Conquering Challenges: A Father-Son Journey at Camp Spartan

In a world where many children spend their summers in the comfort of local camps or Bible schools, one Greenfield family embarked on a unique adventure – a military-style boot camp for kids in Vermont. Devon Brown, a father of three, not only served as a counselor at Camp Spartan but also brought his two sons, Dominic and Gabriel, to participate in the rigorous challenges that the camp offered.

Pushing Boundaries, Discovering Resilience

Embracing the Spartan Mindset

Camp Spartan, designed for children ages 8-17, is a unique program that challenges participants to push their limits and reach their true potential. The camp's mission is to demonstrate that with hard work, determination, and true grit, any obstacle can be overcome. For Devon Brown and his wife, Allison, instilling these values in their children is a top priority, as they believe it will prepare them to face life's challenges head-on."We believe in doing tough things," Devon Brown said, emphasizing that his sons are involved in various sports locally. "The kids are always involved in something. We don't care what they get involved in as long as they're involved. We just don't believe a bunch of electronics and video games is more fun for kids given the choice to be outside and do stuff."

A Grueling, Yet Transformative Experience

The Camp Spartan experience is not for the faint of heart. As Brown admits, any child given the choice between a basketball camp, a church camp, or Camp Spartan would likely choose the latter last. The camp's daily routine is grueling, with a 5 a.m. wake-up call and a plunge into a 50-degree spring-fed stream before the day's activities begin.The children at Camp Spartan are challenged with a variety of activities, including mountain climbing, team-building exercises, and even military-style rations. They also spend time at Norwich University, a private military college, where they learn from cadets.Despite the demanding nature of the camp, Brown is proud of his sons for their participation. "As a dad, I'm very proud of my kids for going," he said. "As a counselor, it is an amazing thing. I get the reputation from the kids as one of the hard counselors, but it's amazing. They'll pull me aside, they'll share wins, and we'll see growth when they come back the next year."

Developing Grit and Perseverance

The lessons learned at Camp Spartan go beyond physical challenges. Both Dominic and Gabriel have experienced personal growth and the development of valuable habits. Gabriel shared that he has already noticed improvements in his ability to get up in the morning for school and get ready quickly, while Dominic attributed his strong performance in swimming and running to the grit he learned from the camp."I just learned to get through it and not quit and not stop," Dominic said, reflecting on the lessons he's taken away from his experiences at Camp Spartan.For the Brown family, the camp is not about instilling a military lifestyle, but rather about equipping their children with the tools to overcome any obstacle they may face in life. As Devon Brown, a personal trainer, explained, "As a dad and as a man, you always ask yourself, can I make it through the next big challenge? I look at opportunities like this to help with that answer."With the addition of their third son, Chase, the Brown family's involvement with Camp Spartan is likely to continue, as they seek to empower their children with the resilience and determination needed to thrive in the face of life's challenges.