We’ve all been there at some point. We’ve had to face a dreaded drop off being left in an unfamiliar place. We were told “have fun, I’ll see you soon,” while watching someone leave us behind. This similar experience is how Kate Dadourian learned the power of camp.
“As an introvert and one of four children, one being my twin sister, I always had someone by my side growing up,” remarks Kate. “I learned independence, resilience, perseverance and so much more while discovering myself as an individual at camp.”
The difference that camp made in her life determined her future and led to the creation of Camp Rippling Brook.
After more than 20 years working at camps in the Washington DC area, Kate decided to go after her dream.
Kate’s favorite thing about camp is the “lifelong relationships that can be formed. I met my closest friends working at camp, I met my husband at camp, my son was a part of camp at just two weeks old, my dog Luna even became a pseudo camp mascot. These relationships make you feel like you’ve found your second home.”
At 15 years old, Kate was hired at Barrie Day Camp in Silver Spring for her first job. Through the decades, she learned the ropes of camp starting as a Junior Counselor at Barrie to eventually becoming the Camp Director then Associate Executive Director at YMCA Camp Letts in Anne Arundel County.
Parents from previous camp experiences commend Kate on her ability to “build relationships with the campers…[and] with the families so camper experiences can go beyond camp and be implemented into daily life.” Another parent complemented her “wonderful, tireless staff for daring to help our kids learn the important lessons – like sharing, working together, sportsmanship, independence, perseverance, loving nature, building relationships, and having fun.”
Kate says “Camp Rippling Brook will build a community through positive relationships with families, having great role models as staff, and helping to build friendships. We will create memories through impactful and transformative moments, both big and small. We will have a huge variety of activities to allow campers the choice to try something new, from themed weeks and spirit days to activities like archery, gaga, our inflatable slip n slide and so much more. And of course, we’ll do all of that while having fun!”
Camp Rippling Brook has a Camp Open House at 17314 New Hampshire Ave in Ashton this weekend. They will be hosting families with fun activities like archery, tie dye, roasting s’mores and more on Sunday, May 21st from 1 pm – 3 pm. Their last Camp Open House of the season will be on Sunday, June 18th. Camp is for children ages 6-12. One-week sessions are $395 (prorated during 4th of July week) and are available from July 3rd-August 11th this summer. Hours are 9 am – 4 pm with extended hours available from 7:30 am – 6 pm.
Register for camp before May 31st with code “CRBMOCOSHOW” to receive 10% off your registration.
www.campripplingbrook.com
301-852-0909
info@CampRipplingBrook.com
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