The camp experience enriches lives and changes the world.
Camp provides children with a community of caring adults, who nurture experiential
education that results in self-respect and appreciation for human value.
All of the outcomes — self-identity, self-worth, self-esteem, leadership,
and self-respect — build personal competencies. These personal competencies
are reflected in the four "C's" of the camp community: compassion,
contribution, commitment, and character! For years, campers' parents have
reported that when their children return home from camp they are more caring,
understand the importance of giving, are more equipped to stand up for what
they know is right, and are willing to be more responsible. These are the
qualities that will help build a successful nation and a civil society.
Children are at less risk at camp where they have a sense of community,
develop intergenerational relationships, and learn through first-hand experiences.
Trained, caring adult role models help children feel loved, capable, and
included. Camp helps children grow by providing a supervised, positive environment
that has safety as a primary commitment.
Camp professionals have enormous power in conveying simple teachable moments
. . . special moments of passing experiences touched by the human spirit.
These fleeting moments of time build three significant ACA values that are
reflected in the benefits campers derive from camp.
ACA values people. The moments that result in the camp experience repeatedly
express the value of people. We demonstrate that value through respect,
honesty, caring, and sharing. Through the camp experience, young people
learn to understand the strength of mankind. They also develop an appreciation
for the qualities required to protect the fragile relationships needed to
protect these relationships.
ACA values the natural world. We seek and appreciate what is real, genuine,
and nonartificial. In seeking those qualities in people as well as in the
actual world, we foster understanding of the importance of human connections
for survival and of the critical connections to our physical world. Campers
realize the need to protect not only one another, but also the environment
in which they live. Our intent is to preserve and share that legacy with
the next generation.
Finally, ACA values a sense of contribution. Our contributions are both
obvious and subtle. The benefits of our work are both immediate and slow
to emerge. Most significantly, although the experience itself is often fleeting,
our impact on the human spirit lasts a lifetime. Children who attend camp
develop connections with the world.
We never underestimate the simplest lesson or the briefest wink of time.
It may be a star in someone's horizon for all eternity.
Benefits and Anticipated Outcomes of the Camp Experience
Social Skills Development
- Leadership
- Communication
- Participation
Self-Respect and Character Building
- Responsibility
- Resourcefulness
- Resilience
Community Living/Service Skills
- Caring
- Fairness
- Citizenship
- Trustworthiness
Originally published in the ACA Media Center. |
