Why I Love Summer Camp (and What We Can All Learn From It)
I remember when…
Summer camp used to be all about lanyard-weaving, wood-burning, camping out in tents, and s’mores.
I just returned from the Tri-State Camp Conference. Although the trade show exhibits included all of the above, they also featured:
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Fabulous fashion like oh-so-cool Hollister-like tee shirts (so one can be trendy, branded, logo-ed, and easily found on camp trips). Personalized headbands, wristbands, and dog tags are also hot this summer. You can wear your colors on all parts of your body.
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Wild and super-stimulating options for camp activities and trips. I suppose that device deprivation needs to be cured with other types of thrills throughout the summer.
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A plethora of solutions for medical, health, and behavior issues — from lice to sexual harassment and bullying. Poison ivy and homesickness seem to pale by comparison to the range of challenges today’s camp director must face. (Note: If any parents are reading this, be sure to ask your kids’ camp director how he/she is training staff. Online training programs like this one enable directors to prepare teens and others for the responsibilities of supervising younger kids over the summer.)
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Lots of technology-based options for camps to manage registration, data capture, communication, and even camp reunions. Cloud-watching has taken on a whole new meaning.
At this year’s keynote address (Seth Godin), a huge campfire was projected on the big screen. Although the fire was fake, the warmth was provided by the wonderful folk (directors, counselors and staff) sitting around me.
Summer fun is still alive and well for 2011. It’s just gotten a bit more electric and eclectic. I hope the line gets drawn before someone suggests virtual color war!
Adam has worked in the local news industry for the past two decades in Westchester County and the broader Hudson Valley. Read more from Adam’s author bio here.