Message From The Director
We were deeply saddened that conditions from the California wildfires forced us to cancel Camp Quest
West 2008. I know that our camp provides a unique experience that folks
have been looking forward to for months. However, the safety of the
children, parents and staff are paramount and we have no question the
right decision was made.
The Camp Quest West board will be meeting week of July 7 to discuss
whether any refund is possible. Deposits (and payments) were
non-refundable but we will hope for the best and get back to everyone next
week.
Camp Quest West Packing List
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swimsuit
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sunscreen
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sleeping bag
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respirator???!!!
It's Beyond Belief!
Dealing with kids' (and our own)
disappointment
One of the things we were hoping to do at camp was to teach
and practice a little "mental judo". These were adapted from the wonderful
kids book "Sticks and Stones". While the book is for very young children,
I learned a lot from it that I could use in the adult world! The author
has a different name for the following technique, but I'd like to rename
it "The Way of the Thorn". Thorns can be painful - but they can also
protect you if you're the rosebush and they can deflate balloons filled
with hot air.
The Way of the Thorn is a way of deflecting negative inner
thoughts such as "This is impossible," "I can't do this," "I am so bummed
out I don't want to get out of bed". All you have to do is simply add the
word "but" then follow it up with something postive. Even if it's small -
it's a start and a way to deflect all that hot negative internal air.
"I'm so disappointed BUT I'm going to live"
"I'm so disappointed BUT this gives me a chance to do x"
"I'm so disappointed BUT I could get together with some Camp Quest
families locally"
We are all disappointed and saddened by this turn of events,
BUT we hope to see everyone at Camp next year or even earlier at another
family gathering. As always, if you have questions don't hesitate to give
me a call.
Chris Lindstrom
Camp Quest West Camp Director
About
Camp Quest West
Camp Quest West is affiliated with
National Camp Quest (Ohio), the first secular summer camp for youth in
the history of the United States. Camp Quest was specifically designed for
children of agnostics, atheists, freethinkers, humanists, and others who
hold a naturalistic world view. Our campers are girls and boys ages 7-17.
Camp Quest Purpose
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Promote among the youth participants a sense of belonging
to a large freethought community.
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Encourage critical thinking to enable the young people to
draw their own conclusions based on good evidence.
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Promote respect for others even though they may have
different viewpoints, values, and beliefs.
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Provide a safe and fun environment for personal and
social development.
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