A new summer camp providing girls ages 9-15 with a special opportunity to learn about nature ended July 28. Hearty Roots, a nonprofit, hosted up to 60 girls at three Lincoln County locations this summer over three week-long sessions. The camp’s purpose is to grow young girls’ self-esteem and self-awareness by exposing them to the wilderness.

Edgecomb Eddy School guidance counselor Haley Bezon created Hearty Roots.

Session three took place at Hidden Valley Nature Center in Jefferson from July 24 to 28.  Campers were immersed in programming that inspires outdoor adventures such as camping, riding fat tire bikes, and stand up paddle boarding. Bezon described the experience as “girls gaining mindfulness skills through breathing techniques, journaling, and social-emotional skills groups.

Bezon reported camper Emily Gosselin described her Hearty Roots experience to her as a rewarding one. “Since coming to Hearty Roots, she feels more confident, and brave after trying new things out of her comfort zone, and getting to know herself better.”