Camping Magazine: 2009 March/April

by Peg L. Smith, Chief Executive Officer

What is camp? Isn't it
amazing that after nearly 150 years, so many of us struggle to describe/define
what the camp experience is? For some it is described best by the verb,
play. Yet, so many do not understand that "play" is how young
people learn important lessons that lead to maturity — not just
aimless, frivolous activities. Others might describe camp as a place to
practice. Practice skills, practice getting along with others, or practice
being an adult. Recreation is also a common descriptor for the camp experience.
Yet, many will translate recreation into "just having fun." We
often worry so much about describing the camp experience that we forget
to articulate the value of such an experience. It has been said that people
are moving from a consumer attitude to one of investment. If that is true,
we must be able to answer the following questions: How will the camp experience
raise the quality of my child's life? and "What value will
I receive from such an investment of time and money?"

Historically,
America has always understood that education is
the precursor to success. That is certainly true for America's future. Yet, the educational
needs of our future are changing. Whether you read The World is Flat by
Thomas L. Friedman, A Whole New Mind: Why Right Brainers Will Rule the
Future by Daniel Pink, or Tribes by Seth Godin, it is clear the next generation
will need critical competencies to excel. We must define how the camp
experience adds value to the acquisition of those competencies.

The camp
experience is a powerful learning laboratory that
not only builds character, but offers a progressive learning environment.
Why not describe it as such when we talk to others? Our camp communities
provide experiences that facilitate curiosity — inviting, welcoming, and encouraging
young people to ask the hard questions, solve problems, and participate
in and lead conversations. The camp community understands that the opportunity
to discover how to "think" and "act" with purpose
is liberating. While liberating, it is also challenging — which
is what must occur if learning is to take place. The camp experience is
not passive. The camp community provides young people the chance to participate
in meaningful, engaged learning.

Our camp communities are also empathetic
environments. Campers are not burdened by pretense,
which clears the path for authentic relationships. Once authenticity
is experienced, campers are able to set aside unnecessary defenses and
start to learn about others. I believe that is why anyone who has visited
a camp has been struck by the power of such joyful, playful, loud, and
boisterous songs that can be heard being sung throughout the camp .
. . sometimes organized and sometimes spontaneous. To fill one's lungs with air and belt out
a silly, nonsensical song is cleansing to the spirit.

Our camp communities
are designed to be safe communities. Not a single
parent will tell you that safety is not their paramount concern. No,
they don't equate
safety with accreditation, but they want the intended outcome of accreditation.
Let's describe it as it is understood by parents — safety.
This is why the Healthy Camp Study sponsored by Markel Insurance Company
is so important. The study provides us with empirical evidence upon which
we can learn and improve. Again, the camp community has something to offer
that every parent wants — a safe community for their children to
learn and grow.

What is camp? Maybe, we must realize that what "it" is
does not really matter to people. Maybe, we need
to focus on the value of the camp experience and
what it gives to those who have an opportunity to go to camp. When I
look to the future, I see millions of young faces of all colors filling
up their lungs with air and belting out joyful songs, sharing a sense
of community regardless of differences.

Originally published in the 2009 March/April
issue of Camping Magazine.