What happens at BridgeCamp?
At BridgeCamp, you and your child take part in the same activities. You might cross a rope bridge, pitch in on a service project, or sit down for a guided conversation about what you noticed in each other.
Three ways to spend time together
The activities give you something real to talk about. The conversations help you practice listening, saying what you need, and making thoughtful choices you can carry home.
Learning together
In guided discussions, you’ll reflect on the day together. What felt hard? When did you feel supported? What could you do differently the next time you disagree?
Serving together
Take on a service project with a shared purpose. Past projects have included clearing trails and caring for camp spaces. Working side by side gives you a chance to see how each of you contributes.
Adventuring together
Outdoor activities like fishing or a ropes course give you time to try something together. A challenge can give each of you a chance to ask for help, offer encouragement, and see what you can do as a team.
Questions families ask
Who can attend?
BridgeCamp is designed for parents and kids to attend together. Past camps have included parent–teen sessions for ages 13–17 and preteen day camps for ages 8–12. Check each session’s age range when the new lineup is available.
Do parents and kids participate together?
Yes. BridgeCamp is built around shared experiences, so parents and kids do activities and take part in guided conversations together. The exact activities vary by session and location.
Are meals and lodging included?
What’s included depends on the session. If you need to plan for meals or overnight accommodations before registration opens, email BridgeCamp.
How do I register?
Join the camp updates list for the next announcement. When registration opens, the parent creates an account first and then registers both the parent and child for the chosen session.
Hear when the next camps are announced
Sign up for camp announcements and BridgeCamp news.
Get camp updates
What We Do at BridgeCamp
BridgeCamp is an immersive, experiential camp designed to solidify the bond between parents and kids.
We develop our camp activities to help participants see each other in situations beyond regular, day-to-day life.
Typical communication barriers are removed, creating opportunity to make meaningful connection and solid relationships.
We believe in Learning, Serving, and Adventuring - together
SERVING TOGETHER
Service requires a certain level of empathy and agency; it provides an opportunity to see the world through a different lens. Serving together allow us to be meaningful participants in our own lives, and the lives of others.
WHY?
There is a unique effect on the hearts and minds of youth when serving others. Service has the power to change them in a way that no educational lesson can: by encouraging them to make the world a better, kinder place.
When serving together, fathers and sons gain the opportunity to witness one another fully committing to a cause outside of themselves. This sacrifice of one’s time, energy, and attention allows us to access a certain level of humility. When done with someone important to us it creates a unique connection and as father and son, allows each person to see one another let go of themselves and embrace the needs of another.
WHAT?
Each day brings a new opportunity to perform a unique service project. Most projects will be in conjunction with Camp Oakley. (Other projects might be clean-up services for local groups and/or communities.)
Site cleanup at Reins at SaddleView Ranch (the equine center)
Trail cleanup and maintenance at Camp Oakley
Project at NAC while doing the ropes course (details coming)
HOW?
Bridgecamp staff will coordinate service projects and opportunities with Camp Oakley, Reins at Saddle View Equine, and the NAC (National Ability Center). Each project will be approximately 3 hours in length and will include activities such as building sheds and structure, clearing and cleaning trails from deadfall and debris, painting, building fences, and many other activities.
Tools and equipment needed to fulfill these service projects will be provided by the Bridgecamp staff and/or the facility whom we are serving.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF SERVING TOGETHER?
Participants naturally shift their focus outward and beyond personal gain.
Participants talk and connect while working together.
Participants see and help one another accomplish something difficult - there is strength in struggle!
Participants experience a sense of achievement upon completion of a challenging task/project.
ADVENTURING, TOGETHER
There is nothing more empowering than learning new skills, overcoming challenges, growing in confidence, and reaching one’s full potential. Done together, and sharing in the journey, creates an unforgettable connection!
WHY?
Learn to develop shared goals, and help one another achieve those goals.
Engage in activities that push your limits and allow you to explore outside your comfort zone.
Awaken the inner explorer within each participant, and instill the belief that they are capable of climbing mountains and accomplishing anything.
Doing this together with father and son allows them to rely on each other and to help one another accomplish their individual and collective goals.
Individually: each participant sees that they are capable of overcoming challenges.
Collectively: participants seeing one another do difficult and challenging things enables a sense of empathy and connection.
WHAT?
Ropes Course
Equine experience
Mountainside rescue activity
Mine field activity
Activity Trek – 10 separate stations where participants will experience things such as: Archery, yoga (mindfulness), rope tying, an art station, connection and communication station, fishing, etc.
HOW?
Removing distractions.
Creating memories.
Doing difficult things, both individually and collectively.
Working and communicating together
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF ADVENTURING TOGETHER?
Gain self-confidence – learn that they can do hard things
Build trust between father and son – learn that they can depend on one another and do hard things together!
Learning each other’s fears and vulnerabilities helps the duo learn empathy for one another, which tears down walls and facilitates connection.
LEARNING, TOGETHER
As we inevitably rise and fall throughout our lives, our experiences create a continuous learning opportunity. No matter how positive or negative the relationship, shared learning is inevitable.
WHY?
To help process the day’s events and discuss principles learned.
Have guided discussions about relationships, communication, connection, etc.
Everyone will be able to learn from each other’s shared experiences.
Learning together as father and son will create deeper levels of understanding and connection.
WHAT?
Fireside chats, discussions, and presentations on specific topics such as:
The 3 C’s – connection, communication, choice
Self-awareness
Power of connection
Journaling and vow of silence
Vulnerability and connection
Connect with self
“Surrendering and letting go” exercise
HOW?
Each night of the camp will include a fireside discussion and summary of the day’s events.
Processing and presentations
Guest speakers and presenters
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF LEARNING TOGETHER?
Processing and learning together will allow the participants to grow and expand their understanding of themselves and each other.
Lay the groundwork for improved communication between father and son.
Develop deep rooted connections that will improve and help their relationships.