Below is the announcement of a new mission statement for Friends of Camp Little Notch, a former 400 acre Girl Scout Camp in New York’s Adirondacks. The Girl Scout camp was purchased by the Open Space Institute who sold most of the 2300 acres to a timber company after placing conservation easement restricting future development of the property. If Friends of Camp Little Notch raise the required $250,000 to take possession of the remaining camp, they will reopen the camp “to provide opportunities for all people to practice living in harmony with nature, each other, and themselves.”

Announcement:

Dear Friends of Camp Little Notch,

Recently, the board of directors of the Friends of Camp Little Notch (Friends of CLN) engaged in a series of conversations about our organizational mission. It has been a tremendous journey trying to capture and name the essence behind the magic, growth, learning, fun, healing, and connection that many of us experienced at Little Notch while also looking to the future. In reflecting on what Little Notch is truly about, we came to a collective belief that we would like to share with you-we believe that Little Notch, and all it has to offer, is for everyone.

For many months, our website has stated our mission: “connecting and inspiring girls and women through authentic wilderness experiences.” We will always feel strongly about offering an excellent summer program for girls at Little Notch; we also want to see a diverse and vibrant community of people accessing the beauty and serenity of Little Notch, and we are excited to invite everyone to sit at our table.

Today we are eager to announce a new mission statement that honors the tradition of Little Notch while expanding our family. The new mission of Friends of CLN is “to provide opportunities for all people to practice living in harmony with nature, each other, and themselves.”

Below you will find some more information about our vision for the future:

Little Notch-A Transformative Outdoor Space for All

Little Notch is a restorative environment in which all individuals, families, and communities are welcome to practice living in harmony with nature, each other, and themselves. In the pristine beauty of the Adirondacks, members of the Little Notch family become the change they want to see in the world by cultivating their resourcefulness, wellness, creativity, and responsibility.

Little Notch will be available year-round for outdoor programming and retreats for youth groups, community-based organizations, non-profits, businesses, artists of all kinds, and innovators seeking space to dream big. Friends of CLN is committed to working specifically in partnership with low-wealth communities, communities of color, and people with varying abilities, and will develop programs and outreach strategies to ensure that this piece of land is accessible to all.

People return from Little Notch with the renewed inspiration and ability to transform their own communities by honoring their interdependence on the earth, each other, and themselves.

Summer Programming-Camp Little Notch

Friends of CLN believes that it is essential to the health of our communities to provide outdoor spaces and programs designed for girls and women. Camp Little Notch’s past successes have been in helping girls find their strengths and unique voices and supporting young women through the challenging transition to adulthood. Camp Little Notch achieved this success through connecting young women with each other, positive mentors, and the land. Friends of CLN will continue Little Notch’s successful tradition, building a bright future from its rich past.

Year-Round Opportunities at Little Notch

While many camps and afterschool programs across the United States offer intensive programs with organized sports and activities, Little Notch will give children, families, communities, and other groups the freedom to create a self-determined experience within a familiar and comfortable routine. Groups may develop their own programming and retreats that meet personal and organizational needs and can be enhanced by our on-site staff. This type of freedom encourages creativity, builds decision-making skills, and helps people take responsibility for their development.

All programming at Little Notch will fall under the three categories listed in our mission.

Harmony with Nature-Environmental Stewardship
Children are plugged into some kind of electronic medium an average of 5.5 hours a day* and similarly many adults spend countless hours on cell phones and the Internet. People who come to Little Notch can challenge the necessity of technological comforts by truly unplugging while they enjoy a breathtaking and protected place.

Operations at Little Notch will facilitate an ongoing appreciation and interest in land conservation and promote consciousness about the Earth and our role as stewards. Little Notch campers and visitors will practice sustainable, low-impact living and bring these practices back to their everyday lives. Friends of CLN will also honor the rich archeological history of the property and host treks to the historic Mount Hope Iron Furnace.

Harmony with Each Other-Community Building and Social Consciousness
Friends of CLN recognizes that our perceived differences create social barriers that can prevent us from truly seeing, learning from, and valuing each other. Little Notch provides a dynamic environment to bring people together through shared physical and creative activities-a practice that has historically been a key to breaking down barriers and creating a society where people recognize each other’s humanity and value themselves and each other. Friends of CLN will create an environment that celebrates diversity, encourages community building, teaches conflict resolution and communication skills, facilitates sharing of traditions between people, and confronts all forms of discrimination, prejudice, and exclusion in our interactions, operations, and activities.

Harmony with Self-Growth, Wellness, and Exploration
Little Notch is a place where the development of strong bodies, vibrant minds, and indomitable spirits will be fostered. Outdoor activity can promote healthy living, reduce stress and depression, and increase strength, skills, and confidence. Friends of CLN will provide a supportive and positive environment with strong and dynamic role models where visitors will have opportunities to challenge themselves and build confidence in their strengths through a variety of outdoor and adventure activities.

We are excited to take this important step of expanding our mission. Please feel free to send comments and questions to ellen@littlenotch.org. We will also be contacting you soon to announce our exciting summer schedule, as well as other key developments!

Visions of the day to be,

Jo, Lisa, Liz, Tyler, Lindsay, Ellen

Friends of Camp Little NotchBoard of Directors and Staff

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.