Earth Camp is a special place. At the heart of our work is a striving to enhance young people's sense of relationship with themselves, each other, and with the world. Our belief is that children who attend Earth Camp gain a stronger sense of the diversity of life and possess new tools to assist them in sustaining relationships with their peers, families, and the community-at-large through understanding diversity, peacemaking, human worth, dignity, and respect, and through their own role in the world.

We believe that children should have a safe and nourishing structured environment where they can grow in the company of their peers and under the guidance of positive role models. We seek to provide a space where children are free of bullying, all forms of violence, and negative influences. Rather, Earth Camp is a place where human dignity and respect are cherished, where children are affirmed and encouraged to grow into their full potential in body, mind, and spirit, and where children can be simply that, children. Rarely will one hear a staff person raising their voice to a child at Earth Camp. Positive reinforcements are utilized in behavioral management and we talk campers through behavioral issues, helping to understand the natural consequences of their actions rather than responding punitively. We devote energy towards fostering group cohesiveness, in recognition of the importance of community and believing that children succeed in a positive group setting. There are very few competitive elements at camp and we emphasize the ability of each child to succeed in her/his own way.

We are committed to being one of the most diverse youth programs in Lorain County. Earth Camp is a non-profit summer camp and all revenue generated goes towards operating expenses and providing more children with an Earth Camp experience. Approximately 70% of children attending camp are able to attend with financial assistance. It is Common Ground’s goal to provide a summer camp experience for children of ALL backgrounds and ALL walks of life.

Earth Camp has a strong environmental education component. We believe that by learning about our impact on the natural world, developing an appreciation of it and the interrelatedness of all beings, children will make more responsible decisions and live in the world more safely and gently. Our entire environmental education program is experiential, hands-on, and interactive, and intertwines components of other programs.