10 Weeks, Hundreds of Campers, Countless Lessons

By: Dr. Kristin Johnson

Ten weeks.

Hundreds of campers.

Countless muddy shoes, scraped knees, snow balls, climbing, zipping, new friendships, big emotions, belly laughs, and moments of “I can't do this.”

Followed by:

“I did it.”

As we wrap up 10 weeks of summer camp, I find myself thinking less about the activities and more about everything that happened between them.

Because camp isn't really about the climbing, canoeing, or swimming.

Those are the vehicles.

The real learning happens in the moments in between.

Kids learn by doing.

Camp creates a unique space for kids to practice skills in real time.

They practice flexibility when plans change.

Problem-solving when something doesn't work.

Communication when they navigate conflict.

Leadership when they are given responsibility.

Executive functioning when they manage their belongings, remember instructions, and regulate their emotions.

And resilience when something is hard.

These aren't just skills we talk about.

They're skills kids get to experience, practice, and grow through every day.

We have to let kids struggle.

One of the hardest things for adults to do is watch a child struggle.

Our instinct is to jump in, fix it, and make it easier.

But sometimes the most powerful thing we can say is:

“I'm right here. What could you try next?”

Confidence doesn't come from being told “You can do it.”

Confidence comes from experiencing:

“I did something hard, and I figured it out.”

And belonging matters.

Maybe the most important lesson of all is that kids need places where they feel known.

They need adults who notice.

Peers who include them.

And spaces where they don't have to be the best, fastest, strongest, or loudest.

They just need to belong.

Ten weeks later, the equipment gets put away and the camp gets a little quieter.

But hopefully, our campers leave with something that lasts much longer than summer:

A little more confidence.

A little more independence.

A stronger sense of belonging.

And the knowledge that they are capable of more than they thought.