Simple Meal at Friends Camp: A Long-Standing Tradition

At Friends Camp, we have a tradition called Simple Meal—an opportunity for campers to practice simplicity, leadership, and generosity.

In sessions with our older campers, staff members ask the entire community if they would like to have a simple meal once in the session. During the Simple Meal, campers forgo a typical lunch in favor of rice and beans—so much of our global community eats rice and beans for most meals. For some campers and staff, rice and beans is their favorite meal at camp. Yum!

By eating only rice and beans, there is a significant savings. A typical lunch to feed over 100 people is expensive! A committee of campers, assisted by a counselor, decides on an organization to which to donate the savings. We find that our tradition of Simple Meal helps us practice empathy—one of the most valuable things to practice in today’s world!

In 2017, campers contributed to Nothing But Nets, a global organization fighting Malaria; and Good Shepherd Food Bank, which helps feed hungry folks across Maine.