Through four generations of family ownership, Scatico has worked to provide a second home for campers and staff from the moment they step through our gates. At Scatico, campers and staff explore, learn, and play together to discover passions, make lifelong friends, and grow into the fullest version of themselves.  Scatico empowers campers and staff to develop empathetic and socially-responsive ways of thinking, feeling, and living in an ever-changing world.

JUSTICE, EQUITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION (JEDI) LETTER

To the Scatico Community, 

At the time of writing this we are one month away from embarking on Scatico’s 100th summer. A centennial is a milestone that demands reflecting. It’s a number that asks us to pause, to remember, to imagine. As child development professionals, we are always looking forward;  always thinking of the next generation of leaders, thinkers, and doers and how to do better by them, and for them. 

Among the many pivotal events and forces that have shaped our most recent chapter in history is the  loud and unequivocal call for racial justice, equity, and progress that extends  beyond words and demands action.  As a family we spent many dinner conversations talking about how Scatico could be part of the change we want to see in the world. We were forced to ask ourselves hard questions about camp as a place built by white people for white people, and our own shortcomings with regards to inclusion. We are committed to doing the work to better  support and prioritize the safety of every member of our community, especially the most marginalized. 

As part of these conversations we worked with a JEDI consultant and laid plans for the ways Scatico could move forward and hold itself accountable. We developed the above Mission, Vision and Values statements to serve as our guiding principles, and to push us to take stock of our blind spots.

This letter serves to further affirm our commitment to equity and justice in all aspects of our organization, from our spending, to our hiring, to our family communications, to our camper programming. Among our ongoing commitments are:

• Creating a JEDI Committee to serve as a resource for campers and staff, so that we may prevent and not just react to issues regarding safety and inclusion at camp.

• Creating time and space for camper and staff community circles, which will, among other things, create structured safe spaces for campers and staff to share and embrace each other’s authentic identities.

• Implementing activities that develop socially responsive skills and mindsets that will support camper’s commitment to equity and social justice beyond the camp context. 

• Fostering partnerships with local organizations that will allow campers and staff to engage in hands-on programming focused on social justice.

• Continuing our partnership with Schaghticoke Nation, including an in-camp visit from Sachem HawkStorm, in order to educate our community about the indigenous history of our land and to show gratitude to the people whose land we occupy. 

• Re-evaluating our hiring and recruitment practices to ensure that we are representative of the world at large, and of the community we want to be.

•  Taking a careful look at traditions, especially those rooted in colonialism. We vow to prioritize the safety of campers and staff of marginalized identities over preserving traditions that no longer serve us.

• Including JEDI training during staff orientation and throughout the summer. 

• Seeking to expand financial aid access so more children have the opportunity to attend camp.

• Remaining accountable to community members of color, including implementing an evaluation and reflection process that centers their voices.

• Taking the lead from the organizations and marginalized voices from within the camping industry, who are at the forefront of this work.   

We often say camp is a journey. This work is also a journey. We may not know today what needs to be done tomorrow, but we are ready to learn and unlearn.

Camp is naturally a place of perspective- sharing and growth; a place to strengthen relationships across lines of difference. We are excited to further lean into this natural power of camp, and are here to listen, support and do the work needed for systemic change. 

David, Diana, Nicki and Audrey