DM summer camp is a place for kids from all over, and especially something we can do to support the youth in our neighborhood – from Bowie and from the local Native American reservations.  We have a beautiful place, and it's a perfect place for them to get together for healthy summer fun.  The first session was in July of 2005.  We expected about ten young people to show up, but the idea was much more popular than we had anticipated, and it turned out to be around 40!

Feedback from last year's camp: "Overall, the camp was a definite success.  The kids stayed together, played together, and (sort of) prayed together in the Apache way as guided by Manny on several occasions.  They received messages of tolerance, love, and living sustainably on the Earth, and they developed a respect and affection for Diamond Mountain.  Many parents were obviously impressed by the camp, and kids returned home with crafts they had made and memories of good experiences surviving the desert heat with kids very different from themselves.  My godsons and I are definitely hoping to come back again next year."

In the future we are hoping to build facilities so the children will be more comfortable in the hot desert summer. We have plans for two straw bale bunk houses, to be built within the next few years. As you can see from the attached drawings, they will be simple but comfortable and eco-friendly.

Meanwhile for this summer, we are hoping to buy some sturdy wall tents, which will serve as housing until the bunk houses can be built.

Last year's leaders:

Eliana Morris has worked as a social worker and elementary school teacher for 12 years. For the past three years she has been teaching a curriculum in grades 3-6 founded in the study of virtues and how ethical choices creates positive change in one's life.

In additon to home-schooling their own boys, Manny and Rose Medina have participated in various spiritual retreats that included spirit walks, dreamcatcher workshops, drumming, shaman journeying, dancing, singing, and playing music. They have also participated in various Native American functions for local schools. Manny is a former counselor for 7th and 8th graders at Douglas Junior High and a volunteer for Southern Arizona Search and Rescue. They feel a deep connection with the land at D.M. and also with working with children to teach them about honoring our Mother Earth and living in harmony, grace, peace and dignity with all.

Kathryn Ehrhorn started and administered a 5-campus charter school serving SE Arizona children for 6 years. She is passionate about life in the desert and has hosted adventure programs at her homes in the wilderness for kids of all ages for more than a decade. Kathryn currently lives at Diamond Mountain with her two beautiful teen-aged sons, Grail and Zeleigh, from whom she takes most of her leads in life.

Earle Birney has been doing youth work, mostly with youth at risk and on probation for over 6 years. He has a BA in Leisure Studies, and is currently running leadership development programs in Cochise county.

Rob Haggerty has helped manage and coach summer lacrosse camps for youth in Seattle, Washington and on Long Island, New York. He helped with some fun activities like going to the Bowie pool for the day.

If you would like to help with next year's youth camp, please consider making a donation.

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