Facilities Grounds: Passive Projects

Camp Stories

A building-design framework that promises minimal energy use
By Timothy Lock
Shelter is the physical manifestation of a person’s unique ecological condition—a direct interface with nature, and perhaps nowhere is this gradient more abrupt than at camp. The buildings become indelible reminders of this interplay to the campers who use them, and can become the primary nostalgic touchpoint years later. Whether it is the place one etched a name, or the banner hung in the dining hall, or a specific bench around a fire ring—these spaces hold a primary role in how “camp” is remembered. Many of these memories center around beautiful, old, rustic buildings. While many historic camps have equally historic structures, how does the next generation of camp buildings carry on this tradition, and, more importantly, how do we seize the opportunity to enhance that ecology?