The holiday season is a great time of year for a camp director. While there is plenty to do, most deadlines are far off in the distance. It requires some discipline, but not usually a lot of stress. December, in particular, allows for a lot of goals, lists, and reflection. I was recently reflecting on what summer camp at High Rocks has done and can do for boys.
Each year I ask our oldest age group of boys, the “Upper Seniors“, to write a letter explaining why they want to come back to Camp High Rocks. This is part of their process when they send in their application to return. These boys have attended High Rocks for several years, with the average being more than five years and a small group that has hit eight summers. I add a few prompts to get them thinking about their previous experiences along with some deadlines and reminders.
I read and respond to every single letter. We are a smaller camp, but this still entails about 75-80 letters. As you might imagine, the depth of the responses vary but there are a number of common threads that flow through nearly all of the letters showing how summers at Camp High Rocks have impacted their lives. Some of the reasons these boys come back to camp are obvious and others may surprise you. Here is what stood out most to me.
Friendship was a big one. It’s not hard to imagine that sharing countless hours with 6-8 boys in a space that may be smaller than their bedroom at home might have an impact. The boys speak about how they have learned to enjoy the differences, similarities, and the general comradery of being together in a tight knit community without any screen time. I think the environment forces them to be engaged and present. The common sentiment is how excited they are to be back with the “camp” friends that they have made from all over the country and sometimes the world. Many even mention that their camp friends feel like family. To me, I feel like camp teaches boys how to foster friendships by learning how to interact with boys outside of their immediate circle.
Skills, teamwork, and cooperation was another big one. Many of the boys recounted the skills they have learned here at camp. Including activities they have never done before. The sought after “Upper Senior Challenge” that only the boys of the oldest age compete in, was a key point of interest or memory, particularly in the terms of cooperation and teamwork. High Rocks activities have always been more than just “wee-ha.” We’re not an amusement park. We want them to choose their activities and stick with them so that they build the skills that lead to more fun and accomplishment.
Independence and being away from their parents, even when it was hard at first, came up throughout the letters. As I have said many times, you can’t teach independence, you have to give it. While that phrase is probably not entirely true, summer camp at High Rocks is a great place for boys to learn that there are many tasks they can do on their own. You can read more about our Summit Leadership Program for these boys here.
Finally, what the boys did not specifically say but you glean from their prose is that their years as a camper has boosted their self confidence, resilience, and even their appreciation/empathy. Summer camp creates an impressive space that you cannot find anywhere else. It has been such a joy over the last 30 years to watch these boys grow. I am now enjoying the opportunity to see their children attend as campers. Maybe my next blog will be about what a job at summer camp can teach you?
All the best,
Don Gentle
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