When we established Centauri Summer Arts Camp eighteen years ago, we had two clear goals in mind. The first seems obvious: we wanted to create a place where young people with arts interests could thrive by focusing on activities they love, and by nurturing their creativity. We wanted to bring together artistic youth with the creative professionals and teachers best able to guide and mentor them. But we also had a second goal in mind: to establish a residential camp that would be a community in every possible way. A space where each camper could grow and learn, supported by a caring, empathetic staff who are the very best role models any young person could wish for. Centauri is everything we dreamed of, eighteen years ago. Our campers have the time of their lives, spending their days exploring the arts and participating in festivals, evening programs, cultural banquets, arts events, concerts, traditional camp activities, leadership opportunities and more. In our view, carefully chosen and well trained staff are the key to everything. Our counsellors are all over the age of 18 and are selected for their maturity, dedication to community ideals, their ability to inspire and their eagerness to work with young people in an artistic environment. Most of our counsellors are known to us for years before they join us on staff. Our program directors are not only respected professionals, but they understand the needs of young people, and can build arts programs for them that are engaging, varied and creative. At Centauri, we bring together three opportunities in one space: our campers explore the arts, participate in residential camp, and find themselves valued and respectful members of a thriving community. Our camp parents tell us again and again that this combination can be life-changing: it builds confidence, team spirit and a sense of self worth. Our campers tell us Centauri is a place they can truly be themselves, making friends and memories that will stay with them forever.