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A Quest for More Than the Arts There’s more to summer camp than the "tangibles" children bring home, new sports equipment, artwork, macaroni necklaces and suncatchers. Have you ever thought about the other benefits, the "intangible" rewards, living with nature, socializing with peers or taking responsibility for one’s self? At summer camp, children experience and develop life’s fundamentals in a safe, protective, well-structured environment. Walking the trail, foraging on nature hunts or singing by the campfire, they learn valuable skills like teamwork, leadership and the positive side of competition, while acquiring friends and self-esteem. The friendships, confidence and accomplishments children achieve while living in camp surroundings are all unique. Why? Because they occur outside the shadow of you, the watchful parent. In camps designed for success, your child can thrive away from the family and then return home strengthened by all she has learned. A Dose of Confidence Increased confidence is the number one benefit that parents cite for sending their children to camp, according to a 1998 survey conducted by the American Camping Association’s camp directors. This confidence emerges as children live on their own, away from mom and dad, and enhances a child’s ability to handle peers on the same level and encourages others to depend upon the child physically, socially and intellectually. Unlike many schools, camp also encourages children to take the initiative. "Camps help young people discover and explore their talents, interests and values. Most schools don’t satisfy all these needs. Kids who have had these kinds of [camp] experiences end up being healthier and have fewer problems," says Dr. Peter Scales, senior fellow with the Search Institute, Minneapolis. Today’s World In today’s society, the typical family, work place, school environment and tight-knit community have changed dramatically. We can no longer assume that the natural growing-up process will provide children with the experiences and resources they need to become mature adults. More than ever, children need to gain resiliency skills, including self-esteem, self-reliance and social awareness, as they move into adulthood. Kids also need a place to build future childhood memories, rich with adventures, friendships, achievements, understanding, leadership and, best of all, fun. Why is it easier for camp to accomplish in such a short time what we, as parents, cannot master? In a camp setting, children have the TEAMWORK The importance of working together and reaching the same goal is emphasized through teamwork at camp, where everyone participates and accepts the limitations and talents of peers. The children learn how to succeed by combining their skills with those of others. The competition focuses on the team and not the individual. Children gain the invaluable understanding that others may think differently but still have good ideas. SELF-ESTEEM The main goal or mission of a camp program is to boost a child’s self-esteem. How is this accomplished? Counselors and fellow campers offer praise for a job well done, strengthening a child’s faith in her own choices and belief systems. The stress placed on adult responsibilities, cleanliness, arriving on time for meals or caring for belongings, builds a child’s sense of competence, therefore boosting self-esteem. Also, children have a chance to earn camp recognition for positive attitudes, citizenship and organization, all lifelong lessons. Many child-related professionals acknowledge that self-esteem is more the outcome of achievement than the cause of it. "When a child performs an activity successfully that they did not think was possible," Jen McCormick, American Camping Association Manager, states, "they get a boost in self-esteem, which can result in a genuine confidence in one’s abilities and independence." COOPERATION When interacting with the camping staff and other campers, children learn to compromise and collaborate. By sharing counselor’s attention, respecting the property of others and the wilderness, and obeying the rules outlined, kids gain necessary cooperation skills. CONNECTING Camp is a special time to turn off televisions, video games and portable compact disc players and turn to the world of friendship, laughter and nature. Kids talk face to face, not through cyberspace or across the telephone lines. The appointment-loaded calendar is replaced with the freedom to explore, cultivate and really connect with people. Sometimes camp also fulfills a need to bond with similar individuals with no strings attached. Such is the case with Courtney and Kristen Bergstein. The 12-year-old twins attended a camp designed for asthmatics. "We were able to talk, discuss and complain about the problems we have," Kristen says. "And," Courtney adds, "the other girls understood what we meant." Camp became a place for them to connect with others who shared similar health problems, providing them with unique comradeship. FRIENDSHIP Friendships, developed and encouraged through letters even after camp has long passed, can offer a glimpse into an unknown lifestyle and culture. One camper, Deanna Rulnick, has corresponded regularly with a former camper named Elizabeth. Elizabeth spent six months in the United States and the other six in England. The curious 12-year-old Deanna plied her camp buddy with loads of questions and learned all about a different culture in the process. LEADERSHIP Leadership qualities and skills are part of the camping program for Boy Scouts of America. The basic patrol method (working together as one unit) is used. Scouts elect a leader, and the