My name is David Robinson. I spent five summers as a camper in Maine (2020–2024), served as a Counselor-in-Training in 2025, and will return as a Counselor in 2026.

Transitioning from camper to leader changed my perspective. I realized that while camp was shaping my character and my future, it remains out of reach for too many families. I started The Compass Project because I believe every child deserves the chance to go to summer camp.

Why Camp Matters

People often view summer camp as just "fun away from home." I view it as an essential developmental experience. Here is why:

• A Break from Modern Stress: Kids today face immense pressure from school, family issues and the digital world. Camp offers a place to disconnect from those worries and live independently within a supportive community.

• Social Confidence: Going to camp for the first time means walking into a room where you know no one and having to build friendships from scratch.

• Real Teamwork: Beyond traditional sports, camp teams bond through plays, songs and shared challenges. You learn how to lead, how to be a good teammate, and how to help other campers through challenges.

• The "Peer Effect": Campers are surrounded by college-aged counselors who serve as relatable role models. For kids coming from under-resourced communities, spending time with mentors pursuing higher education can inspire their own college dreams.

My Inspiration

My first summer at camp was 2020, during the height of the COVID pandemic. I was 11 years old. That experience gave me a sense of normalcy and growth when the world felt crazy. Camp changed my life.

I am sad to think that other kids are missing out on that same growth simply because of cost. The Compass Project is here to change that—leveling the playing field so more kids can have a summer that changes their life.