"Campers, like myself, have benefited from being at camp by learning how to make decisions. Independence is given to you, and you determine what you want to do. I got to do what I wanted to, not what someone else wanted. Sangamon has left me with friends and beautiful art work."

"I think campers gain a sense of independence, a sense that they CAN be on their own and that they WILL succeed."

"Old Vermont Day was an important and meaningful experience for me. At first I really was dreading the work. Having to get up early and do labor was not exactly my idea of summer fun. But when we got into the whole experience, I had fun and this event created a real sense of teamwork between the campers and staff and a real appreciation of the original farmers and families of the old days. After the work we had the best breakfast of the whole time I was at camp."

"Campers get a sense of togetherness and have a real sense of getting a choice in what they do. They benefit in learning teamwork skills and a knowledge of how to budget time."

"Campers get a real sense of who they are. When they are at Sangamon, it is like a fresh start. They can do anything they want to do and not be ridiculed for it. They don’t have pressures of trying to fit in like they do at home. They are able to explore areas of their personality that they never knew they had. "