SPRING 2018
110 YEARS OF TRAINING TOMORROW’S LEADERS the Center to develop the skills to work with young people. They receive 2-3 full weeks of training, totaling more than 80-120 hours in youth development, social emotional learning, facilitation, leadership, diversity and inclusion, ropes and challenge courses, wilderness skills, behavior management, first aid, environmental education, and more. After training, they spend two to seven months honing their leadership skills working with the low-income students PBC serves. These young leaders often change majors after a summer at Blairstown. Many choose helping professions to become teachers, social workers, doctors, ministers, non-profit leaders, and outdoor educators. Princeton Summer Camp Staff, 1949
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n 1920, if you picked up a brochure from the Princeton Summer Camp, PrincetonBlairstown Center’s predecessor organization, you’d learn that the camp’s purpose was two-fold: “to give the city boy the physical and moral benefit that can be derived from a healthy outdoor life and a stimulating environment” and “to offer to the Princeton undergraduate an opportunity to perform unselfish service, at the same time broadening his understanding and deepest sympathies.” In the decades since that brochure was printed, we’ve noted how great an impact our work has had on boys and girls, especially from under-resourced communities. We’ve seen participants grow and develop leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills. We’ve heard from them about how much their experiences at PBC meant to them. As we revel in these stories, it might be easy to overlook how successful we’ve been at meeting the second goal outlined in that 1920s brochure: broadening the lives of Princeton students who have served at PBC.
But as we reconnect with former staff from across the decades, we hear repeatedly what a significant impact Blairstown had on their lives and careers: “The focus of my medical career - in reaching out to respond to some of our urgent social needs took root at Blairstown.” –Member of Class of 1941 “The Blairstown experience has instilled a desire to work with youth underserved by our current healthcare system. I have found myself wishing my patients could also have a Blairstown experience to provide self-confidence and provide empowerment.” –Member of Class of 1989 “Working on staff at PBC afforded me experiences that changed my life from one of privilege to one of service . . . Now I continue on with deeply meaningful work with youth and women in Boston.” –Member of Class of 1997 Today, students and recent graduates from Princeton, Brandeis, Trinity, Union, Bucknell, and many other prestigious schools come to
We’ve been training tomorrow’s leaders for 110 years, and with your help we will do it for another century. Please give generously so that we can continue to train tomorrow’s compassionate leaders and help them make a tangible difference at Blairstown and in the world at large. With gratitude, Sarah Tantillo, Ed.D. Board Chair
Pam Gregory President & CEO