If you haven’t heard of Eliot Institute, it is a UU organization that creates magical multigenerational camps four times a year, held at the beautiful Seabeck Conference Center in Washington. Summer sessions are July 12-19, “Joyful Noise: Sing Out, Be Free” with Lea Morris, August 2-9, “Creativity Games and Storytelling” with Guy Nelson, and August 9-13, “Create Arts Eliot”. Winter session is December 28-January 1, “Stick Pounding” with Melanie DeMore. More information on sessions here.

Paul Blackburn reports that,

“Eliot is an awesome place for teens. There is inclusive, engaging fun space for them to be together largely free of boring adult interference. It is, frankly, the most creative and interesting teen programming I, Paul, have ever seen. Every morning, instead of sitting through boring adult lecture, they get to scheme up a haunted house and play board games and ultimate and talk religion and philosophy if interested.

Grandparents and grandkids love Eliot because of the freedom and flexibility. There is a huge component of “Village raising the child” going on; kids are largely free to run free on the 70 acre campus confident in the knowledge that we are all keeping at least half a watchful eye on the little ones. To quote a friend, ‘I let my middle schooler go out after dark with young adults because I think something GOOD might happen.’

Singles and elders can enjoy a wider community of folks with similar and compatible beliefs. It’s like watching UU principles in action.”

What’s a typical day at camp?

Ding, Ding, Ding! The meeting house bell awakens the camp at 7:30 AM.

Breakfast is at 8:00 AM. They have oatmeal, fresh fruit, bagels, toast, yogurt with granola, juice, milk, hot chocolate, and some favorite kid cereals.

Then, I get to go up the hill with my family to the meeting house for Ingathering where we sing and listen to a fun story!

For morning program, while the adults attend the speaker, we split into groups:
● Under 3’s; Preschoolers, known as “Littles”
● Elementary age kids – sometimes split into Lower and Upper Elementary
● MAGS (middle age group) for 6th – 8th graders
● Youth for high schoolers

I head off with my group, and we spend the morning having fun and learning together. Depending on age, we might: play games, read stories, sing songs, do art projects, go to the playground, go for hikes in the woods or to the beach, or have other fun adventures.

Each age group has their own traditions varying by camp: July features the MAG Adventure and the Youth Multathalon. August MAGs make Peace Boats in remembrance of Hiroshima Day, while the Youth hold their own Coffee House for all campers to attend. At Winter Eliot, MAGS build torches for New Year’s Eve.

Lunch is at 12:15. I can choose to eat meals with my family or with my friends.
Then, in the afternoon, there’s lots of activities to choose from, depending on the camp: I might go swimming in the lagoon, participate in sports or play board games, do tie-dye, play make believe in the forest, sit and talk with friends, and so much more! I get to decide, so long as I check in with my parent/guardian and follow the rules and boundaries they set. They’re in charge of me while I’m at camp.

Dinner is at 6:00 PM with evening events to follow. I could sing at Firelight or Singing in the Round, join into a game like To Tell the Truth or Charades, participate in the talent show, and/or go to worship with my family. I hear that there’s a super cool dance on the last night of camp too. Children’s curfew is at 10 PM.

See the Program Flyer

Need-based scholarships available.

Website: www.eliotinstitute.org