Eliot Institute: Inter-generational UU camps

The summer and winter Eliot conferences include a morning program of supervised activities for children and youth from infants through high school. From lunch time through the evening, parents are responsible for their children but there are often intergenerational games and activities during the afternoon and each evening includes at least one all-camp activity, such as the talent show, "To Tell the Truth," a sing-along or a dance.

Each day begins with a 9 am in-gathering for adults and children. This short program often includes songs and a story for young children. The children then leave for their classes. While the age groupings sometimes change depending on the mixture of kids at the camp and the needs of individual children, the following is a typical class arrangement:

Children through age 12 have a morning program and activities following a theme consistent with the Unitarian Universalist Principles and Purposes, until Noon, when they join their parents for lunch. Each grouping of children has a teacher and a number of helpers, depending on the number of children in the group.

The Youth program is somewhat different, since the Youth have their own Youth Director, plus additional staff members, who are responsible for their program. The Youth also have a dedicated meeting space which is available to them throughout the day. The Youth program has proved to be very popular, with the Youth often taking responsibility for an evening worship service and other aspects of the all-camp program.

Many families return year after year to our camps because both adults and children love the program and the friends they make at Eliot. There is a family atmosphere among all the campers which provides many interactions across the generations, to the benefit of all.

A $50 per person deposit holds your place at camp when submitted with a completed application form. The balance of your payment will be due 60 days before camp or upon receipt of your invoice if you register within 60 days of camp.

Fees are determined by the length of the conference and type of housing. (See the Seabeck and Naramata web sites for a description of available housing.) Fees for children depend on age and accommodations. Rates are per person and include housing, meals and program for the entire camp. Fees are generally set once per year and are subject to change. There is a price break for sharing a room. At Naramata, reduced fees are available to those who bring a tent, trailer or camper and stay in the campground. There are funds available for scholarships. Some volunteer camp staff receive credits which may be applied to conference fees. Contact the Conference Deans for details and positions available.

Eliot Conferences are planned on the basis of full-time attendance, and we do not provide for partial attendance. For a truly cohesive community, we encourage campers to stay at Seabeck or Naramata for the entire conference. Visitors are welcome on the first and last days of each conference, and may join us for meals on those two days, but only if prior arrangement is made with the Administrator and any applicable fees paid.s