Summer camp has always been about more than activities, schedules, and learning new things. At its best, camp creates something deeper: a sense of belonging. 

In a world where many young people and adults are experiencing increased loneliness, isolation, and social disconnection, camp communities have a unique opportunity to become spaces where relationships thrive, and every individual feels seen, valued, and connected. According to the US Surgeon General’s 2023 advisory on loneliness and social connection, fostering meaningful relationships is one of the most powerful ways to support emotional well-being and resilience (US Department of Health and Human Services, 2023).  

Belonging does not happen by accident. It grows through intentional, consistent practices woven into everyday camp experiences. 

What Does Belonging Mean at Camp? 

Belonging can be defined as the feeling that we’re part of a larger group that values, respects, and cares for us, and to which we feel we have something meaningful to contribute (Cohen, 2022). 

Camp settings are uniquely positioned to foster this feeling because they create immersive environments where relationships develop quickly and shared experiences build connection. When campers and staff experience belonging, they are more likely to: 

• Engage fully in camp activities  
• Build positive peer relationships  
• Feel emotionally safe and included  
• Develop confidence and collaboration skills  
• Create lasting positive memories  

The rhythm of camp naturally provides opportunities for connection through meals, cabin groups, transitions, games, reflection circles, and shared traditions. The key is making those moments intentional (After School Matters, 2022; Whitlock & DuPont-Reyes, 2022). 

Moving Beyond Icebreakers 

Many camps begin with icebreakers to help participants get acquainted. While these activities are important, belonging deepens when connection becomes part of the daily culture rather than a one-time activity. 

One powerful shift is moving from isolated icebreakers to consistent, daily routines that help strengthen relationships over time. Examples include greeting every camper by name, daily partner or small-group conversations, collaborative activities that rotate peer interactions, reflection and gratitude moments, community-building circles, and mindful breathing or grounding exercises.  These small practices build trust, familiarity, and emotional safety over time.  

Harmony Academy’s Everyday Practices are designed to support this shift by embedding relationship-building into everyday routines that educators can use repeatedly.  

Building Connection Through Buddy Up 

One example of an Everyday Practice is “Buddy Up,” a structured peer-connection strategy designed to help campers build relationships with peers throughout camp.  

Buddy Up activities may include: 

• Partner conversations that invite campers to share ideas, experiences, or reflections. 
• Collaborative challenges that encourage campers to work together toward a shared goal. 
• Creative activities that allow campers to build, draw, move, imagine, or problem-solve together. 
• Connection routines that can be embedded into natural camp moments, such as transitions, meals, campfire talks, morning warm-ups, or evening wind-downs.  

The goal is not simply pairing campers together but intentionally creating opportunities for meaningful interaction. When implemented consistently, Buddy Up helps campers develop empathy and communication skills, build confidence interacting with new peers, strengthen collaboration skills, and feel more connected to their camp community. 

Importantly, these interactions also benefit camp staff by creating stronger staff-to-staff and staff-to-camper relationships. 

Creating Community Through Meet Up 

Another one of Harmony’s Everyday Practices that supports belonging is Meet Up, a community-building gathering where campers and staff come together to greet one another, share experiences, reflect, and connect, all within 10 minutes.  

Meet Up includes four steps: 

• Greeting: Campers and staff welcome one another by name and through a shared greeting routine. At camp, this can help set a positive tone for the start of the day, during cabin gatherings, or as groups come back together after transitions.  
• Sharing and Responding: Campers can share ideas, experiences, celebrations, or gratitude, while others practice listening and responding. At camp, this might include a highlight from the day, responding to a conversation prompt, or naming something they are looking forward to.  
• Checking In: Campers reflect on how the group is working together and whether they are making progress toward shared or individual goals. In camp settings, this may include noticing what is going well, naming what could be improved, or revisiting group agreements.  
• Connecting: Campers participate in a quick activity to strengthen group or individual connection. For group connection, this might look like a collaborative game or activity, whereas for individual connection, this may involve a mindful moment of quiet visualization. 

These gatherings help establish consistent opportunities for every voice to be heard. Even brief daily interactions can significantly strengthen community culture when they are intentional and inclusive. 

One particularly important reminder from the presentation materials is simple yet powerful: every camper should be greeted in some way every day.  

Belonging Lives in the Small Moments 

One of the most important takeaways for camp professionals is that belonging does not require large-scale programming changes. In fact, belonging often grows through small, realistic routines implemented consistently over time.  

Camp leaders can begin by asking: 

• Where are natural moments for connection already happening?  
• How can transitions become opportunities for belonging?  
• How can staff intentionally model inclusion and relationship-building?  
• What routines help every camper feel noticed and valued?  
• Where could a consistent Meet Up or Buddy Up routine strengthen the flow of the day? 

The answers may look different at every camp, but the goal remains the same: creating environments where healthy relationships become part of the culture. 

The Lasting Impact of Belonging 

The experiences young people have at camp can shape how they view themselves, their relationships, and their communities long after summer ends. When camps intentionally prioritize belonging, they create spaces where campers and staff alike feel connected, supported, and empowered. 

Belonging is not an extra initiative layered onto camp programming. It is the heartbeat of a thriving camp community. 

And often, it begins with something small: a greeting, a conversation, a shared activity, or simply the feeling that someone noticed you and cared. 

References 

After School Matters. (2022). Importance of belonging for youth hope and well-being. afterschoolmatters.org/wp-content/uploads/Research-Brief-December-2022.pdf 

Cohen, G. L. (2022). Belonging: The science of creating connection and bridging divides. WW Norton & Company. 

US Department of Health and Human Services. (2023). Our epidemic of loneliness and isolation: The US Surgeon General’s advisory on the healing effects of social connection and community. Office of the Surgeon General. hhs.gov/sites/default/files/surgeon-general-social-connection-advisory.pdf 

Whitlock, J. L., & DuPont-Reyes, M. J. (2022). Adolescent connectedness: Cornerstone for health and well-being. The BMJ, 379. doi.org/10.1136/bmj-2021-069213 

Photo courtesy of Camp Gallahue, Girl Scouts of Central Indiana