Our Mission

We provide sustainable, responsible, high-quality educational enrichment, teaching independence, care, and life-long learning so individuals can understand themselves and their place in their community and the world. The foundation of our care is a lifelong skill-set, based on the pillars of Knowledge, Nature, and Wellness. 

At Island Roots, we seek, gather, and share knowledge. Appreciate and preserve nature. 

Prioritize wellness for self, community, and world. We aim to build and maintain strong relationships with our families even beyond their involvement in our programs, to embed sustainable practices in all elements of our business and programs, and to provide a positive, enjoyable, and supportive culture for our stakeholders.

“There’ll be new challenges that I’m afraid to handle; Be my friend as I walk along.” 

                                                                              - Peter Sawin (aka: Ranger Pete) 1937-2002*

Founded in 2020, Island Roots Camp Group (Island Roots) began as an idea to provide valuable support for families and youth-serving programs as they plan for school and program reopening after COVID19-related closures. While working in the childcare industry from home under state-wide quarantine, co-founders Jessie and Thomas, became keenly aware of the obstacles facing communities and the very real reasons why many summer programs chose not to operate.

Their love of learning, recreation, and the outdoors is rooted on an island off the Massachusetts coast, where they grew as campers and then staff, each separately attaining leadership positions at various camps and school-year programs across the country. 

Prior to opening their first program, Jessie and Thomas reached out to their friend and former colleague, Alex, and asked him to join them on their Island Roots adventure. With a strong background in camp, outdoor recreation, early education, and after school programming, Alex was a natural fit to complete the IRCG leadership team.

As a need for high quality childcare options rapidly increased during the fall of 2020, Jessie, Thomas, and Alex dedicated themselves to preparing a daytime learning support program which would leverage the full range of their expertise. Now, Island Roots is here to help families, as well as new and established camps, schools, and youth programs. 

                                                                           *Lyrics used with permission of Kim Sawin Staples

                                                                                 - Peter Sawin (aka: Ranger Pete) 1937-2002

                                                                                  Used with permission from Kim Sawin Staples