What is the secret to creating an environment from which your child will come home with the connections and memories that last a lifetime? Since the early 1900s, summer camps have offered something that we cannot provide our kids at home: a stress-free environment where kids can be kids. Campers learn and grow as people with the help of bunkmates who get to know them in ways deeper than anyone else in life (even their own parents).
Only at summer camp do we see athletes who muster the courage to be on stage for the first time in a camp production and conversely the artist who has the confidence to get on the soccer field and play against a rival camp. Camp is a place where is it okay not to be the best, where just trying your hardest is the name of the game. Campers know that at summer camp, success is based on their attitude rather than their aptitude. It is this free spirited approach that allows each child to let down his guard, develop lifelong friendships and grow as a person.
Furthermore, today’s camps offer something that camps of the past could not: the ability to stay connected throughout the year. Whether it is a camp reunion or bunk birthday party, a text message or a video iChat, the camp relationship extends way beyond the days that are spent together at camp.
It is the intensity of these relationships that often lead to friendships that last forever. There are countless stories of college roommates that were bunkmates at summer camp and husbands and wives that met at camp. Four of my five groomsmen were friends from summer camp. There is nothing that brightens my day more than an email from a camp friend reliving those crazy days at camp when I was 15 years old.
At a recent reunion of campers, the following thoughts were echoed by nearly all attending alumni: “The characteristics that are me, all the friendships, loyalty, integrity and patience, all came about because of my summers spent here.” “A very big part of who I am was gathered at camp.” “A lot of people say that camp has changed their lives, for me it has made my life where it is today, my friends, my wife all came about because of the time spent here.”
More so than ever before, camps are recognizing the overall value that this experience plays in a child’s life. No longer are camp programs simply centered around playing sports, swimming, and creating projects in arts and crafts. Today’s camp is much more sophisticated with programs that look to instill confidence in their campers. Additionally, camps have recognized the importance of helping campers to make the connections prior to the start of camp. Directors make home visits in order to meet new campers and offer suggestions on potential bunkmates. Winter and Spring events for new campers are now integral parts of the camp year. A great deal of time and effort is spent to provide the camper with the correct bunk choice, a crucial aspect of their experience.
Camp is a magical place where many of wish we could spend our entire lives. Some say it is not the real world, but for those of us that have been fortunate to attend summer camp, it is the place where we learned about the world and how to better live in it. Providing children with the opportunity to attend camp is a gift that every child will take with them for the rest of his life.
Marc Honigfeld, camp owner of both Trails End Camp (www.trailsendcamp.com) and his new session camp, Chestnut Lake Camp (www.chestnutlakecamp.com), has over 25 years experience in advising parents and campers. A lifelong camper, Marc has significant understanding of the camp scene, along with thousands of camper success stories.
