Camp Soulspring
Ages: 8-17 • Price: $750
2024 Dates:
SESSION 4 (7/7-7/12) • SESSION 5 (7/14-7/19) • SESSION 6 (7/21-7/26)
Email summerprograms@westminsterwoods.org or call us at 707-874-2426 ext. 612 with any questions.
about camp soulspring
Camp Soulspring is a faith-based Summer Camp that nurtures the social and spiritual development of young people by helping them explore how they can love their SONG (Self, Others, Nature, and God). Immersed in over 50 years of summer camp history, campers are swept away in a tidal wave of games, forest excursions, ropes course adventures, and sacred traditions. Within this beautifully diverse community, campers witness the natural wonders of the redwood forest and creatively explore their faith all while having more fun than you can possibly imagine. Our program is guided by a single proverb, commonly known as The Golden Rule: “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 7:12). This sentiment, spoken by Jesus Himself, and echoed in the texts of every major religion on earth, is the spiritual cornerstone of Camp Soulspring. We firmly believe the Golden Rule is “True North,” and we help campers find true north with whatever spiritual compass they’re holding.
Between our campers and staff, our population reflects the diversity of the greater Bay Area, which is to say that it is genuinely diverse in every way. Beginning on day one of Camp Soulspring, we deploy the first in a series of advanced social emotional learning (SEL) activities, anchored thematically to the Matthew 7:12 and designed to build bridges between campers from very different walks of life. In this first experience, we teach campers some simple skills, and then have them immediately apply those skills with other campers to instantly “break the ice” of the new community. As the session unfolds, we continue sequencing in thematic SEL activities enabling practical, age-appropriate explorations of the things that often act as barriers between different types of people. By taking this head-on approach to social tension, we form a true community, capable of solving conflicts in a peaceful way, and continuously fortified through campers learning and practicing increasingly advanced social skills. And the effects of these lessons reach far beyond the boundaries of camp, as the skills and friendships they develop here tend to last a lifetime.
“Westminster Woods is my home. It has been since I stepped foot on it 10 years ago, and will continue to be until I leave this Earth, maybe beyond. I do not know where I would’ve been without camp. It has taught me so much about myself, how to love myself, how to love others, how to love God. I will never, ever, be able to thank the Woods for all it has done for me. As a queer person it has shown me a christianity that is all about love and acceptance and isn’t weighed down by judgment and egotism. I know that when I cross that bridge I am loved unconditionally, and unendingly. It is truly my favorite place on Earth.””
How we embody Christ
At Camp Soulspring, we follow Christ as a perfect model for how to embody love; a true vessel of The Golden Rule in every way. At the end of Matthew 7:12 (The Golden Rule) when Jesus concludes with “…for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” we choose to believe Him. Matthew 7:12 sums up the spirit of Christianity, summarized and simplified perfectly by Jesus Himself, so that even a child can understand it. By helping campers discover The Golden Rule in their faith and in their hearts, we bring each individual closer to walking as Jesus walked, and loving as Christ loves. We are commissioned by Him to accept people who are different from us, who may hold different beliefs than us, and teach them to love as God loves us. The Gospel is brought to life again with every new session of Camp Soulspring as each new community embarks upon the collective journey of learning to love one another like their lives depend on it, because they do. This is God’s Love in action, and the truth of Jesus’s words are evident in the joy, spirit, and sense of belonging that all our campers feel when we simply follow his golden precept: “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you...” And so we do.
“I have gone to so many christian summer camps where they told me that if I don’t believe in Jesus, I would go to hell. This is the first camp where I felt accepted and respected in a way that allowed me the space to truly connect to God.” ”
Camp Soulspring’s Living Units
Once at camp, campers are divided by age into three different living units: Huckleberry, Driftwood, and Cascade. Each living unit resides in its own little corner of camp. While all of Camp Soulspring will be together on many occasions, campers spend the majority of mornings and evenings with their living units experiencing games, adventures, and activities designed to meet the unique needs of each age bracket.
Huckleberry is our youngest living unit, and resides in Huckleberry Hamlet, known to Woods alumni as the Creekside Cabins. Ages range from 8-11 years old.
Driftwood is our middle aged living unit, and resides up Driftwood Hill. Driftwood campers sleep outside under the stars or else in our yurts. Ages range from 11-14 years old.
Cascade is our oldest living unit, and resides at Cascade Canyon, known to Woods alumni as Central Camp. Ages range from 14-17 years old.
This model gives our younger campers the sense of graduating to more sophisticated programming as they age through the units.
