Les bénéfices des programmes de camp d’été liés au STEM

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STEM est un mot à la mode — ou plutôt, un acronyme – qui circule dans les milieux éducatifs et qu’on ne s’attendrait pas à entendre dans le cercle des camps d’été. STEM signifie science, technologie, ingénierie (avec un e en anglais) et maths, quatre matières auxquelles les éducateurs s’efforcent de plus en plus d’exposer leurs élèves, démarche à laquelle les camps d’été ont décidé de se joindre. D’après l’Association américaine des camps, les activités liées à STEM et qui ont été ajoutées aux programmes des camps se sont révélées les plus populaires ces cinq dernières années. Il y a une bonne raison à cela; en effet, les enfants apprennent d’une façon ludique. Les classes sont remplacées par le plein air ou encore ont lieu dans des installations conçues exclusivement pour des programmes individuels. La taille des classes est extrêmement réduite pour que les participants puissent faire leurs découvertes reliées au domaine du STEM sur le tas grâce aux activités du camp. Selon le New York Daily News, la taille moyenne d’une classe de  New York, région où les camps d’été sont particulièrement populaires, est de 25 élèves et dans certaines écoles, elle atteint même 30 élèves. Les programmes des camps liés à STEM, tels que Nature, Étude des fusées et Radio sont souvent limités à une douzaine de participants maximum par période d’activité. De plus en plus, les programmes liés à STEM sont parmi les plus populaires chez les participants. Pourquoi les enfants viennent-ils en masse dans ces programmes éducatifs ? Voici quelques-unes des raisons.

Tout d’abord, les camps d’été offrent un milieu plus informel et relax. Il n’y a pas de devoir, ni de programme, ni de cours magistral, ni de date limite, ni d’examen.

C’est d’abord un endroit où on participe totalement selon son niveau de «confiance en soi». On encourage tous les enfants à participer au moins une fois durant son séjour à un programme lié à STEM et certains se découvrent un nouvel intérêt ou une passion et y reviennent plusieurs fois. Cette approche du genre «participe si tu as envie» permet aussi aux enfants de choisir leurs centres d’intérêts. Les moniteurs, souvent des étudiants ou des professionnels du domaine qu’ils dirigent, sont là pour aider les enfants, les encourager et leur permettre de concentrer leurs efforts sur un aspect particulier d’une activité liée à STEM s’ils le désirent.

Ensuite, l’objectif du camp d’été pour les participants, c’est de s’amuser. Il va donc sans dire que les activités du camp sont conçues pour procurer du plaisir, même celles qui sont liées à des matières pour lesquelles les enfants sont habituellement moins enthousiastes pendant l’année scolaire. À cet égard, les programmes éducatifs au camp de nuit ne visent pas à concurrencer ni à remplacer ce que les enfants apprennent à l’école mais plutôt à le renforcer.

Enfin, on trouve un bon mélange d’activités. Contrairement à l’école, où les élèves passent d’un sujet à l’autre par un cours magistral dans la journée, au moins la moitié de la journée au camp se passe dehors et les enfants participent à des sports et des activités nautiques. Bien des camps incluent aussi un temps de repos dans leur programmation afin qu’enfants et personnel rechargent leurs batteries. Donc, les activités que l’on perçoit comme éducatives sont combinées à de bonnes doses d’activité physique et de relaxation. Cela permet aux participants d’avoir le temps et l’espace nécessaires pour réfléchir aux activités auxquelles ils participent dans la journée et d’aborder les activités suivantes l’esprit reposé.

Bien que les programmes liés à STEM des camps d’été n’ont pas pour but de remplacer ceux de l’école, ils peuvent finalement inspirer de futurs scientifiques, techniciens, ingénieurs ou mathématiciens parmi les enfants qui auront été encouragés à explorer ces matières d’une façon et à un niveau qui pourrait leur manquer durant l’année scolaire. Certains rapporteront ces nouveaux intérêts chez eux et seront plus enthousiastes à l’école, ce qui rend ces activités programmes liées à STEM si précieuses dans la programmation des camps.

