BEAM summer camp

The closest experience I had to summer camp was Outdoor Education in elementary school: essentially a long weekend in the mountains during the winter. We hiked, learned about nature, sang songs, square-danced, star-gazed, and had a great time. I will never forget it.

Another friend, Brian Cohen, crediting his summer camp experience for inspiring his career in music, had a dream of starting a camp of his own. About five years ago, he left his job at Sony Music and founded Beam Camp. A father of three kids, he wanted the camp to have a creative twist: campers would collaborate to create original works of art or installations. Some of these projects are shown here: left, Beam Fleet, seven all wood vehicles that were equal parts kinetic sculptures, simple machines and rolling canvases (concept by Steve Gerberich and Nathaniel Lieb); below, a giant Nexus Canopy, a 45’ x 36’ structure of wood and movable canvas walls conceived by Fabian Jabro; bottom, a Macro/Micro domes designed by Caitlin Berrigan.

It began modestly with about 24 kids, and now has tripled, without the benefit of any advertising. This year Beam Camp secured a new location on Parker Mountain in Strafford, New Hampshire. I was able to recently visit the camp and see the renovation of formerly forgotten buildings (the campsite hadn’t been used for about four years), and the completion of new bunk cabins, a wood-shop, and lavatory, among others.

First of all, I am inspired by Brian’s can-do attitude. When I see all the “before” photos and the “after” in person, I cannot believe what they accomplished in a such a short amount of time. The colorful projects that the campers built in the past now decorate their new home and I’m not only excited to see what they will create in the future, but I can’t wait till my kids are old enough to participate. It’s an amazing gift that Brian has given to his children and others who are fortunate to attend this innovative camp.

ps. to get a glimpse of this year’s BEAM project, go to jungletopia.blogspot.com

Comments

[kris]

This looks great!!!!