Background

At Camp Tuttle, we celebrate and encourage diversity in all forms while honoring our roots as an Episcopalian ministry. While we have always been vocal and understood as a place of belonging for folks from various faith backgrounds, we acknowledge that we have room to grow so that our mission is truly accessible to all.

For over sixty years at our beautiful forested location in Big Cottonwood Canyon, Camp Tuttle has housed campers primarily in two cabin clusters split by the gender binary. These cabin clusters have been known as: the Girls’ Cabins comprising St. Catherine, St. Elizabeth, St. Margaret, and St. Martha AND the Boys’ Cabins comprising St. Alban, St. Columba, St. Francis, and St. Vincent

While this strictly binary housing arrangement has generally been satisfactory, it is no longer an adequate model, nor does it reflect or support the diversity of the camper population we serve. Understanding that a non-trivial percentage of Camp Tuttle campers identify as nonbinary or genderfluid, it is our priority to create a space where all campers and staff are safe, supported, and able to fully engage in Camp offerings. We recognize that offering an all gender housing option, is only the first step to addressing the impact of the gender binary at Camp.

As a result we are hosting a Cabin Naming Survey to intentionally bridge our gratitude for the glorious diversity of Creation (and in our community) while honoring our legacy as an Episcopalian Ministry. Our staff chose geographically specific names for the traditional cabin clusters, and we need your help to decide which wonders of Utah’s natural landscape should be honored as Camp Tuttle cabins. 

Meet the Candidates

Grandeur Peak is an 8299-foot summit on the east side of Salt Lake Valley. Grandeur Peak is the western-most peak on the ridge separating Parleys Canyon on the north and Mill Creek Canyon on the south. Pronounced "grand-er", the word "Grandeur" comes from an old French word grand meaning 'great' and is used to describe things that are distinguished, extraordinary, and impressive in scope. This local peak is a great day-hike for beginners featuring fantastic views of the Salt Lake Valley.

At 9998ft, Jupiter Peak is just shy of the Wasatch 10k Club, but is known far and wide for its wide gulleys that become a winter wonderland of swift chutes under a fresh pack of snow. While many know Jupiter Peak (sometimes called Jupiter Hill) as the tallest point at Park City Mountain, this peak is much closer to Tuttle than one might imagine, only 5 miles by foot! Campers coming from Heber and Park City routinely pass by Jupiter Peak as they take Guardsman Pass on their way to Camp. Named after the largest planet in the solar system, "Jupiter" was also a Roman god of weather and is associated with themes of growth, expansion, healing, prosperity, good fortune, and miracles in astrology.

The Pfeifferhorn is the 11,331 foot triangularly-shaped peak located in the most isolated part of the Lone Peak Wilderness Area of the Wasatch Mountains in northern Utah, United States. This rugged Utah mountain, commonly referred to as the Little Matterhorn, is the fifth-highest peak in the Wasatch Range. The Pfeifferhorn is recorded as "Little Matterhorn" on USGS maps because of its similarity in shape to the mountain in the European Alps. The mountain is known as the Pfeifferhorn, in honor of Chuck Pfeiffer, an iconic Utah-based climber and the leader of the Wasatch Club. Very few peaks in the Wasatch can offer a better view than Pfeifferhorn, but it's rocky shale incline is no joke! Many report seeing mountain goats climbing the rocky shale ridges - perfect for any explorer willing to find "out of the box" fun.

Mount Nebo is the southernmost and highest mountain in the Wasatch Range of Utah. At 11,933ft tall, Nebo is considered an "ultra", one of 128 ultra-prominent peaks in the United States having more than 1,500 metres (4,900 ft) of topographic prominence. It is also the highest point in Utah County! This peak is named after the biblical Mount Nebo that overlooks Israel from the east of the Jordan river, and is said to be the place of Moses' death. The word "Nebo" comes from Hebrew - Nebo, or Nabu, was the Babylonian deity of wisdom and writing. His function and appearance seems to suggest some similarities to the later Roman god Mercury. Many associate the word "Nebo" with strong speaking skills, leadership, and establishing authority.

Known for its resilience, Engelmann Spruces are found in some of the highest and coldest forest environments in the western United States. The Engelmann is a large tree, averaging 30 inches in diameter and 90 feet in height that grows very slowly, taking about 150 years to reach its "adult size" but is able to live over 400 years. Engelmann spruces are critical sources of food and protection for local wildlife; its seeds are eaten by several species of small mammals and birds and its long, drooping branches provide excellent hiding and thermal cover for deer, elk, moose, bighorn sheep, and bear. Engelmann spruce has been and continues to be an important lumber source in Utah. Indigenous people of this area peeled the Engelmann's bark into sheets to craft canoes, baskets, and roofing. The fibrous roots of the tree were used to make rope, and the boughs and needles to make incense, body scents, and cleansing agents. Various teas and poultices were made from Engelmann spruce for medicinal purposes. Some reports even document specialty items such as violins, pianos, and aircraft parts produced from Engelmann spruce. A true "jack of all trades", the Engelmann spruce is truly one of Utah's most versatile natural wonders.

Perhaps one of the most recognizable trees in Utah, the Aspen (latin name Populus tremuloides) is a thin tall tree with ivory bark with scattered black markings. Its smooth spade-shaped leaves are sometimes referred to as "quaking" or "waving" with the wind, these leaves turn a brilliant yellow in the fall. It is most common at elevations between 6,000 and 10,000 feet. Aspen is also the state tree of Utah. In fact, possibly the largest living organism on earth is a 100- acre clonal (genetically identical) stand of quaking aspens called “Pando”, near Fish Lake, Utah. Pando has gained fame as a tourist destination and as a symbol of sustainability and interconnectedness. Naturally, aspens grow on moist uplands, dry mountainsides, high plateaus, mesas, avalanche chutes, talus, parklands, gentle slopes near valley bottoms, and along watercourses, according to Utah State University Extension’s webpage on the quaking aspen.

Known by many as "that lake with the funny name", Lake Lackawaxen has been a hidden gem for Wasatch Mountain adventurers. One of few lakes that isn't a watershed for human use, Lackawaxen has been a summer swimming destination for Camp Tuttle high schoolers for many years. A hike up to Lake Lackawaxen is perfect for anyone who needs to beat the heat and escape the crowds. This stunning alpine lake is less popular than its neighboring Bloods Lake, but trust us, hiking the steep final mile is worth the destination. Once you past the wildflower patch, you're almost there! Embrace solitude at Lackawaxen.

The buoyant, flutelike melody of the Western Meadowlark ringing out across a field can brighten anyone’s day. Meadowlarks are often more easily heard than seen, unless you spot a male singing from a fence post. This colorful member of the blackbird family flashes a vibrant yellow breast crossed by a distinctive, black, V-shaped band. Look and listen for these stout ground feeders in grasslands, meadows, pastures, and along marsh edges throughout the West and Midwest, where flocks strut and feed on seeds and insects.

Pinus ponderosa, commonly known as the ponderosa pine, bull pine, blackjack pine, western yellow-pine, or filipinus pine is a very large pine tree species of variable habitat native to mountainous regions of western North America. It is the most widely distributed pine species in North America.  Utah is home to two of the five Ponderosa pine subspecies, the southwestern ponderosa pine by the four corners region and the Rocky Mountains ponderosa pine in the high Uintas. Ponderosas are not only abundant, but aromatic! Many people report noticing a "sweet" smell around these trees. Additionally, once they mature into their adult size Ponderosa's have a secret superpower hidden in their bark. Thick and difficult to penetrate, the Ponderosa's bark helps protect the tree from fire and makes it nearly impenetrable to loose flames.

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