Recently I came across a terrific book about summer camp by bestselling author and speaker, Michael Thompson, entitled, ‘Homesick and Happy’, Thompson argues that in today’s world, when many parents consider it unsafe even to let their child walk to school by themselves, overnight camp has never been more important. Children are rarely away from adults, rarely out of reach of their parents, and this does little for their resilience, confidence and sense of independence. But the dangers in our cities are all too real – so how do parents give children the independence that was so easily theirs, a generation ago?
The answer is, they send them off to camp.
At sleepover camp, children are safe. There are adults looking out for them all of the time. Yet at camp, they have more freedom than they could ever have in the real world these days. Camps are child-centred worlds; the needs and interests of kids are placed first. Their safety comes first, too, and children can experience the kind of growth milestones that only happen away from the known spaces of home. Camp is electronic-free, so no need for parents to worry about those dangers. Camps are mostly closed environments; no stranger danger to worry about. Kids learn to advocate for themselves and discover they can succeed away from family.
Camp is also a place of magic, as Thompson points out in his book; a world beyond the complexity of modern urban life. There’s a reason children who go to overnight camp often remain in close contact with camp friends for the rest of their lives: unique connections are fostered away from the grind of the everyday world. Recently, two of our staff members married each other. They had met as campers nearly two decades ago, joined our counsellor team, and then left to start their own careers, maybe five years ago. I was surprised, looking around at the reception, to realise half their friends were ex-campers and staff. These are the people they grew up with. Now, they’ll share in one another’s joys and sorrows, and provide one another with a deep and vital support network, for the rest of their adult lives.
Thompson’s book is a powerful reminder that even when the going gets tough – if a child is homesick, or anxious, or struggling to make that first friend – the value of camp remains steady. Not all of growing up is easy, and going away to camp isn’t always easy, either. Growing up is about struggles, challenges, new experiences and facing fears. It’s also about joy, increasing confidence, new skills, resilience, forming bonds, discovering yourself and being independent. One thing is certain: you get all of that – as well as the magic – when you go away to overnight camp.
Julie Hartley
Director
Centauri Summer Arts Camp