3 minute read
The Opportunity of Camp
What does the opportunity of camp mean?
Let’s highlight three areas.
BY DOUG SUTHERLAND
Activities
The goal of camp is to keep kids active and engaged: either physically, mentally or both. Camps offer activities such as arts and crafts, horseback riding, hiking, dance, robotics or sports. There are camps that focus on a specific interest or skill; others offer a general selection of activities. Some camps are affiliated with religious or nonprofit organizations, or emphasize different lifestyle choices. Finding a camp that offers the right mix of activities is important, but not the only marker of a great experience.
As an example, say your child wants to go to a camp that offers wakeboarding. It rains every day during the first week of this two-week camp. Did your child wakeboard enough? It’s not the camp’s fault that it rained ... and hopefully, other activities were offered that sparked your child’s interest. Sometimes camp provides a setting for new skills — what a fantastic opportunity!
Personal Growth
This is definitely hard to guarantee, but the opportunity is there. The idea of learning to live with other personalities, sounds, smells and levels of cleanliness can be tough.
There are so many options for building confidence, whether it’s reaching the top of the climbing tower or enduring two weeks without a cellphone. Facing challenges is difficult, but camp can foster independence and allow children to grow and develop.
Making Friends
This is a tough one, too. The opportunity to make friends exists at every camp. Friendships are organic, whether it is summer-long or lifelong. Camp provides a common experience. My daughter says that she has friends and camp friends. Those camp friendships can be intense for the week, two weeks or even eight weeks of camp. Social connections are an important part of the camp experience.
Camp gives kids a world of opportunities in a safe, supportive environment. Parents should be excited by their child having the opportunity to do fun activities, challenge themselves and find someone they can connect with at camp. Campers can embrace the opportunity to explore and perhaps even discover their true selves.
Doug Sutherland is a diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) advocate, consultant and workshop facilitator who has been a part of the summer camp field for more than 20 years. Doug has served in a variety of roles, from group facilitation and high-ropes course instruction to administrative positions directing and running camps throughout New England. Doug Sutherland Consulting provides DEIB training, keynotes and group-dynamic facilitation programs.
