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by Peg L. Smith, Chief Executive Officer
Remember the first time you saw a star shining brightly in the sky?
Remember the first sunrise you witnessed in the early dawn? Remember
the first fire-fly you caught? Remember the first puddle you jumped
in after a hard rain? Remember the first time you met your best friend?
These are all memories you store in the most important "muscle" of
your body — the brain. Today, so many children may not have had
these opportunities before this summer when they go to camp. Maybe your
first experience of smelling the sweetness of the morning dew, while
listening to the birds chirp, happened at camp. This summer, counselors
across the country will be helping kids fill their "storage bins" with
these excellent memories that will last a lifetime. Don’t fail
to appreciate the importance of these memories.
A camp owner/director
said to me the other day that going to camp had
not been his "birth-right." I
felt this was a profound statement. This summer many campers will have
grown up knowing that they would go to camp one day. Many of those campers
may assume everyone has this same opportunity. Other campers may have
never even imagined going to camp before this summer. Many of those
campers will not realize there are potentially three more kids just
like them who will not be at camp. You are creating what I call "camp
DNA." You will facilitate opportunities to embed camp memories
deep in the recesses of the brain. These memories of the camp experience
will be drawn forth on the day that camper recognizes the importance
of preserving the natural world, the value of true friendships, and
the importance of an active, healthy lifestyle based on the lessons
learned at camp — a meaningful, engaged, and participatory learning
environment. This "camp DNA" helps children, youth, and
adults become strong leaders, who understand the significance of their
camp experiences and memories. Camp is not a birth-right; it is an important
rite of passage for positive child/ youth development.
Why is this rite
of passage so essential beyond the value provided
to those who will be lucky enough to have a camp experience this summer?
It is critical because every counselor and camper has the opportunity
to view themselves as a leader — an ambassador for all of those who did not have
a chance to go to camp this summer. This summer when you are singing
wonderful songs with the campers, remember those who are not with you.
When you are witnessing campers feel the reward of success when they
accomplish something new, remember those who are not able to go to camp
this summer. When you look out at the smiling faces and arms looped
from shoulder to shoulder, remember there are those who are not feeling
the profound impact of community — the camp community. Remind
every camper and counselor to use their voices when they go home to
advocate for those who have not had such opportunities. Each voice needs
to share the power of the experience with those who can make a difference
in the life of another young person by helping them go to camp next
summer. You are a generation of people who know how to mobilize and
empower millions of people. Use your power to ensure that no fewer than
20 million children and youth go to camp by the year 2020. I believe
in you.
Originally published in the 2009 July/August
issue of Camping Magazine.
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