VALUES
As soon as our campers arrive they are greeted by our beloved motto: "We Are Born Not For Ourselves, But to Help Others."
The Bangor YMCA Wilderness Center at Camp Jordan teaches the YMCA core values of HONESTY, CARING, RESPECT, and
RESPONSIBILITY, and helps youth understand what it means to put our values into action on a day to day basis.
When we observe the YMCA core values in action, campers are rewarded verbally, as well as with values beads, which campers cherish. Whether we are debriefing the day, asking campers to highlight ways their peers exemplified the core values, or our counselors are running around dressed in blue, red, yellow and green performing values-based skits, all of our campers leave camp with an understanding of what we hold dear, why values matter, and how great it feels to act on and be recognized for exemplary behavior toward self and others.
BANGOR YMCA MISSION
The Bangor Region YMCA is a community leader in supporting children, adults and families in their lifelong quest for physical, emotional and social wellness.
OUR DESIRED COMMUNITY IMPACT
The Bangor Region YMCA is an essential collaborative leader that strengthens the foundation of our region by being the champion for youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.
WE ARE BORN NOT FOR OURSELVES BUT TO HELP OTHERS
The Bangor YMCA Wilderness Center at Camp Jordan has been fostering friendships, changing lives, and creating leaders
for 112 years. We have established traditions and purposeful programming that encourages character building and leadership skills through the core values of honesty, caring, respect, and responsibility. Everyone is encouraged to take these life lessons home and contribute to their own families and communities.
Our programs are formulated to reflect the appropriate challenges of each stage of child development. As youth grow and gain a sense of comfort within our programs, they are encouraged to try new activities and new programs to gain a sense of challenge and mastery. Often children who begin with our Sleep Away Camp rise through the ranks, challenging themselves physically on Adventure Seekers expeditions as they grow older, moving on to our LIT and CIT programs, and capping each summer as a teenager with the Leaders School experience. Our programs for older teens bridge the gap between finding one’s personal strength and being a responsible member of a home community. Our Wilderness Center’s camper diversity brings this conversation globally and fosters discussions amongst tomorrow’s leaders from around the world.
The cabin group is the heart of our program, and we have recently made our cabin groups smaller to foster a closer bond between counselors and cabin-mates. Cabins eat together during each meal, participate in cabin challenges together, and spend “embers”, a time of reflection, sharing their day every night before bed. Veteran campers think of camp as their second home, a place where they feel appreciated, accepted for who they are, and at peace with themselves.
It is our goal that every child develops this sense of connection with our community and our program.