The Bar 717 Ranch has a rich history of homesteading. This summer, one of camp’s oldest traditions will be renewed with the revival of the Emily’s outpost across the river. This site, originally known as the Old Gates Place, was first homesteaded by Moses Williams in 1884. This year, two of our experienced counselors, Kira and Nick, will spend the summer with groups of campers on the outpost. We’re excited to offer a new generation of campers a chance to spend some time away from main camp on an outpost with a smaller group, working together to create a self-sustaining, collaborative community. Some projects may include: trail building, fence repair, solar shower and refrigerator building, gardening, and animal care. Plus a healthy dose of swimming, singing, games, and other adventures. To introduce you to the program, here’s a quick introduction from Kira and Nick, our homestead counselors.
Hi Everyone!
Kira and Nick here. We are so incredibly excited to be running Emily’s Outpost this summer! This has been a dream of ours since the start of Summer 2017, and we’re thrilled that it is actually happening. We wanted to take this time to describe why we’re so enthusiastic about this opportunity, and why we think it’d be a fantastic time for interested campers.
First off, Emily’s is absolutely beautiful. For those who haven’t been there, Emily’s is a homey, two-floor, open-air log cabin situated on a beautiful grassy plain, a few miles away from main camp. Surrounding it are rolling hills and forest, and Emily’s swimming hole is just a short hike away. A small creek runs through the land, giving life to an oasis of lush vegetation (including tasty and surprisingly spicy watercress), as well as a sizable number of frogs. The cabin, while powerless, is equipped with two wood-fired stoves, and the “front yard” includes a magnificent dining table built during an earlier outpost, as well as a fire pit. Come nightfall, Emily’s offers some of the best star-gazing at camp. While isolation is a part of Emily’s quiet beauty, main camp is accessible by foot or by car.
Aside from how beautiful the scenery is, our desire to run the outpost on Emily’s this summer stems from the idea that doing so would be fun, challenging, and fulfilling. The Bar 717 has a long and storied history of homesteading, one that neither of us (nor any of today’s campers) were able to experience. The core principles behind camp life at the Bar 717 — beliefs like working together, including others, and trying new things — are a huge part of any camp experience. These principles stem from a time when they were important not just for forming a happy and thriving community, but also for a successful life in the challenging conditions of a homestead. These ideas are important to us, and we’re really excited to be able to form a community where they can be intentionally and wholly embodied in daily life.
Thankfully for campers (and for us!), Emily’s Outpost will only be a small taste of homestead life.
Together we’ll work on daily tasks either for ourselves (cooking and cleaning) or to improve the outpost as a whole. We plan on building a garden, renovating the solar showers, and maintaining some of the trails near Emily’s, among other projects. Of course, there’ll also be plenty of hiking, swimming, playing games, and lots of stargazing.
This outpost should be a ton of fun and a very special experience for all who join, and we’re so excited for it to get started. Hope to see you there!
– Kira and Nick
Frequently Asked Questions:
Who will be leading the outpost?
Kira Gabriel: Hi! My name is Kira, and I am absolutely thrilled to get to spend a third summer at camp, working on the Emily’s Outpost! I go to Scripps College, where I am majoring in Economics, History, and minoring in Spanish. In fact, this semester I am studying abroad in Ecuador! When I am at Scripps, I work for the Outdoor Wilderness Leaders, hike with the outdoor club, and scheme ways to send my dirty laundry home. I am ecstatic about spending this summer working on projects at Emily’s, getting to be a part of camp’s outpost history, learning new skills, and, of course, hanging out with incredible campers! I cannot wait to be there, and cannot wait to start working with y’all on this amazing new project!
