Character. Attitude. Morals. Perspective.
Young children face an increasingly divided world, where they often lack the models and tools they need for respectful disagreement and positive dialogue. Express C.A.M.P. (Character, Attitude, Morals, Perspective) is a week-long summer camp led by local Putnam County K-5 educators and college-aged counselors that’s designed to teach first- through fifth-grade children how to actively engage with others who might have different views, while also encouraging them to express and develop their own values.
What is Express C.A.M.P.?

The fun, meaningful activities at Express C.A.M.P. provide local schoolchildren with experiences centered on building character, expressing values and building empathy. The camper’s cornerstone experience at Express C.A.M.P. is an in-depth exposure to philosophy through the stories and themes of well-known children’s books.
Details

- The camp takes place from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. for one week in early July.
- Breakfast, lunch and snack served daily.
- Parents should sign up well before the May 1 deadline, as our camps fill up quickly.
- Registration is $150 if your application is received by the deadline. Siblings receive a $50 discount! If for any reason camp is closed all registrants will receive a full refund.
- Scholarships are available. Contact Leslie Petiniot (lesliepetiniot@depauw.edu) to be considered for a scholarship.





Here are the books we featured at camp this summer!
Frederick by Leo Lionni
Hey Little Ant by Hannah and Philip Hoose
Enemy Pie by Derek Munson
Another by Christian Robinson
A Little Bit Brave by Nicola Kinner
Express C.A.M.P. Behavior Policy
The counselors of Express C.A.M.P (Character, Attitude, Morals, and Perspective) and Prindle Institute camp staff want to offer your child the best experience possible while attending our camp this summer. Therefore, we need each camper to understand and follow the camp guidelines and rules. These guidelines are in place to ensure the safety and well-being of your child, fellow campers and camp staff.
- Listen to camp counselors and staff members.
- Respect camp counselors, staff, and fellow camp participants.
- Respect camp property, the Prindle Institute, and field trip locations.
- Keep your hands, feet, and other objects to yourself.
- Use an indoor voice when indoors.
- When riding the bus, respect the bus driver and fellow campers, and remain seated at all times.
- Follow the counselors’ instructions at all times, including field trips to the nature park, Lilly Center pool, and the campus farm.
- Clean up after yourself.
- Be positive, kind to others, and have fun!
Should a camper choose not to follow the rules, the steps listed below will be used to handle the situation:
- Redirection of camper to change behavior
- One verbal warning
- Time away from the group with a camp counselor or staff member
- Conversation/phone call with the parents/guardians and follow up letter will be sent home
- Removal from the camp
If the camper engages in behavior that is a threat of bodily harm to themselves or others, or the physical property, parents or guardians will be called immediately. If such behavior warrants, a meeting with parents may be needed and could result in suspension or removal from camp.
Situations that will result in an automatic behavior warning report include: stealing, use of profanity, excessive violence (hitting, kicking, biting, etc.) and property damage.
Please review these rules and expectations with your child. The camp staff will also review these rules with your child at the beginning of camp.
Parents/guardians are not entitled to a tuition refund if their child is removed from Express C.A.M.P.