Learn about our connection to
Unitarian Universalism

Unirondack was established by the New York State Convention of Universalists in 1951. Originally envisioned as a retreat location for ministers and religious educators, it was only a few years before the first summer camp sessions were held. It wasn’t long before the popularity of the summer youth camp sessions grew and Unirondack as a summer camp was born as a place for Universalist youth to gather.

In 1961 the merger of Universalism and Unitarians created the original six principles which were revised in 1985, again in 1997 to become the seven principles. And an eighth principle, highlighting racial justice work, was added in 2021.

Throughout Unirondack’s history, the work we do has been informed and influenced by the principles of UUism. Many of our camp leaders have been Unitarian Universalists and the buildings on camp our youth sessions bear the names of prominent UUs.

While we strive to merge our existing work with the UU principles, we have found our work most poignantly focusing on acceptance, justice, equity, compassion, and valuing the inherent worth and dignity of all people. These are things that build an inclusive and intentional community that serves our youth. And to these we add youth empowerment and political awareness as core values that guide us.

Beyond the principles, Unirondack’s work and community members are not exclusively Unitarian Universalist. We do host optional UU services occasionally throughout each summer, and many of our campers are UU. However, our program does not generally include explicit UU education, nor is it tailored to a primarily UU audience. We have found that many non-UU people resonate deeply with the community we’ve created over the years, and we recognize that some UU organizations are actually misaligned with our work, creating environments that are not as welcoming or as founded in their commitments to social justice and equity as we hold ourselves to be.

The bottom line is that Unirondack today is for everyone who wants to be a part of a community that centers social justice, youth empowerment, and compassionate community participation.

We look to use the eight principles of Unitarian Universalism as principles we believe in, and as a starting block for more:

We deeply value the possibilities and fun that can be created when you build a youth-centered space. We achieve our ultimate goal of fun by working to remove the barriers to acceptance and self-love the world puts on us. And the results are beautiful.

We are a Unitarian Universalist summer camp. And we are so much more. We uphold values of queerness, youth empowerment, political awareness and social justice, and a commitment to grow and change with our community.

The inherent worth and dignity of every person;

Justice, equity and compassion in human relations;

Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;

A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;

The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large;

The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;

Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.

We covenant to affirm and promote: journeying toward spiritual wholeness by working to build a diverse multicultural Beloved Community by our actions that accountably dismantle racism and other oppressions in ourselves and our institutions.*

*It should be noted that the 8th principle is one that is individually voted on by each UU congregation.