Change is a part of life. It is often directly related to survival
and can enrich one's life in ways unexpected. Childhood
is in essence a time of profound change and development. It
is exciting and disquieting at the same time. When it comes
to our children, we need to be sure that change is made for the
better.
We've been so concentrated on the brain, we forget about
the rest of our bodies. This change in focus has lead to an obesity
rate that is unacceptable. Our kids are not as healthy as the
generation before.
Families used to live in a community. We've lost that,
keeping kids inside and losing a sense of neighborhood.
Add to that the fact that our kids stand to inherit all the
economic, social, and environmental challenges we've created,
and the legacy we have left our children and youth begins to
look bleak.
So, how do we prepare our children with the skills and more
importantly, the competencies they will need to tackle changes
in our world? We could start with a positive camp experience.
A quality camp experience provides our children with the opportunity
to learn powerful lessons in community, character-building, skill
development, and healthy living — a meaningful, engaged,
and participatory environment.
Camp promotes community. It creates this great space that shows
kids how to live together and care for one another. There are
norms and negotiation of boundaries; there are rules. Camp is
a place where kids can "practice" growing up stretching
their social, emotional, physical, and cognitive muscles outside
the context of their immediate family. This is what childhood
is supposed to provide.
Camp teaches critical thinking. We need to remember how important
it is to be actively involved in the learning process, and camp
affords that. We're going to need really strong problem
solvers in the next century. We need the science, math, and biology,
but without the ability to relate, connect, empathize, or inspire
innovation, how will our kids be able to make a difference in
the challenges now facing us?
The camp experience embraces the natural environment. While
children have fewer and fewer opportunities to be outdoors, the
camp experience advances the outdoor learning environment. As
we become more concerned about saving the planet, we run out
and make DVDs and videos about it. But the environment needs
to be experienced to be appreciated. Kids need to catch
tadpoles in the creek, wander among the trees, and feel the sun
on their faces to understand the importance of those things.
What happens to a generation that may grow up not seeing stars
in the dark of the night?
Camp creates future leaders. The camp experience offers kids
a close-up look at compassionate leadership through the camp
director, counselors, resident nutritionist, and other camp personnel.
And kids get loads of opportunities to practice being a leader
themselves — song leader, lunch table leader, team captain,
the list goes on and on.
Camp is an equal opportunity life changer. It addresses universal
childhood needs not specific to a particular racial, ethnic,
or socioeconomic group. Nobody is left out. It's all about
childhood development.
Camp has a lasting impact. One of the greatest gifts you can
give a child is a sense of success and achievement. Camp teaches
kids how to be active participants, ask questions, ask for help,
and try new things. They leave understanding that it's
okay to feel a little uncomfortable sometimes, because that's
generally what happens when you're getting ready to learn
something. The camp experience translates back in real-world
experience — in an "I can" attitude.
We need to advocate for our young people. We should promote
opportunities for kids — give them camp experiences that
serve as an antidote for the world's challenges. We need
to recognize this is not a series of frivolous activities. We
often think if it looks like fun it must be unimportant, but "fun" is
a young person's "work" — to learn, to
grow, to be productive, creative, and happy. If they don't
do that work, they won't turn into healthy adults.
Now more than ever, kids need camp. Visit www.CampParents.org to
find out how you can change a life by helping make it possible
for every child to have a camp experience.
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