Reimagining Teenage Leadership Development

Farm and Wilderness Foundation

Overview:

Tamarack Farm (TF), integral to Farm and Wilderness for over 80 years, encountered a significant challenge. The once-beloved refuge for campers struggled to captivate the interests of modern youth and their parents. The steadfastness of TF’s traditional programs failed to align with the evolving preferences of contemporary teenagers, impacting its growth.

In response, we took on redesigning the program from the ground up – aligning it with the expectations and desires of the current generation, intending to make it a sought-after destination for campers once more.

Approach:

1. Strategic Analysis:

   • Executed a comparative analysis of TF against other programs like SYEP and Outward Bound.

   • Assessed market trends and distinguished the strengths and shortcomings of TF.

2. Insightful Interviews:

   • Over twenty years, interviews with former staff and campers yielded insights into evolving experiences, aiding in refining TF’s goals.

3. Concept Refinement:

   • Developed and reviewed multiple camp versions with parents, enabling the incorporation of their feedback in finalizing a design focused on skill enhancement, comprehensive leadership training, and certification in lifeguarding and wilderness first aid.

4. Staff Empowerment:

   • Concurrently, a 12-week training in design thinking and innovation was provided to staff, equipping them to meet campers' changing needs proactively.

Results:

The rejuvenated Tamarack Farm was reintroduced in the summer of 2022. By July of the same year, the renewed program had welcomed over 50 campers, with 12 earning certifications in first aid and lifeguarding.

Early indicators of growing interest led Farm and Wilderness to extend our engagement for the transformation of three more camps and spearhead their strategic planning for 2025. This ongoing collaboration illustrates the adaptability and evolution potential within the camp industry, ensuring the continued provision of fulfilling experiences by Farm and Wilderness for the coming generations.

Check out some photos of the revamped program.