Hear what our families have to say

To say that a summer camp was one of the most influential places in my life sounds like a cliche but anyone will tell you, “YPI is not just a place it’s a state of mind.” It’s a state of mind that connects people from all walks of life. Those from large cities to those from Montana, those swimming in friends to those who take a deep breath before they to talk to others, introverts to extroverts, young to those glowing with experience, and those who make art with a paintbrush to those that make art with words or their bodies.

For two weeks of the year, the socially awkward, teenage version of myself was able to share a community with some of the most kind and talented people the world has to offer, leaving behind the worries and struggles that plagued my everyday life. Of course we were there to create art, my craft choice was dance. I grew up doing choreography of all types but a truly safe space really allowed me to dance. Without YPI, I wouldn’t know what it means to give my heart to choreography, to tell a story with my body, to connect an audience with the deep sentiment I was feeling. It’s the same for other artists. The depth of painting, the vulnerability of a song, the healing process of a poem. The skill is easy to teach, the passion is what comes from within.

YPI creates a space that allows all to feel comfortable enough to create something they otherwise may never be able to make. As great as the arts may be, I don’t remember the dances I learned many years ago; what I remember are the disguised lessons that carried me into adulthood. YPI taught me the importance of being present. I would do anything to feel the late night calm august air listening to Sal playing guitar, but now I find myself admiring the sheer beauty of existing. YPI taught me about acceptance; acceptance of others and acceptance of myself. The world is tormented by things that divide people from each other. YPI helped me make friends with people I others I might otherwise not talk to.

One of the most poignant things YPI taught me is the inherent similarity of all people. We all seek the feeling of comfort, purpose and love. We’ve all encountered troubles and toils but without love from each other the troubles present never ending. Whenever I experienced obstacles in my adolescence I remembered that there was good in the world, I belonged to a community of artists that often experienced the same pain that I did. And although we were together in person, the network of love and support extended past the grounds of Suffield Academy.  It is this similarity that has helped me in my career as a social worker. With each young person I encounter, I remember what Jeff instilled in each of us. There’s a value in each and every person we come in contact with. They impact our story good or bad but we can learn a lesson from every interaction.

Whenever my life becomes challenging, I remember that there is good in the world, there is a loving community of people I can lean to  years later and that we’re all a work in progress.

-Tatum Trowbridge, YPI Alumna