Campers are given the freedom to make their own choices in a day, leading them to discover who they are by doing what they love. Working artists and teachers offer world-class instruction in over 30 different arts, including dance, glassblowing, improv, weaving, lighting design, ceramics, and much more. In an environment where they are trusted to take responsibility for their own creative lives, campers flourish and grow into confident young people filled with the potential to make great change in the world. In 2021 and beyond, our mission is to make Buck’s Rock Camp increasingly more affordable and accessible to a wide and diverse group of campers. Buck’s Rock over the years has been a safe space for many, but we are aware of the many blind spots that have existed in our structure regarding inclusivity and access. And as we open the doors of Buck’s Rock to a wider community of campers and staff, it is our intention, first and foremost, to listen. Our hope is to grow and move in a direction that is more inclusive, sensitive, and accommodating to all, as well as welcoming of all differences. And it is our hope that we can build a container where we actively cultivate a culture of compassion that each and every one of us can then bring back into our worlds beyond Buck’s Rock. We envision a Buck’s Rock that is more accessible for everyone, bringing consciousness of socioeconomic status, gender, sexuality, race, religion, and physical ability to our community. We understand that this is a monumental task, but we have faith in the community of Buck’s Rock to help us get there. Among some of the goals we’ve started discussing are: training our staff to understand the roots of implicit bias, implementing transparent hiring and pay practices, expanding our reach to wider communities for finding campers and staff, making sure our facilities and housing are more accessible for everyone including people of all genders and physical abilities, and keeping equity and inclusion at the forefront of the conversation. We also wish to strengthen our network of talented alumni, harnessing our collective passion and goodwill to carry the momentum of Buck’s Rock forward. We hope to cultivate a multi-generational exchange that will support our campers’ efforts to keep all that they learn at Buck’s Rock alive. In continuing to build our alumni network, we can help the next generation of Buck’s Rockers begin the journey of navigating life by opening doors, both professional and social, while pursuing educational opportunities and building careers in the arts and beyond.
