Our Mission
Our mission is to remove financial barriers so that more New York City area preteens and teens can access unique opportunities to engage in personal growth and build meaningful relationships while connecting with the earth and our food systems.
Our History
Steve Kessner grew up in a working-class family in the Bronx and spent his summers in the Catskills. This experience made him realize how beneficial access to nature is to the personal development of kids growing up in the city. So he founded Steve’s Camp in 2010 to provide a similar experience to preteens and teens from economically excluded communities.
Timeline
2007
Steve Kessner acquires the 100-acre Horizon Farms property with the intention of founding a camp.
2008
Steve’s Camp is officially registered as a nonprofit.
2011
Campers attend the first-ever session of Steve’s Camp.
2021
Camp hires two full-time staff members—a camp director and COO—to develop its fundraising and programmatic capacity.
Horizon Farms
In 2007, Steve Kessner purchased the 100-acre Horizon Farms property, a small commercial farm located on the traditional territory of the Lenape people. The farming roots of the property continue to influence the Camp's programming today. Campers and staff learn first-hand about food systems and farming on our campus that features a large teaching kitchen.
“It’s an amazing feeling to come off the streets of the city and then come to a place like this and be free.”
Our Sponsors
Our corporate partners and sponsors share our passion for nature and commitment to adolescents’ social-emotional learning. They help make the work and impact of the Camp possible.
