Camp gives all of us a world of good

Camping Magazine, Nov-Dec, 1994

The theme of our Public Awareness Campaign -- "CAMP gives kids a world of good" -- is not just some arbitrary saying we've made into a cute logo. Support for it exists everywhere, mostly in your camps! Camp professionals and campers alike know that the things we learn about ourselves and others through the camp experience are countless and priceless.

We at Camping Magazine would like to share with our readers a bit of that support....

In her research report I Am Somebody, Mary Faeth Chenery investigated the nature of the resident camp community and its impact on children and youth. The primary question she set out to answer was: "How does participation in an organized resident camp program contribute to the development of positive attitudes and skills and of caring social behaviors in youth?"

Here is a sample of what she discovered: Campers, staff, directors, alumni, and parents, representing all the camps studied, spoke about outcomes related to learning at camp. The following outcome statements are arranged in the order of most frequently mentioned to least frequently mentioned.

Learning about oneself.

"I have learned...

* independence, self-reliance

* to be myself, and to find out who that self is

* self-discipline, motivation, not to be so lazy, to challenge myself, to be more willing to do things

* improved self-esteem, self-confidence

* to be cheerful, excited, less stressed

* to believe in myself

* to do without my parents

* to appreciate my family, home

* maturity

* to have more energy, good health

* to be more open

* to be more willing to try again

* leadership skills

* a sense of belonging at camp

* to deal with my problems

* some new interests

* Christian values, about God

* to live without TV, pop, material things

* to make choices

* a sense of accomplishment

* patience

* to face my fears and overcome them

* to stop complaining

* that it's okay to be a girl

* time management skills"

Learning about group living and interpersonal skills.

"I have learned...

* to make friends, to be friendly

* to get along, to control my temper, to have a better attitude

* to interact with others

* responsibility

* to be more comfortable with others

* stronger values, right from wrong

* to help others

* to accept others, to accept diversity

* to share, unselfishness

* to trust

* to cooperate, teamwork

* manners and politeness

* to volunteer

* to obey more and understand why

* a caring attitude

* that people care

* that I am not always right

* that people can pick on you"

The "world of good" doesn't stop with those who've had a recent camp experience. Adults remember camp, and the things they learned at camp, at various times in their lives. Many attribute their successes in life to those early camp experiences and discoveries about themselves.

In a recent letter to Bob Gersten, Director of Brant Lake Camp in New York, Alan Siegel shared his thoughts about what camp offered him:

I spent every summer from ages 6 to 16 at Brant Lake Camp, where I learned to tie my shoes, make my bed, sort my laundry, eat whatever was put on the table (with the exception of tongue), keep track of my personal belongings, sweep the bunk, resolve differences with people who didn't share my views, and become a responsible, self-reliant person.

I learned to swim, play every conceivable team and individual sport, camp in the wilderness, and keep my cool when things didn't go my way.

I participated in songfests, watched the sunset at hundreds of campfires and made a number of lifelong friends.

These experiences were a perfect complement to growing up in suburban Long Island They provided the foundation that made a whole series of life experiences -- college, the Army, and a business career -- easier to handle.

Who can argue the goodness camp gives to and brings out in people? The world will change only gradually, beginning with each life we touch. Thanks to all of you who make a child's life more special, more meaningful, happier, more productive, more loved... through your efforts at camp. Sometimes it's nice to be reminded that camp gives kids a world of good, and that YOU are a part of that good world called CAMP!

Reference

Chenery, Mary Faeth. (1991). I am Somebody: The Messages and Methods of Organized Camping for Youth Development. Durham, N.C.: Author.