Getting teens excited can be a challenge, but when it comes to camp, that has not been true in my family. My fourteen-year-old son, Wesley, attends Camp Capers, an Episcopal camp in the Hill Country. When he returns home, he is feeling like his best self. He beams with joy, talking non-stop, and singing camp songs all the way home. My daughter, Hazel, also loved camp. She attended Rocky
River Ranch, an all-girls camp in Wimberly. Camp was transformative for her as well. I barely recognized the child I picked up. She glowed with happiness, and she was thrilled to share what she had created and teach her little brother everything she had learned.
What makes sleepaway camp such a life changing experience for children? As I reflect on my children’s time at camp, as well as my own, the chance to develop independence away from one’s family, the strong sense of community and belonging, the close friendships, and the exposure to the outdoors, stand out as the greatest benefits.
Camp gives children a safe place away from family to make decisions and solve everyday problems on their own. They have choices, like what to eat or what to do in their free time, but they will also face natural consequences. I once lost a treasured ring from my dad while swimming at camp. My friends and I spent what seemed like hours looking at the bottom of a murky lake. Reflecting on these choices helps to develop self-sufficiency and an internal sense of responsibility.
The formation of new friendships and developing a sense of community is encouraged at camp. Being in a cabin, as well as team building activities likes ropes courses, daily sing alongs, group games, and other opportunities to be silly and have fun, help children understand that they belong to something bigger than themselves. For my children, taking a break from technology also put the focus on connecting with others.
The biggest benefit in my mind as an educator is the time in nature. Spending time outdoors has been linked to numerous physical and mental health benefits. Research has shown it improves mood and self-esteem while decreasing feelings of stress and anxiety. A sense of wonder and curiosity for the natural world are developed by exploring nature. In my life, these camp experiences have led to a lifelong love of being outdoors, as well as a dedication to being a good steward of nature.
All Saint’s students may be too young for overnight camp, but these are some of the same goals that we have for children. In the classroom, and on our playground, or “outdoor classroom”, we work to help children become independent, feel belonging and connection to others, and develop a love of nature. When I see children deeply engaged and working cooperatively to dig in the sand box to make volcanoes and rivers, encouraging each other to observe snails and butterflies, and excited to water our gardens, I know we are succeeding. My prayer for all of us is that we recognize the power of God’s creation to help us reflect and connect more deeply with ourselves and others. May we inspire the next generation to unplug, go into nature to find joy, and be great stewards of this beautiful Earth.
Gigi Khalsa, Head of School