Nick Olkovsky: Hi! I’m Nick and this’ll be my second year as a counselor at the Bar 717! I hail from New York City and I’m currently wrapping up my last semester at Vassar College in New York, where I study Environmental Studies and play on the rugby team. I’m a huge fan of exploring the outdoors, goofing around, and having immense New York pride for matters such as bagel and pizza quality. Last summer I had an incredible time learning all the traditions of Camp Trinity, meeting all the campers and staff, and leading backpacking trips in the beautiful Trinity Alps! I’m thrilled to be returning this summer to co-run Emily’s Outpost with my friend and co-counselor, Kira! It should be an absolute blast, and I can’t wait to get started. See ya there!
What is an outpost?
An outpost is a small-scale working homestead, where campers are introduced to homestead living through experiential, project-based learning. An outpost is maintained by the people who live there: the two counselors who will manage it all summer long and groups of campers who can opt in to spending a week or two of their time living there. An outpost offers a shared learning experience, where everyone – counselors and campers both – learn, work, and play together.
Why are we offering an outpost this summer?
A lot as changed since Camp was founded in 1930. Over the years, outposts have played an important role in many campers’ experiences. Since then, while many things, such as platform living, dances, and the swimming hole, have stayed the same, much of camp has been transformed. The core principles behind Camp Trinity – inclusivity, trying new things, living together, and working with and for each other – are still a integral part of what makes Camp so special. An outpost offers an experience where these principles are intentionally and necessarily embodied in everyday life. Through participating in this rewarding experience, a camper can gain new and close friendships, an increased attachment to Camp Trinity, and a deeper understanding of what it means to take care of your home and the people around you.
Why should campers want to do it?
Campers who are interested in team and project-based learning, gaining practical life skills, living and working in a close knit community, hard work and having fun would thrive an outpost. Living on an outpost will be fun, fulfilling, and rewarding. Each day will have many different activities campers can participate in, in addition to essential outpost work. Campers will be able explore the surrounding area on hikes, go swimming at Emily’s swimhole, cook meals together, play games, and will of course return to main camp for big events such as the dances, Vespers, or the Untalent Show. Furthermore, campers will learn to exist in a cooperative community, functioning as individuals working toward common goals. Ultimately, campers will see the products of their hard work, through both their own personal growth and completed community projects.
Who is eligible and how do we sign up?
The outpost is open to campers of any age. Campers will have the opportunity sign up and to talk with Kira and Nick about the outpost upon their arrival at Camp.
If you’re interested in learning more about the Emily’s Outpost, contact us any time. We’d be happy to share more information or answer questions.
I spent many summers at Camp outposts during the 60’s and 70’s at the Bar 7, Emily’s, and MJB. These were the most memorable summers of my life. Much of what I learned during those days I draw upon to this day. I learned how to fell a tree, split a shake, mix cement, lay a floor, and fix a toilet to name a few. Most of all, I learned self-reliance, how to be at home in the wilderness, how to work with others toward a common goal, and how to have the most fun possible. I encourage any camper who wants to have a life-changing experience to take advantage of this opportunity. You will remember it and your ‘first friends’ for the rest of your life.
I was an Outpost counselor in the mid 1980s, out at the old Bar 7. We slept out under the stars every night, cooked all of our own meals, got water from a pump, swam in Corral Creek, watched a mama bear and her cub stroll by, did projects, and bonded as a group. In this modern time of electronics and stress, I can think of nothing better than a week or two of homesteading; cleansing our minds and hearts and regaining contact with the earth and ourselves.
I attended camp and worked at Bar717, best times of my life! Now that my kids are getting older I am hoping that the spirit and adventure of the camp is intact and they will be able to attend.
I attended camp back in the 70’s. It was the best time of my childhood. I was one of the lucky campers to be able to spend time at Emily’s!! The summer I spent there we built the outdoor “fridge” (concrete basin spring water kept cold), installed the rear windows in the cabin, helped build the table and coated it with linseed oil, and built the shower (wooden shack with barrels on top). We loved cooking on the grill!! We cooked rattlesnake one time and it was great!! I hope everyone gets the chance to go and have as many memories as I do. I have a 2 1/2yr old and when he’s old enough, he’ll be going………..