July 2016 | Cape Cod Life

A lot more than just fun in the sun

Cape Cod Life  /  July 2016 / ,

Writer: Wes Chaput

A lot more than just fun in the sun

July 2016 | Cape Cod Life

Cape Cod Life  /  July 2016 / ,

Writer: Wes Chaput

Profiles of three Cape Cod summer camps with inspiring missions

A lot more than just fun in the sun | Cape Cod Life JULY 2016

Cape Cod is a place of beauty and of beaches, of restaurants and riches, of artistry and affluence. It is also a place of great passion, emotion, dreams, and compassion for one’s fellow man. In this article, we look at three summer camps on the Cape whose very function is to help, support, mentor, and inspire others.

Camp Mitton, located in the Lower Cape community of Brewster, is part of a South Shore-based organization called Crossroads that follows a simple mission: helping kids. Through various methods including building supportive mentoring relationships between campers and counselors, Camp Mitton’s staff aims to inspire and support young people who have gone through trauma or crisis.

A few towns to the west in Marstons Mills, campers—including children and adults with developmental disabilities—at Cranberry Sunset Farm have the chance to get a taste of what life is like on a farm by working with animals, riding horses, and tackling various chores. They also learn about gardening and nutrition, and gain a subtler education in concepts of teamwork and self-sufficiency. Ideally, when the cowbell rings for lunch—the Farm Life Program runs mornings until noon—the junior farmers will depart brimming with self-confidence, and a little green thumb knowhow.

Returning to Brewster, we find Dream Day on Cape Cod. This organization provides local families that have a child who is suffering with a chronic or life-threatening illness with a week’s respite at this Cape Cod campground. Activities such as boating, fishing, and hiking abound, and the goal is simply to allow these families the chance to spend some quality time together in a beautiful location, in the fresh air, and far from any hospital visits and treatments.