East Tennessee Unschooled Summer Camp

ETUSC is a 7 night camp for approximately 80 unschooling teens (13-18) from all over the country

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#tbt to ETUSC 2013 Check out our Instagram stories for more camp memories!

follow us on instagram www.instagram.com/etusc

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There are still a few spaces for ETUSC 2018!! Register today at etusc.com

#tbt to ETUSC 2014 pool days!!

follow us on instagram and check out the stories for more tbt pix instagram.com/etusc

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We're doing #fbf ETUSC style today! Check out #fotoboothfriday flashbacks in our stories! #fbf to ETUSC 2015 Dance FotoBooth! There are still a few spaces for ETUSC 2018!! Register today at www.etusc.com follow us on instagram and check out the stories for more fbf pix www.instagram.com/etusc

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There are still a few spaces for ETUSC 2018!! Register today at www.etusc.com #tbt to ETUSC 2013 pool days!! follow us on instagram and check out the stories for more tbt pix www.instagram.com/etusc

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Only 12 spaces left for ETUSC 2018!! Register today at www.etusc.com!! 🏕 #tbt to ETUSC 2015 pool days!! 🏊 See more tbt in our stories. Follow us on instagram www.instagram.com/etusc/

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Only 15 spots left for ETUSC 2018

Dates: August 12-19 Location: Maryville, TN

Are you ready for camp reunions, making new friends, hanging out by the pool, random jam sessions, Mentor Groups, the dance, and so much more? Then go get registered soon at www.etusc.com 🌳🌳🌳

East Tennessee Unschooled Summer Camp is a 7 night secular camp for approximately 80 unschooling teens (13-18) from all over the country. There are many activities, camper & staff run workshops, jam sessions, a hammock haven, bonfires, swimming, a climbing tower & ropes course, mentoring, dancing, making friends, and so much more.

We believe all children should be treated with respect and given opportunities for growth and connection without arbitrary boundaries that limit and confine their reaching, and that they should have a safe and loving environment to do so. It is our hope that our campers will learn more about themselves, make lifelong friendships, and discover new interests…all while having an amazing time in a beautiful setting.

ETUSC is a non-denominational, non-religious camp. We welcome campers and staff of all races, ethnic backgrounds, genders, religious beliefs, sexual orientations, economic backgrounds, political affiliations, and physical capabilities.

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LET'S TALK ABOUT THOSE CABINS!

With the new facility layout, we will be doing cabin assignments a bit differently than in the past. Younger first year campers will stay in a cabin (with indoor bathrooms) next to staff cabins. Older campers will stay in the cabins located down the hill and just past the camp lodge, there is a bath house next to these cabins. All cabins have heat and air. And cute porches!

Due to the new cabin options, I have been hard at work figuring out how to best arrange everyone. One of my priorities has been to make sure there is still a safe and comfortable place for non-binary and transgender campers. If you have had a chance to look at the new cabin options, you'll know that it's a little different than the huge bunkhouses with lots of smaller rooms.

Those smaller rooms made it a little easier to accommodate room requests; but after getting it all onto an excel sheet, I have been able to work it all out. This year, we will have a non-binary cabin (which is totally optional). This is a cabin for non-binary kids as well as transgender kids who do not yet feel comfortable choosing between the boy and girl cabins. Again, this is 100% optional. Our goal is the comfort and safety of all our campers.

Another change this year is that each cabin will have 1 or 2 Junior Mentors staying in them. Before, we had the Junior Mentors in one of the rooms in the larger bunkhouses. We are excited about these single room cabins as we feel it is going to create a lot more bonding opportunities than the many separate rooms in the large, spread out bunkhouses.

We are so excited about all the new experiences and opportunities we will have at Montvale. We believe this change will bring our already close-knit community together more than ever before.

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Only 25 spots left for ETUSC 2018

Has this long winter got you dreaming about warm pool days at ETUSC? Well don't miss your chance to join all the fun in 2018! There are only 25 spots left, so get registered soon at etusc.com Dates: August 12-19 Location: Maryville, TN 

East Tennessee Unschooled Summer Camp is a 7 night secular camp for approximately 80 unschooling teens (13-18) from all over the country. There are many activities, camper & staff run workshops, jam sessions, a hammock haven, bonfires, swimming, a climbing tower & ropes course, mentoring, dancing, making friends, and so much more.

We believe all children should be treated with respect and given opportunities for growth and connection without arbitrary boundaries that limit and confine their reaching, and that they should have a safe and loving environment to do so. It is our hope that our campers will learn more about themselves, make lifelong friendships, and discover new interests...all while having an amazing time in a beautiful setting.

ETUSC is a non-denominational, non-religious camp. We welcome campers and staff of all races, ethnic backgrounds, genders, religious beliefs, sexual orientations, economic backgrounds, political affiliations, and physical capabilities.

