CIRCUS ACT. Patrick Gabbard (playing clarinet) and Gabe Shalitmontagne entertain fellow campers at Puget Sound Youth Interfaith Camp. (Photo by Jim Robbins)
With the goal of a more peaceful and just world, Puget Sound Youth Interfaith Camp offers a safe place for youth from a variety of faith and religious perspectives to be themselves, feel comfortable expressing their faith, and have a great time in a beautiful natural setting. It is a one-week camp, started two years ago, with 44 campers the first year, and 60-plus the last two summers. The camp strives for a balance among campers representing Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Native American, atheist, Quaker and other religions or spiritual affiliations.
Camp will be held Aug. 23-28 at the YMCA’s Camp Seymour, on the Key Peninsula, not far from Gig Harbor. Applications are now being accepted for youth entering grades 7-9. There is a sliding scale this year from $400-$150. Organizers ask that people pay as much as they can to help cover costs and keep the camp going. If $150 is too much, there are scholarships available. No one will be turned away for lack of funds.
Much of the campers’ time is spent participating in usual types of camp activities such as sports, swimming, kayaking, art, hiking, campfires and singing. What differs, however, is the time spent talking about and otherwise learning about one another’s religions, beliefs and customs. There are opportunities to ask questions anonymously and face to face. Proselytizing in any way is not permitted.
Programs at camp strive to reach these goals:
- Increase awareness of differing faith perspectives
- Strengthen communication skills
- Provide leadership opportunities
- Build pathways to respect, peace and justice
Check out the website for photos and videos and more general information at www.soundinterfaithcamp.org; or call Associated Ministries (253) 383-3056 (ext. 105); or e-mail sallies@associatedministries.org.