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另孩子们对夏令营说个不停的五个原因

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今年–也和每年这个时候那样，遇到了这个情况的人举手。正当你以为自己终于–终于啊–听完了那些故事，它又来了。也许是有关夏令营的视频、夏令营的简报……甚至还收到了一封夏令营再聚会的邀请。不论它是什么，都和夏令营有关，来提醒你夏天又度过了一半了，这边你又在听滑水或棒球的故事，嗯，算算有第27次了。如果你发现自己在问自己为什么每一个夏天，几个礼拜能够对你的孩子产生如此深远影响，以至于到了严冬，他们还在津津乐道，就如同那是在几个星期之前发生的，产生这个疑惑的人举起你的手来。你也许倒不是介意这些。你很高兴自己在夏令营上的投资结果是一个很好的投资。可还是会迷惑不解。那么，就有一些方面可以考虑：

1.）在夏令营，宿营者们每一天都有整天的时间和朋友们在一起。

在你要说他们在学校也有啊之前，想想看：在夏令营，宿营者们不仅整天和他们的朋友在一起，而且有机会和他们互动。想想看，在学校和朋友们的互动主要限于课间走廊谈话，课间大休息（对于更小的孩子们来说）及午餐时间。当然，他们可以在上课时冒着被老师留下的风险，偷偷扯几句，可是大部分时候，老师上课的时候（上学的一天中大部分时间）讲话一般是不鼓励的。相比下，更像一个持续几周，在同学家“过夜”（sleepaway）的活动或聚会，而且每天宿营者们都可以和朋友们一起进行特别的活动。从“乐趣”指数上你说说这怎么比得上啊！

2.）孩子们在营地可以释放自我。并不是说在夏令营没有规定。但是规定往往是那种促进放松的。它们比学校中的规定要大为宽松，而且就算那些有关于社交场合举止得当的，和那些孩子们要在其它10个月份里遵守的相比都要松一些。例如，多数餐馆（或他们的顾客）或许在孩子们吃饭时唱歌或大叫时没那么高兴。多数夏令营都鼓励这一点。

3.）孩子们在夏令营可以学会独立。不是说你的孩子不爱你或不崇拜你，可是他们也喜欢靠自己做事。在夏令营第一次靠自己努力成功做到一件事情，孩子们会感到很自豪（当然是在他们同伴们、辅导员和大批宿营工作人员的支持下，……可在孩子的心中，是自己一人取得的，不过这没关系）。这给他们带来一种自豪感，知道自己不需要爸爸妈妈去做每件事。

4.）营地是一个年轻的环境。营地是一个专门给年轻人的环境。就算是工作人员也有一颗年轻的心。这听上去没什么，可从孩子的角度考虑“真实”世界吧。基本上，在那是不停被成年人管束，不停被提醒什么事情都只有长大后才能去做。相比之下，营地是一个专门让孩子们高兴的地方，一个不断被提醒当小孩子是一个多么美妙的事情的地方。

5.）孩子们在夏令营看待时间的方式不同。真的！真是不同。上学开始了，孩子们用“还剩几个月”来进行的倒计时也开始了。

那是一个缓慢的倒计时，孩子们总认为自己在后面。前面总还有时间。当夏令营开始，同样开始了一个倒计时。可这个倒计时是以“过了多少周”来计算。孩子们让自己位于夏令营倒计时的前面。换言之，他们知道自己的夏令营时间是有限的。从他们到来那一刻起，他们就开始去充分利用每分每秒，这增加了体验的强度。这就是为什么那些你一遍遍听到的，似乎是枯燥的“夏令营体验”或“你非得去那”的故事，它们让你的孩子们如此热衷去说。事实上，他们是很真切地体验了时时刻刻，以至会念念不忘。对比方说，上一次的数学考试就没有很多孩子会有同样的热情。

