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Express C.A.M.P.

Character. Attitude. Morals. Perspective.

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.?

Three small children working at the Ullem Campus Farm during the Prindle Institute's Express camp.
Campers at the Ullem Campus Farm

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.

Apply for Express C.A.M.P. Apply today!

2024 Express C.A.M.P Application

  • If you experience difficulties filling out this form, please email Emily Knuth (eknuth@depauw.edu).
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Details

A young child in a purple tie-dye shirt writes in a notebook at a picnic table next to a plate of waffles
A time for reflection...and waffles!
  • The camp takes place from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., July 8-12, 2024 at the Prindle Institute for Ethics, 2961 W. County Road 225 South, Greencastle, IN. Using Google Maps, it is best to search “Prindle Institute for Ethics” rather than the physical address. Often the physical address will take you to the mailbox at the end of the drive rather than the building.
  • Breakfast, lunch and snack served daily.
  • Parents should sign up well before the May 24 deadline, as our camps fill up quickly.
  • Registration is $300 if your application is received by the deadline. The cost is $200 for each additional child registered in the same family. If for any reason camp is closed all registrants will receive a full refund.
    • Scholarships are available. Contact Emily Knuth (eknuth@depauw.edu) to be considered for a scholarship.

Important Information for Parents

Typical Day’s Schedule

  • Breakfast
  • Freetime
  • Snack
  • Teaching Children Philosophy and Outdoor Time
  • Lunch
  • Art, Science, Outdoor Time
  • Snack
  • Dismissal
  • We will go to the Campus Farm on Thursday and to the Lilly Center pool on Friday

Medication & Illness

  • For liability purposes, a parent or guardian needs to complete the medical permission form if your camper will need prescription medicine(s) administered by the camp staff during the day, or if your camper needs to carry, and perhaps self-administer, an epi-pen or rescue inhaler.
  • Medications need to be hand-delivered to Emily Knuth at registration on the first day.
  • If your camper(s) is riding the bus, please contact Emily (eknuth@depauw.edu) to set up a time to drop off the medication prior to the start of camp.
  • Camp staff will not administer over-the-counter medications during camp.
  • Should your camper become ill during camp, we will contact you or your emergency contact. Ill campers must be picked up within one hour after notification.

Transportation & Building Information

Camp Transportation

Emily will contact the parents/guardians of campers needing transportation via email two weeks prior to camp with their camper’s estimated morning pick up and afternoon drop off times. DePauw staff who have completed a driver’s safety course will drive the vehicles.

Car Drop-offs

  • On the first day of camp, please park in the lower parking lot and walk your camper inside to check in. Accessible parking for persons with disabilities is available at the top of the hill near the building.
  • For the remainder of the week, you may drop off your camper at the end of the sidewalk around the circle drive. A camp staff member will meet your campers at the end of the sidewalk. Please do not drop off your camper if a camp staff person is not present.
  • Drop-off times are between 7:50 – 8:00 a.m. We are unable to take campers prior to 7:50 a.m.
  • Please refrain from lining up at the gate prior to 7:50 a.m. We need to keep that area clear so that camp staff can arrive earlier than campers.

Car Pick-Ups

  • Dismissal is promptly at 3 p.m. Please arrive and line up between 2:50 – 3:00 p.m. around the circle drive.
  • The first vehicle should pull around to the walkway bridge leading to the Bartlett Reflection Center to allow for efficient dismissal.
  • We ask that everyone, including parents and guardians, show a government-issued ID when picking up your camper during dismissal or for an illness. We will release campers to only those listed on your camper’s registration form.
  • At check-in on the first day, parents and guardians will receive name cards. Please display your name card in your front window when picking up your camper. Doing so will help us quickly and smoothly proceed through the process.

Miscellaneous

  • The Prindle Institute doors are locked during camp. If you need to pick up your child early for any reason, please text Emily at 765-720-5352 ahead of your arrival. Please have your camper wear comfortable clothes, closed-toed shoes, and a hat if they would like.
  • We will be outdoors as much as possible. We will provide sunscreen (Banana Boat Sport 50+ SPF) and insect repellant (Cutter Skinsations). If your camper is allergic to these particular brands, or you would prefer to provide your own, please drop it off at check in on the first day of camp.
  • Please send a water bottle on the first day with their name on it that we can keep at the Prindle Institute for the entire week.

Please email Emily Knuth eknuth@depauw.edu with any questions.

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.
  • Turn in your cell phone to Prindle Institute staff for storage in a locked office upon arrival each day. (Phones will be returned at dismissal each day. Prindle Institute staff is accessible at all times during each camp day to answer questions about campers’ well-being.)
  • Use an indoor voice when indoors.
  • When riding in transportation provided by the camp, respect the 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:

  1. Redirection of camper to change behavior
  2. One verbal warning
  3. Time away from the group with a camp counselor or staff member
  4. Conversation/phone call with the parents/guardians and follow up letter will be sent home
  5. 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.

Visit Us.

ADDRESS

2961 W County Road 225 S
Greencastle, IN 46135
765.658.5857

 

DIRECTIONS

BUILDING HOURS

Monday-Friday: 8AM-5PM
Saturday-Sunday: Closed