This summer, our oldest learners took part in PhotoVoice, a storytelling project that invited them to capture the places at Caldera that hold the most meaning for them.

Through their photos and reflections, youth shared powerful insights into how Caldera shapes their creativity, courage, and sense of belonging. This project offered a deeper look at the moments and spaces that help them grow.

What emerged were stories filled with connection, exploration, and personal transformation. These images and voices illuminate the impact of Caldera through the eyes of the young people who know it best. Below are their stories.

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‍Story One: I wanted a picture of the stars (but took a picture of the lake for now) because I had a really, really nice day and I was worn out by the time campfire was over and I looked up at the stars and I felt this sense of relief, and freedom; I felt like, this is the place for me. I mean, it was beautiful already but I was a little bit homesick and I was just being reminded of my mom and my sister a lot and then I looked up and I was like dang, I don’t actually want to go home, it was just a beautiful thing to see. The stars really resonate with me and they give me this sense of hope and this sense of this is where you belong, anywhere I see them.

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Story Two: The reason I decided to pick the burnt forest is because during my first year at Caldera it was the first place I went out of my way to take photos other than 'here's our prompt, do that.' There was a staff member who really helped me with that out there.

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Story Three: When I first got to Caldera the first thing I saw was the summer kitchen and that just really stuck with me. So now everytime I come here and I see the summer kitchen I know I'm finally here - and I think I definitely met a lot of my close camp friends there.

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Story Four: The reason I chose the lake is because it reminds me of all the memories that I made with my friends because I spend most of my time during free time at the lake - that's my little spot.

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Story Five: I chose this spot next to the summer kitchen because on my first day at camp I didn't really feel like at home yet and I missed home and I felt weird here and I came up to another camper and I was just like I don't know what to do, I couldn't sleep all night-- and they pulled me over here and gave me a hug and was just like trust this, you're going to make a bunch of friends.

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Story Six: I picked the summer kitchen because it's where we do all our meals and where it gets the most hype

The surveys from the summer program show that 100% of our graduating youth felt supported by our staff, felt connected to other Caldera youth, and felt they had the confidence to step outside their comfort zone to try new things.

Our programs support youth in building strong communities, creative expression and confidence, and we see this reflected in how youth tell their own stories.

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