所以当下一封夏令营的提醒信到了你的邮筒或电子邮箱，又出现一则则故事，那么别忘了，对于宿营者来说，从夏令营来的任何一样东西都如同收到从童话中永无岛（Neverland）寄来的一张贺卡。

STEM과 관련된 여름 캠프 프로그램들의 장점들

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STEM은 인기 있는 유행어 입니다—또는 더 알맞게 말하자면 교육적인 순환 사이에서 순환하는 두문자어입니다. 그러나 이것은 여름 캠프 순환내에서 들어질거라 예상되는 용어는 아닐 것입니다. STEM은 교육자들이앞다투어 갈수록 더 학생들에게 추가적인 노출을 하려는 네 과목 분야 즉, 과학, 기술, 공학 그리고 수학을 의미하고 여름 캠프는 이 시류에 합세하고 있습니다. 미국 캠프 협회에 따르면, STEM과 관련된 활동들은 지난 오년 간 좋은 이유로 가장 인기 있는 여름 캠프 프로그램들이었습니다. 여름 캠프는 캠퍼들에게 즐겁고 학습을 하는 대안의 장소를 제공합니다. 교실은 야외 또는 개인 프로그램을 위해 독점적으로 고안된 시설들로 대체되고 수업의 규모는 관련된 캠프 활동들을 통해 학생들에게 보다 세심하고 직접 체험할 수 있는 접근으로 STEM 분야를 탐험할 수 있게 대폭으로 줄였습니다. 뉴욕 데일리 뉴스에 따르면, 특히 인기 있는 뉴욕의 여름 캠프 평균 수업 학생 수는 25명 이라고 합니다. 몇몇의 학교에서는 학생 수가 30명을 초과합니다. STEM과 관련된 캠프 프로그램들 예를 들어Nature, Rocketry and Radio는 종종 활동 기간 당 12명 보다 적은 인원을 받습니다. STEM과 관련된 프로그램 들은 점점 더 캠퍼들에게 가장 인기 있는 캠프 임을 증명합니다. 그렇다면 왜 아이들이 교육 틈새 프로그램으로 모여들까요? 거기에는 몇몇의 이유들이 있습니다.

첫째, 여름 캠프는 격식에 얽매이지 않고, 느긋한 환경을 제공합니다. 숙제가 없습니다. 강의 계획서가 없습니다. 강의가 없습니다. 마감 시간이 없습니다. 시험이 없습니다.  

이것은 완전히 ‘당신의 편안함의 수준에 참가하라’의 환경입니다. 모든 캠퍼들은 여름 동안 적어도 한 번은 STEM과 관련된 캠프 프로그램에 참가하라고 장려되지만, 몇몇은 새로운 흥미 또는 열정을 찾고 여러 번 되돌아옵니다. ‘당신이 바라는 것에 참가하라’ 의 접근은 또한 캠퍼들에게 어떻게 그들의 관심사에 집중하는 지를 선택하게끔 합니다. 협력자들은 이 분야를 이끄는 상담가들, 종종 대학 전공자 또는 전문가들로 이루어져 있습니다. 그들은 캠퍼들에게 그들이 바랬던 것 처럼 용기를 복돋아 주고 그들의 노력을 STEM과 관련된 활동의 특정 측면으로 통과할 수 있게 도와줍니다.

두번째, 여름 캠프의 전체 핵심은 캠퍼들이 재미를 느끼는 것입니다. 캠프 활동들이 재미를 강조하기 위해서 고안되었다는 것은 말할 필요도 없고, 심지어 학생들이 학기중에 전통적으로 덜 흥미를 느끼는 과목 분야에 대해서도 재미를 주기 위해 고안되었습니다. 그 점과 관련하여, 집에서 떨어져 자는 캠프에서의 교육적인 틈새 프로그램은 학기 중의 학습과 경쟁하거나 대체하는 의도를 가진 것이 아니라, 그것을 강화시키려는 의도를 갖고 있습니다.

