Freedom of Choice

Our world has changed quite a bit since Brown Ledge was founded in 1926 but our camp’s guiding philosophy, freedom of choice, has not changed at all. The Freedom of Choice plan that was considered progressive education in the early twentieth century is still relevant today. Arguably, it might have even have more of an impact on today’s girls’ growth and development at camp than it did in past decades. We take having fun very seriously. You will see by reviewing our website, our literature, and speaking with us that we think camp is more than a place to have a good time for a few weeks. Camp is an opportunity to explore who you are and participate actively in your own growth, make lifelong friendships, and yes, laugh until you can barely breathe almost every day.

Our Freedom of Choice framework makes us different from other camps. Many of our campers express that they learn more, and grow more, in a few weeks at camp than they do all year. We credit this to our philosophy that allows campers to have some room to breathe. The Freedom of Choice gives campers an opportunity to practice making their own choices, within a safe environment, and own the results of their choices.

In 1926, Harry E. Brown did not develop the Freedom of Choice philosophy for his new girls camp venture because the girls of his age were over-scheduled. He created Brown Ledge with the freedom of choice philosophy because he thought girls of camper age were able to make good choice; hat girls knew what they liked to do. If given the freedom to make their own choices, that campers would choose well.

This remains true today. Girls know what they like. They know if they like the water or horses or appearing on stage. They know if they like trying something new on their own or if they would prefer to have a friend of two with them. They know when they need a rest or when they can go all day. And if they are unsure, they quickly figure it out within our safe, supportive yet open, environment.

For a variety of reasons, the lives of young people have become very scheduled in our present culture. Often these schedules are created, and monitored, by adults. More often than not, the child has had some say in the activities she would like to participate in but for the most part adults are calling the shots in school, after school, and on the weekends by well-meaning teachers, coaches and parents. The result – for many young people - has meant a loss of being able to organize themselves; an inability to trust in one’s own ability to make good choices; and an environment in which children can renounce personal responsibility. If a child is not part of a decision, why would she take responsibility for the outcome; positive or negative?

Brown Ledge’s structure of open activity time says to our girls that we think you are able to make decisions. We trust you to make good decisions but know that sometimes you’ll make mistakes. And we’ll give you the space to mess up. Because failing is just as important as succeeding at Brown Ledge – it’s how you learn. What better place to experience failure than a place where your friends, and counselors are there to build you back up to try again.

“Freedom of Choice” then is not a matter of undisciplined “do as you please” actions. It is rather an experience in democratic living, under optimal conditions, where freedom and responsibility are carefully linked and guided.

But what does the theory really look like? Here are a few scenarios that show our philosophy in action:

Kate is walking to her riding lesson in full riding gear while carrying her tennis racket and tennis shoes. Kate rides at 10:00am but likes to play tennis and go to the waterfront. Kate likes to spend her whole afternoon on the waterfront so she carries her tennis equipment down with her to her riding lesson. This way Kate can fit in a tennis lesson before lunch. No one figured this out for Kate – she thought of this plan on her own.

Jen is ten years old and new to camp. She is sitting at Lyda’s table for meals during the first week. At lunch, Lyda asks everyone at the table what they did that morning. Jen is shy at first so she lets a few girls answer before her. She then pipes up and breathlessly reports… “I love to water ski so I went down to the waterfront right when activities opened but I forgot that waterskiing opens at 10:00am instead of 9:00am so I went and said hi to my cabin counselor – she’s the head of canoeing – and she said that I could start my canoeing basic with her while I waited for waterskiing to open. So I learned my canoeing knots, terms, and safety and then waterskiing opened so I ran over to the swimming dock. I’ve never gone wakeboarding so I decided to try that – it was really hard to get up but so fun….”. Conversations like this are occurring all over the dining room.

Grace and Alex are sitting on the office porch. It is raining slightly and the sky looks like it could storm later. They are discussing the weather and how it might affect their plans. Alex is excited because the storm might bring high winds – great conditions for sailing the Laser. Grace wants to get down to Archery before the heavy rain rolls in because she needs to shoot her round for the Camper-Counselor tournament. But both want to get to Arts and Crafts before dinner because they need to make decorations for their bunkie’s birthday dinner. Neither can remember whether there might be Soccer practice this afternoon so they know they need to keep that time open and listen to announcements at lunch. How will they get it all done and remember their commitments? They’re Brown Ledgers – they’ll figure it out.

Clare loves to shoot at the range, and she is a very talented archer, but she decided to be a waterskiing JC this summer. Being a waterskiing JC means that you are working at least two hours a day in your department teaching younger campers. Nonetheless, Clare wants to earn her Archery Vanguard which requires a tremendous amount of time at the range. The Head of Theatre just asked Clare if she could run lights for the Three-Act Play. At first, Clare is so excited to be asked to take on such a responsibility that she said yes right away. Now she is unsure if she can follow through, and do a good job, since she has two other major commitments. Clare talks to her bunkies and to the JC Director about what she should do. After a few discussions, Clare decides that she will help with the lights but that she will tell the Head of Theatre that she cannot run lights for the show because she wants to focus on her other two obligations; her department and her vanguard.

Girls experience the benefits of our program their first summer. The cumulative effect of multiple summers is where we see the greatest impact on a girl’s personal development.

Our Junior Counselors were asked to reflect on their experiences at Brown Ledge. Junior Counselors are between the ages of 15.5 to 18 years old. All JCs have been a camper for at least one summer. Most have been campers for four-five years before becoming a JC. Some have been campers for seven or eight summers. Here are a few of their thoughts:

“I think this environment where you choose the amount of stress you’re under has really allowed me to feel something that is not possible at home – contentment. I work toward my goals slowly and steadily and each day is full and long but weeks pass by in a blink. I don’t really want to think of the person I would be without Brown Ledge but I believe that she would be only a shadow of my current self.” Nell, First Year JC, 2008.

“Brown Ledge has made me a better person. No one realizes it when they are here but learning to be considerate of all your bunkies, learning to be friends with your table bunks, learning to respect your counselor, and growing to love Brown ledge more than you ever thought you would truly changes each and everyone of us throughout the summer. Brown ledge makes us more considerate, more aware of people around us and helps us realize the importance of the special bonds and friendships made here.” Rachel, First Year JC 2008

“The most alluring thing about Brown Ledge Camp [is] the astounding energy and vitality that each camper seem[s] to possess.” Helen, First Year JC 2008

“Brown Ledge reminded me and thoroughly taught me to ride for the joy and sometimes irrational love for the sport itself, and not for the love of competition or prestige, or to get into college and for that I will always be grateful.” Eliza, First year JC 2008

“…no experience in my life could make me grow a fraction as much as I have in my five short moths at brown Ledge and I sincerely believe that because of Brown Ledge I have found who I truly am. Everything about Brown Ledge, from the people, the freedom to do whatever you choose, the sense of community, the pure beauty of mallet’s Bay and the traditions all have contributed to my growth and without them I feel as though I would be lost.” Jen, First Year JC, 2008.

“No wonder why we love this camp: it makes us feel special and even gifted sometimes. And we all know that there’s a place here for each of us – ‘For you girls belong to Brown Ledge and Brown Ledge belongs to you’. I don’t know who wrote this but it is a pretty good summary of how I see Brown ledge and feel about it.” Marie-Alix, Second Year JC, 2008

“Thank you Brown Ledge for being built on a foundation in which girls can get away from the stress and pressure of reality, and spend a summer at a place that allows you to be yourself.” Julia, Second Year 2008