Draft:Circle M Day Camp
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AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR YOUR FEEDBACK. I HAVE INCLUDED A NEW VERSION WITH COMPLETE REFERENCES ADDED. THIS IS MY FIRST WIKIPEDIA ARTICLE, SO IF I HAVE NOT FORMATTED REFERENCES CORRECTLY, I'LL APPRECIATE ADDITIONAL HELP.
| Formation | 1953 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Marcy and Bob Brower |
| Dissolved | 1999 |
| Type | Day camp |
| Legal status | Closed |
| Headquarters | Wheeling, Illinois, United States |
Region served | Chicago metropolitan area |
Parent organization | American Camp Association |
| Affiliations | ACA Mid States Section |
Circle M Day Camp was a coeducational day camp in Wheeling, Illinois, that operated from 1953 to 1999. Founded by educators Marcy and Bob Brower, the camp emphasized child-centered development, social skills, and community building.[1] It was notable for early efforts in racial integration,[2] LGBTQ+ inclusion,[3] and adaptive programming for children with disabilities.[4] The Browers were active in the Mid States Section of the American Camp Association (ACA), and many of the camp's practices, including structured group meetings and counselor training models, influenced other camps in the region.[5] Circle M closed following the founders' retirement and was sold to Camp Ramah.[6]
History and philosophy
[edit]Circle M emphasized a child-centered approach that focused on personal development, social skills, and community building. Daily group meetings, facilitated by counselors, provided campers with opportunities to practice communication, problem-solving, and conflict resolution.[7][8]
Diversity and inclusion
[edit]During the 1960s, Circle M implemented measures to increase racial integration at a time when many private camps in the Midwest remained segregated. Following the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the camp partnered with families from Chicago’s Cabrini Green housing project to bring African-American children to camp, initially through homestays and later via daily bus transportation from Chicago and Evanston.[9][10]
In later decades, Circle M also developed policies supportive of LGBTQ+ staff and campers. These initiatives were later referenced in American Camp Association programming on inclusivity.[11][12]
Involvement in the American Camp Association
[edit]The Browers were active in the Mid States Section of the American Camp Association, contributing to policy discussions on inclusivity, staff training, and camper safety. Practices developed at Circle M, such as structured group discussions and diversity outreach initiatives, were presented at ACA conferences and adapted by other camps in the region.[13][14]
Circle M’s contributions included:
- Integration programs, informing regional inclusion strategies.[15]
- Structured group meetings for campers, adopted by other camps.[16][17]
- LGBTQ+ inclusion policies referenced in ACA resources.[18][19]
- Counselor training emphasizing communication, cultural awareness, and conflict management.[20][21]
- Adaptive programming for children with disabilities.[22]
Influence on other camps
[edit]Circle M’s practices were cited by or incorporated into other camp programs, including:
- Camp Echo (Michigan), which introduced structured group discussions following ACA conference exchanges.[23]
- Evanston YMCA camps, which developed outreach programs in the 1970s in partnership with Circle M.[24]
- Chicago-area day camps adopting staff training approaches in cultural competence and conflict resolution.[25]
Awards and recognitions
[edit]- Circle M Day Camp
- Founders: Marcy and Bob Brower
- ACA Distinguished Service Award (1999).[29]
- Mid States ACA Legacy of Leadership Award (2000s).[30]
- Honor Award, Illinois Section of ACA (1980s).[31]
- Pioneers of Camping Club honorees (2015).[32]
- Namesakes of ACA Illinois programs, including the Marcy & Bob Brower Campership Fund and the Marcy and Bob Brower Award for Innovative & Intentional Professional Development.[33]
Legacy
[edit]Circle M’s practices continued to influence other camps and ACA standards after its closure in 1999, particularly in areas of inclusion, counselor training, and group dynamics.[34][35]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ GoCamp.pro. "Mini Profile: Marcy Brower and Circle M Day Camp." 2021.
- ^ American Camp Association. "Desegregating Circle M Day Camp: Determination to Succeed." ACA Blog, 2016.
- ^ American Camp Association. "Why LGBTQ Camp Programs Are Important." ACA Blog, 2019.
- ^ American Camp Association. "Inclusivity and Professional Development in Camps." ACA Conference Proceedings, 2000.
- ^ American Camp Association. "Mid States Section Policy and Program Innovations." ACA Reports, 1995–2005.
- ^ GoCamp.pro. "Mini Profile: Marcy Brower and Circle M Day Camp." 2021.
- ^ American Camp Association. "Group Dynamics and Community Building in Day Camps." ACA Journal, 2018.
- ^ American Camp Association. "Desegregating Circle M Day Camp: Determination to Succeed." ACA Blog, 2016.
- ^ Chicago Tribune Archives. "Chicago’s Cabrini Green families partner with suburban camp." 1968.
- ^ American Camp Association. "Why LGBTQ Camp Programs Are Important." ACA Blog, 2019.
- ^ GoCamp.pro. "Mini Profile: Marcy Brower and Circle M Day Camp." 2021.
- ^ American Camp Association. "Mid States Section Policy and Program Innovations." ACA Reports, 1995–2005.
- ^ American Camp Association. "Inclusivity and Professional Development in Camps." ACA Conference Proceedings, 2000.
- ^ Camp Echo Newsletter. "Inspiration from Circle M: Implementing Group Dynamics." 1998.
- ^ Chicago Tribune Archives. "Chicago’s Cabrini Green families partner with suburban camp." 1968.
- ^ American Camp Association. "Group Dynamics and Community Building in Day Camps." ACA Journal, 2018.
- ^ American Camp Association. "Inclusivity and Professional Development in Camps." ACA Conference Proceedings, 2000.
- ^ GoCamp.pro. "Mini Profile: Marcy Brower and Circle M Day Camp." 2021.
- ^ Camp Echo Newsletter. "Inspiration from Circle M: Implementing Group Dynamics." 1998.
- ^ American Camp Association. "Inclusivity and Professional Development in Camps." ACA Conference Proceedings, 2000.
- ^ Camp Echo Newsletter. "Inspiration from Circle M: Implementing Group Dynamics." 1998.
- ^ American Camp Association. "Inclusivity and Professional Development in Camps." ACA Conference Proceedings, 2000.
- ^ Camp Echo Newsletter. "Inspiration from Circle M: Implementing Group Dynamics." 1998.
- ^ Evanston YMCA Historical Archives. "Partnership with Circle M for Diversity Initiatives." 1975–1980.
- ^ Evanston YMCA Historical Archives. "Partnership with Circle M for Diversity Initiatives." 1975–1980.
- ^ American Camp Association. "Eleanor P. Eells Award Recipients." 1990s.
- ^ SCOPE Midwest. "Award Recipients and Honorees." 1998.
- ^ Camping Magazine. "PEN Award Winners." 1995.
- ^ American Camp Association. "Distinguished Service Award Recipients." 1999.
- ^ ACA Mid States Conference Proceedings. "Legacy of Leadership Awards." 2000s.
- ^ ACA Illinois Section. "Honor Award Recipients." 1980s.
- ^ Camping Magazine. "Pioneers of Camping." 2015.
- ^ ACA Illinois. "Campership Funds and Professional Development Awards." 2020.
- ^ American Camp Association. "Inclusivity and Professional Development in Camps." ACA Conference Proceedings, 2000.
- ^ Camp Echo Newsletter. "Inspiration from Circle M: Implementing Group Dynamics." 1998.
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