While parents are the primary sources of education and character building, camp offers a great opportunity to reinforce what children are already learning at home. Moreover, in the recreational setting that includes competitive sports, performing arts, and day-to-day bunk living, children have a unique opportunity to learn, practice and test their “value skills”.

This story is told to our staff and campers each summer. It is told in the context of “making a difference”.

"One morning, after a terrific storm, an old man is walking on the beach and as the sun is beginning to rise, he sees in front of him, lying on the beach, thousands and thousands of starfish that must have washed ashore due to the storm. As far as the eye can see, lay starfish, drying out and surely destined to die in the warming of the morning sun. "

"And so, ever so carefully, the old man stoops down and one by one, begins to toss the starfish back into the seas so that they may survive. As he does this, he is seen by a much younger man who, eying the task in front of the old man, simply shakes his head in disbelief."

"After a brief period, the younger man approaches the old man and said to him, “'Old man, what are you doing? Don't you see that there are literally thousands of starfish washed up on this shore? What you are doing can never make a difference."