Welcome to the Growing Place,

It is with gratitude and excitement that I introduce myself as the Executive Director of Growing Place.

Stepping into this role, following in the footsteps of two leaders in the past 40 years, is both an honor and a meaningful responsibility.

Whether you are a current family, a member of our alumni community, or a family beginning to explore Growing Place for your child, I want to warmly welcome you. Growing Place is a community that is truly special, one built on decades of thoughtful work, strong relationships, and shared belief in the incredible potential of young children.

Our mission at Growing Place is clear and deeply felt. We help children develop into confident, compassionate, and creative problem solvers. This mission guides everything we do, from the way we design our learning environments to how we partner with families and support educators. At the heart of our philosophy is a belief in community where we unify children, parents, and teachers to learn together.

Our infant, toddler, and preschool programs are rooted in social constructivist theory and inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach. We view children as capable, curious, and full of ideas. We believe learning emerges through play, inquiry, and collaboration. This approach comes to life through the expertise and dedication of our teachers, who are not only skilled practitioners, but reflective researchers and co-researchers with children. With deep knowledge of early childhood development, our educators intentionally create environments and experiences that honor each child's voice, perspective, and way of making meaning in the world.

What sets Growing Place apart is not only the quality of our program, but the spirit of connection that lives here. Families are not just welcome, they are essential in the community of learners. Educators are not just teachers, they are co-learners and co-constructors of knowledge. Children are not just students, they are full participants in a thriving and caring community. This way of working together has shaped generations of children and families, and continues to evolve in meaningful ways.

As I step into this role, I do so with tremendous respect for the legacy of Growing Place and the visionary leaders, educators, and families who have shaped its path.

Whether you are discovering Growing Place for the first time or have been part of this community for years, I invite you to join me in continuing the journey. Our work in supporting children as they grow into confident, compassionate, and creative problem solvers could not be more important.

If you have any questions or would like to learn more about Growing Place, please do not hesitate to reach out to our camp directors!