Equipped with our diverse, exceptional, and highly trained summer staff, each living unit has assigned Cabin Leaders and Activity Directors dedicated to providing a transformational experience for each camper. Camp Soulspring is proud to have a 1:4 staff-to-camper ratio, ensuring that campers are well supervised and taken care of. For more information, check out our About Camp Soulspring Staff section.
a day in the life
Inspire
Inspire is a daily ceremony that happens directly after breakfast. We find it important to begin our days with a spiritual practice and this ceremony is how we do that. Each morning, our community gathers in a candle-lit space to sing, pray, and reflect. This meditation is guided through a medley of songs on piano and vocals, and we invite campers to sing along and pray aloud. Our hope during each Inspire is that campers feel a deep connection to their community, the natural beauty around them, and God. Inspire also serves to ground campers before the excitement of a full day at camp begins. Visit our Inspire page to learn more about the service.
Adventure Groups
After Inspire, campers spend the rest of the morning with their living unit, split into Adventure Groups. It is in these groups that a great deal of our curriculum is implemented through experiential education and social emotional learning. Check out more information about our SONG curriculum here.
Electives
During the first half of the afternoon, we give campers the power of choice through our afternoon electives. Electives are created by and based on our staff's unique skills and interests; some, like kickball, creek crawl, and karaoke are self-explanatory while others, such as Magic Makers, Wonderful Water Sliding, and Young Philosopher's Club must be experienced for themselves. Electives change every summer, depending on the interests of our campers and counselors. This results in a vibrant, ever-evolving series of choices that keeps the program feeling fresh and different. While campers choose the elective they attend for the afternoon, they are encouraged to remain for the duration.
Free Time
Unlike Electives, Free Time is unstructured. Campers have full autonomy to do as they wish while being supervised within specific designated areas of camp. Among other things, campers can choose to spend Free Time at the swimming pool, Challenge Course, cargo net, gaga ball pit, playground, basketball courts, The Craft Shack and/or napping in their cabin. Campers are free to switch amongst Free Time activities at their heart’s desire.
“I especially liked the [Challenge Course Elements] that push you out of your comfort zone and help you grow. It’s scary at first but afterwards it’s really memorable. I learned that when you do something fun and new but kinda scary it helps me grow.””
Evening Programming
Just like morning Adventure Group times, campers are with their living units in the evenings. Our dynamic evening programming brings a different adventure and liveliness each night. Some of our activities are pure fun, like our camp classic night swims, while others are more meaningful, like our introspective labyrinth walk. Evenings at Camp Soulspring are when campers adopt the fun child-like magic of night games and embrace the introspective exploration of social emotional learning activities. Whether it's climbing hills during Shiver-Me-Timbers or expressing gratitude for our community in New Eyes, campers connect with one another, embracing the open-heartedness of the evening atmosphere.
Campfire
Through testimonials, readings, skits, stories, music, and homilies, campers enter a sacred space every evening to reflect on the lessons they learned throughout the day. Our campfires are interactive worship services.
Cabin Harmonies
Facilitated by our highly trained staff, Cabin Harmonies are conversations that occur every night in the warmth of the cabin. Space is opened up for real conversations wherein every camper is listened to, empathized with, and respected. We believe that camp is special because it is a time where kids can formulate a community with one another to be their total selves; to be silly and goofy with no judgment, have extreme amounts of fun, create memories that will last for the rest of their lives, AND vulnerably open up and grow in a trusted space where it is safe to do so. Cabin Harmonies are a time where campers feel free to express thoughts, opinions, joys, and concerns in their lives with their cabin in a sacred space held with love and empathy.
Meals
Whether it's breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, or s'mores, our Food Service Team works hard to provide incredibly nutritious and delicious food. Meals are eaten together as cabin groups. A copy of the menu will be sent out the week before camp starts and SBJs (sunflower seed butter and jelly) are an alternate option for every meal. Westminster Woods accommodates a vegetarian diet but we strongly encourage families to bring their own food supplements for any other dietary needs.
Discover your SONG
Camp Soulspring’s social emotional learning curriculum encourages campers to build a spiritual identity. Campers do this by following Christ’s Teachings, with an emphasis on The Golden Rule (Matthew 7:12), in their relationship with their Self, Others, Nature, and God (SONG).
