Letter from the Director

Our mission at Camp Santa Maria is to create spaces for people to find a sense of belonging, purpose and connectedness. We strive to infuse this into everything we do at Camp Santa Maria, and our goal is that the work we do at camp extends beyond camp. The spirit of Camp Santa Maria creates life-long experiences and lessons that campers bring with them into their homes and communities after camp ends.

By giving children the tools to better understand themselves, they develop problem solving skills, independence, confidence, and strength of character. By teaching children how to live and work in a community, they learn to manage themselves in complex social situations, put others’ needs before their own, and to work with others.

By helping children value the earth, they become stewards of the natural world and, in turn, value the efforts made by themselves and others to preserve, protect and appreciate the immeasurable gifts of the outdoor world. And, by imbuing these actions with a deep sense of wonder, children grow to see and appreciate the beauty, magic, and possibility within themselves, others and the world.

— Johnny