William Newman

I have been a part of Camp Bob for the QC since it was restarted after the pandemic. This was my second year as the Head of Boys Camp, and beyond the shadow of a doubt, this was our best year of camp. Being able to see the new and returning faces is one of my favorite parts of Camp Bob. There is something rewarding about being able to see and contribute to this camp's development into the best week of summer.

I have this unique privilege of being from the same place that a lot of campers are from, Charlotte, and specifically the east side of Charlotte. Charlotte is growing at this indescribable rate, and often it is these kids that are swept up in all of this change. I think that's what pulled me into Camp Bob four years ago. Rarely do the kids of Camp Bob actually get to take a step back from it all. They are able to properly be kids. It is hard to properly describe what it means to be able to give back to the community that helped to raise me. It feels deeply personal.

What inspires me the most about what we do here is the fact that for a lot of kids, this is their first time away from home. Camp Bob will always be that first time. That holds a tremendous amount of weight for our staff, and I am constantly impressed with their ability to live up to it. I remember my first time away from home, and it is a pleasure to be able to give similar memories to our campers. The small moments are those that will become a lifelong memory for a lot of the kids. As we continue to add to those numbers of children that we get to have an impact on, the need for a program like Camp Bob continues to grow.

One of the things about Camp Bob that can go forgotten is not just all of these new things that the children get to experience, but the skills that they get to learn at camp. I’m not just referring to being able to climb a real rock wall or cast out a fishing net, but the interpersonal skills that they are actually able to work on. I think you would be shocked about what 5 days of only having to focus on being a kid can do for them. Not having to focus on everything else that life might throw their way lets our campers really grow. They are able to solve disagreements, ask for help, and take responsibility. Our campers are able to focus on a brand new set of problems that camp brings, and with a great network of support, they can bring these skills home with them. They are able to practice a level of independence that they can bring to their families, schools, and communities.

As the half decade mark approaches us this next summer, I can only imagine how much more we will continue to grow and how many more kids we will impact. Camp Bob is young in many ways, which is really exciting. We have this opportunity to decide what camp is and what experiences we want campers to have. They will not remember the meals or every activity, but they will remember this chance to be themselves and try something new. I am incredibly proud to be a part of that.

-William Newman, 2026