On a recent trip to Brown County in partnership with VOICES Corp, Camptown Program Manager Dillon Lockwood observed change in the making with one of the Camptown kids there with him. We like to emphasize how more time spent with a student typically creates more impact. However, for some kids simply being brought outdoors can make the experience “click.” Dillon gave us some insight into VOICES participant Miles’s Camptown experience:
Camptown’s partnership with VOICES creates space for discovery and transformation, especially with young people whose potential is often overlooked. Our recent wilderness trip with the VOICES boys demonstrated once again how the outdoors can unlock hidden strengths in youth who rarely get the chance to explore beyond their neighborhoods.
Miles was one of the youngest participants on our trip and the newest addition to the Voices Corp boys program. We had only driven to the campsite, set up camp, and prepared for our first hike – less than four hours into our journey together – when Miles shared a powerful realization: “If I had done this before I would have never been on probation.”
Moments like these remind us why our work matters – it demonstrates how these experiences show participants they have the power to change their own trajectories. Miles discovered something about himself in those first few hours outdoors that had eluded him in more familiar environments. His newfound awareness wasn’t just significant for his personal growth – it has the potential to inspire others around him. When young people like Miles discover their capacity for positive change in the wilderness, the impact extends far beyond the campsite. It reaches into neighborhoods, schools, and families – creating ripples of possibility where they’re needed most.
Miles and the rest of the VOICES group enjoyed Brown County State Park through journaling, hiking, learning about our environment, and friendly competition. If you’re interested in supporting kids like Miles through donation or volunteer opportunities, reach out to us! We’d love to get you involved in creating transformative experiences for the students we serve. Give us a call at 317-471-8277, email us at info@camptown.org, or check out the “get involved” page on our website for more information and to sign up.