leader is in charge of the group. All activities are accomplished as a patrol. The boys cook together, work together, participate together. Leadership and teamwork go hand-in-hand. COMPETITION Competition doesn’t always have to have a winner and a loser according to Jeff McKee, Camping Director of Greater Pittsburgh Council’s Boy Scouts of America. "We have patrol competitions. The scouts must learn the skills to meet the standards of the competition. Everyone can be a winner." What exactly does he mean? "Starting a fire could be a patrol competition. The scouts must build a fire within a specified amount of time to win," Jeff explains. "Everyone could be a winner as long as they learned the skills needed for the competition." MEMORIES "Camp is one little word that conjures up a thousand memories," says Lynn Caffrey, Outdoor Program Director, Greater Pittsburgh Girl Scouts of America. And those memories last... "I remember when I was 10, I went to horseback riding camp and never rode a horse," 17-year-old Deanna Rulnick recalls. "We had heavy rains and the camp was flooded. We had to carry our gear for two miles to the main road where a school bus transported us to a nearby school. We spent two days in the gym with the Red Cross and a fast-food restaurant to feed us. It was great." Character building? Definitely. Memories such as this one last a lifetime for the campers, adventure, experience and life skills all rolled into one trip. Now that you’re convinced of the benefits of summer camp, where do you go from here? THE FIRST STEP With more than 8,500 camps in the United States, the spectrum of choices could overwhelm any parent. Before you begin eliminating various camps, talk to your child. Ask him what activities he would like to do at camp. Would he benefit from a structured program or one with a relaxed atmosphere? Make a list of his strengths, weaknesses, goals and dreams. Make another of the things he doesn’t like or wouldn’t do. All this should be taken into consideration before looking at specific programs. BEFORE MAKING A DECISION When seeking a particular program or narrowing your choices, here’s a list of questions to ask: 1. Does the camp have a mission statement? 2. How long has it been in existence? 3. What is the education, career and certification background of the director? 4. How experienced and what age are the counselors? 5. What is the ratio of counselors to campers? 6. Does the camp philosophy match yours? Is the atmosphere geared toward socialization and recreation or competition? 7. What are the safety and medical accommodations? 8. How does the camp handle homesickness? 9. Does it offer an open house for you and your child to attend? 10. Is the camp recommended for first-timers? 11. Are special diets considered? 12. Do the campers have free time? How much free time do they have? THE ENVIRONMENT The living quarters, dining hall, swimming pools, showers and vehicles should be clean, safe and age-appropriate. THE DIRECTOR The director should have at least a bachelor’s degree, completed in-service training and have 16 weeks or more of camp administrative experience. COUNSELORS The majority of counselors should be 18 years of age or older and have had some experience with children. Counselors should be trained in first aid and in specific activities in the program (i.e. swimming, horseback riding, etc.). A nurse should be a member of the staff. THE CAMP RATIO The ratio should be a minimum of one staff member for every six campers under eight years old, one staff person per eight campers ages 9 to 14, and one staff for every 10 campers ages 15 to 18. AN OPEN HOUSE Open House is offered at some camps to prospective campers. This allows parents and children to get a feel for the program, director and counselors. Also, this sneak preview eliminates your child’s imagination creating horror stories if he is a first-timer. ONCE YOU CHOOSE THE CAMP . . . Remember, summer camping is about your child’s expectations, not yours. Since going away for the first time is easier with a friend, try the buddy system. Have the child help you pack his belongings. This eliminates the disappointment of arriving without a favorite shirt, shorts or shoes. Register early to receive a possible early-bird discount. This also avoids disappointing your child if the sessions fill up quickly. IS IT WORTH THE MONEY? The big question is, "Can you put a dollar amount on memories, friendships, confidence or self-esteem?" If your answer is no, then the price is worth it, as long as the program fits your child’s personality and needs. No matter what the price of the camp is, if it isn’t suited to your child, it’s not worth it. Summer camps remain affordable for almost everyone. Most fees range from $15 to $100 per day, depending upon the activities and facilities offered. Many programs and child-related organizations offer scholarships and discounts for those seeking financial assistance. AFTERTHOUGHTS Fond memories, personal accomplishments, self-esteem and self-reliance are only a few aspects of the character development children are able to expand through their camping experiences. Remember, this is their time to be kids—climb a mountain, sing a campfire song and make new friends without the interference of such distractions as televisions, compact disc players, video games, telephones and cyberspace. When you see the smile on your child’s face as they recall accomplishing a unique skill, receive a letter from that new camp friend or relive those special moments which can only occur in the safe, structured, productive environment of summer camp, then you’ll know camp was worth it. v |
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