCA roots remind us that camp is about so much more than activities. It’s about creating a space where campers grow in spirit, mind, and body. Whether it’s conquering the climbing tower, leading a theme day cheer, or learning how to be a good friend, every moment helps kids grow stronger inside and out.

The best part? The campers don’t even realize all this “growth” is happening - they’re too busy laughing, learning, and having the time of their lives.

The Sloane Difference

By the end of their session, our campers leave with more than just some bug bites and a trunk full of dirty socks. They leave with life skills: confidence, empathy, independence, and resilience - the kind that helps them thrive long after they’ve left camp.

Because at Camp Sloane, fun isn’t just what we do -  it’s how we help kids grow.

So yeah, we have a lot of fun at Camp Sloane. But more importantly, that fun means something. It builds better people - one camper, one laugh, one campfire at a time.

See you in the summer

Rhino

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