When we look at the brokenness in our world, we firmly believe three things are present: everyone wants love in their lives, everyone wants to grow their connections within their own SONG, and people often have difficulty deepening their relationship with their SONG. When we follow Christ’s Teachings, we are able to better understand and love our SONG. At Camp Soulspring, we teach campers that through listening, empathy, and respect, Love in Action can mend the broken. Our curriculum fosters the peaceful community we know is possible when people of different backgrounds come together, exemplifying the peaceful society we strive to live in, and embodying the peaceful world that God intends.
“This place is filled with so much love for one another and is a place where we can look past our own brokenness and each other which in turn allows us to openly receive healing with God.””
We Are a Faithfully Inclusive Camp
Many programs and organizations may say it, but we have in the past and continue to genuinely welcome any young person of any faith background into our community. And they’re not just welcome; we enthusiastically invite those individuals and every member of our community to openly share their own faith backgrounds if they’re willing. At Camp Soulspring, we invite energetic discussions about matters of faith. It is our experience that young people are hungry for such discussions and ripe with questions but often suppress those feelings for a multitude of reasons. We believe the process of sharpening one’s own beliefs, reasoning, and discovering clarity through powerful discussions is paramount to a healthy spiritual life. Of course, the ceremonies and traditions of Camp Soulspring are informed by our Christian faith, but we intentionally design each program feature to be inclusive and respectful to different points of view. Our emphasis on Matthew 7:12 is opportune because its sentiment is echoed in every other major religion on earth, and universally known as The Golden Rule. This allows us to transcend theological differences and speak the universal truth that is the Gospel while not compromising the beliefs of anyone. In doing so, we celebrate the diversity of beliefs, and bear witness to how this beautiful collection of different beliefs is sewn together with the golden thread of The Golden Rule, creating the living tapestry of Love & Faith our camp is renowned for.
About our Staff
“It is appalling that the most segregated hour of Christian America is eleven o’clock on Sunday morning.”
Because many religious communities are often racially segregated, Westminster Woods intentionally hires a racially diverse staff that share a common love for God, demonstrating the common love that is possible between individuals who come from different backgrounds. Our diverse staff is essential as we encourage campers to build spiritual community. Having diverse role models serves the combined goal of empowering campers to learn from both those who are similar to themselves and those who are different. We also find it important that the diversity of our staff reflects that of our campers.
Equipped with our diverse, exceptional, and highly trained summer staff, each living unit has assigned Cabin Leaders and Activity Directors dedicated to providing a transformational experience for each camper. Camp Soulspring is proud to have a 1:4 staff-to-camper ratio, ensuring that campers are well supervised and taken care of. Our Activity Directors are required to have at least two years of previous childcare experience and the majority of our Cabin Leaders are camper alumni. Many of our Summer Staffers are Teacher Naturalists, Westminster Wood’s Year Round Outdoor Education Facilitators. Each staff member goes through a week-long deliberate and focused training that ensures campers are well supported. Our staff is 18+ years old and all staff members are CPR certified and background checked.
Interested in working at camp this summer? Check out available positions below!
“I am so ridiculously fortunate and so deeply grateful to have had the relationship with this place that I have. I am the man I am today because of Camp; the staffers I looked up to as a kid and the generations of campers that have shared the good fortune of calling these trees home. In almost thirty years of growing up with Camp, I’ve witnessed first hand how all of its programs have the power to change lives but I felt called to return this past summer because the vision I saw arising was one that gave me a renewed sense of excitement: an opportunity to help build something that honors the roots of this place, while providing a relevancy to these new kids that require from us a modern way of holding an ancient conversation.”
frequently asked questions
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Yes! Links to our Discounts Form are made available on the registration payment page as well as the registration confirmation email. Please make sure your camper is fully registered before filling out the form.
2024 Summer Camp Discounts:
Multiple weeks discount ($50 for second and subsequent weeks)
Single Parent/Guardian Discount ($50 per camper)
Refer a Friend Discount ($50 if the friend is registered for camp; only 1-way referrals apply)
Alumni Discount – if the parent/guardian attended camp or was on staff at Westminster Woods in the past ($50 per camper)
Student Discount – if the parent/guardian is a current student ($75/camper)
If you are in need of additional funds, campership requests can be made on our campership and discount form.
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Yes! Many of the Teacher Naturalists and Challenge Course Facilitators from School Programs will be working at Camp Soulspring!
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Yes! There is a section on the Camper Application where this request can be made. We are almost certain to honor these requests provided the participants are close enough in age.
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Yes! Camp Soulspring recognizes, accepts, and celebrates all faith backgrounds. Please see our Faithfully Inclusive Camp section.