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CLIMBING TOWER & LOW ROPES COURSE

This year, we will be going back to sign up forms for the climbing tower and low ropes course (there is no zipline). The reason for this is that the new facility charges $40 per person. At ACC it was an affordable flat fee for 2 hours. Back at BMC it was $15 per camper, but that was nearly 10 years ago and it was also a well-funded church organization and they were able to offer it much cheaper. Montvale is not and pays an outside company to run their course. We will only be charging $25 this year to absorb some of the $40 cost with a goal to go down to $15 next year. This means that each person who participates must sign up and pay ahead of time. There is now a form on the website, be sure to look for that when finishing up your camp paperwork.

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The video for ETUSC 2017 is finished!!

Register for 2018 at www.etusc.com Dates: August 12-19

East Tennessee Unschooled Summer Camp is a 7 night secular camp for approximately 80 unschooling teens (13-18) from all over the country. There are many activities, camper & staff run workshops, jam sessions, a hammock haven, bonfires, swimming, a climbing tower & ropes course, mentoring, dancing, making friends, and so much more.

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Half the spots for ETUSC 2018 are already filled!! Get registered soon and be a part of making first-year-memories at Camp Montvale!! For now, let's enjoy these memories of playing sand volleyball, improv night, fog time, the tape making workshop, and field day pyramids. August 12-19 www.etusc.com

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IMPORTANT CAMP ANNOUNCEMENT: ETUSC will have a new location AND date this year. Camp will take place at a beautiful facility in Maryville, TN...just two and a half hours west of our previous location. The new dates are August 12th-19th. I know this is sudden, and we sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause our staff and campers. After camp last year, we were called to a meeting with ACC. They expressed several concerns about our group and wanted to set up some new guidelines. One of those guidelines is: "all groups must separate sleeping quarters and restrooms along traditional, biological gender lines.” In case it's unclear, this guideline is directed at transgender campers and staff. I immediately told them that was not something we could do. We have been emailing over the last few months trying to come to an agreement. They took my concerns and my request for an exception to the board meeting at the end of January. We were denied. One of my questions to them was how they planned to enforce this rule and they took that question to the board as well. The board's response was "that it is the responsibility of the leader of the group to insure that the policy is followed, since the group leader signs the rental agreement which includes following camp’s policies." Another thing they took issue with was our paint wall. On it were the words "gay" and "trans" and they did not want those words so prominently displayed because it would "cause some to think that those messages are [their] messages." Others being anyone who might come to do business at their office while we are there. They also didn't like the language they heard being used sometimes and that there was often kissing and so they made a very specific language rule as well as a no public displays of affection other than hand-holding or brief friendly hugs rule. I get this. I know they want to have a positive, wholesome environment. But our kids are not using language against one another, they are using cuss words. They kiss, hug, and have huge cuddle puddles. They love and respect one another and show their affection often. We have our own policies regarding sexual conduct at camp, but we are not shutting down public kissing and hugging. I know we could choose to come back and try to fly under their radar. But camp is a safe place where everyone can be themselves without the fear of judgment and persecution. Flying under the radar would mean hiding who we are. I will not ask any of my campers or staff to do that. And I will not ask them to censor their pride when they want to put it on the paint wall. When I contacted the new camp and told them about our situation they said "We are both open and inclusive. We are glad to partner with any group that helps children reach their potential. We believe in making all welcome." The facility is beautiful and meets all of our camp needs. Except there are no fancy staff or parent lodges. So far my staff is okay with this, I hope that our parent volunteers will be as well. I also hope that changing locations will not be a deal breaker for any staff or campers. If it is, I totally understand but we must move forward. I know this is a lot of change and that can be stressful. But we're a pretty awesome group and I know we are going to make the absolute best of this situation and become an even better camp for it. My heart has been heavy for so many reasons since camp last year. Being able to finally share it with you all is a relief. This huge change is forcing me to grow in ways I really do not want to right now, but I think it is making me stronger and realize that I am capable of standing up for something that I believe in even if it means turning everything inside out. I love you all and I can't wait to see what the future brings. The new location is Camp Montvale in Maryville, TN. It's the camp started by Harmony Family Center, a non-profit organization who I am extremely proud to support with our dollars. This is the link for the camp page on their website, but please look over the whole site to get an idea of how special they are. http://harmonyfamilycenter.org/montvale/

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Registrations are rolling in. Get yours in and start dreaming of warm camp days to come...Mentor Questions Anonymous, Field Day, Paint Wall, and Water Shadows are just a few of the awesome things we're looking forward to. www.etusc.com

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ETUSC 2018 is waiting for YOU!! Register today at www.etusc.com

East Tennessee Unschooled Summer Camp is a 7 night secular camp for approximately 80 unschooling teens (13-18) from all over the country.

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ETUSC 2018 Registration opens February 1st!! you don't want to miss random morning dance offs, cool workshops, camp fires, mentor groups, the talent show...and so much more!! etusc.com

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HEY FOLKS!! ETUSC 2018 Registration opens February 1st!! woohoo!! www.etusc.com

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Early Registration Is Now Closed

Regular Registration Opens February 1st

www.etusc.com