셋째, 건강한 활동의 혼합체 입니다. 학생들이 하루동안 과목을 수강하기 위해 움직이는 전형적인 학교의 강의 환경과는 다르게, 전통적인 여름 캠프의 적어도 반나절은 캠퍼들이 스포츠와 수상 활동에 참가할 수 있는 야외에서 보냅니다. 많은 캠프들은 또한 캠퍼들과 스태프들에게 재충전의 시간을 주기 위해서 그들의 프로그램에 휴식시간을 고려해 포함합니다. 그래서 이러한 프로그램 활동들은 건강한 신체적 활동, 휴식과 교육적인 것을 합성한 것으로 이해됩니다. 이것은 캠퍼들에게 하루동안 그들이 상쾌한 마음으로 활동에 참가하고 미래의 활동의 접근에 알맞은 시간과 공간을 갖게합니다.

전통적인 STEM과 관련된 여름 캠프들이 학교에서 제공되는 이러한 것들을 대체하려는 의도를 가진 것은 아님에도 불구하고, 이 프로그램들은 궁극적으로 평등하게 캠퍼들을 이러한 과목들에 부분적으로 그리고 학기 중에 그들이 닿을 수 없는 수준까지 탐험하게 함으로써 미래의 과학자들, 기술자들, 공학자들, 또는 수학자들을 격려하는데 기인합니다. 몇몇의 캠퍼들은 이러한 과목들에서 찾은 새로운 흥미를 집에 가져갈 수 있고 학교에서 새로운 열의를 가질 수 있으며, STEM과 연관된 그들의 참가 예정인 여름 캠프 프로그램들을 귀중하게 할 수있습니다.

5 raisons pour lesquelles les enfants parlent sans arrêt des camps d’été

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Levez la main si cela vous est arrivé cette année — comme cela se passe chaque année à cette époque. Juste comme vous pensiez que vous en aviez enfin – ENFIN – fini avec ces histoires de camps d’été, les voilà qui reprennent. C’est peut-être à cause d’une vidéo, du bulletin du camp … même d’une invitation à une réunion du camp. Quoi qu’il en soit, c’était à propos du camp d’été pour vous rappeler que nous sommes à moitié chemin d’un autre été ; et là, vous entendez parler de ski nautique, de base-ball pour la … oh ! 27e fois. Et levez la main  si vous vous êtes demandé comment quelques semaines estivales peuvent avoir un effet si important sur vos enfants qu’ils en parlent encore en plein hiver comme si c’était seulement il y a quelques semaines. Ce n’est pas que ça vous ennuie. En fait, vous êtes bien contents que votre investissement dans un camp d’été ait été une bonne chose. Mais vous vous posez des questions. Eh bien, voici quelques petites choses à envisager.

1.) Au camp d’été, les participants passent tous les jours et toute la journée avec leurs amis. Avant de rétorquer qu’ils le font aussi à l’école, pensez à ceci :

Dans un camp d’été, les enfants non seulement passent la journée avec leurs mais ils interagissent avec eux. A bien y penser, l’interaction à l’école se limite surtout aux conversations dans les couloirs entre les cours, la récréation (pour les plus jeunes) et le repas du midi. Bien sûr, ils peuvent chuchoter entre eux en classe et risquer une punition mais en général, on ne les encourage pas à parler en classe alors que les enseignants présentent leur leçon (ce qui représente la majeure partie de la journée de classe). En comparaison, le camp d’été, c’est comme aller dormir chez un ami pendant plusieurs semaines et faire tous les jours quelque chose de spécial avec ses amis. Imbattable!

2.) Les enfants peuvent être eux-mêmes dans un camp d’été. Ce n’est pas qu’il n’y a pas de règles à suivre, non, mais celles-ci sont plutôt du genre à les mettre à l’aise.Elles sont bien plus souples que celles imposées par l’école et mêmes celles qui traitent de la bonne conduite lors de situations sociales sont un peu plus relâchées que celles qu’ils doivent respecter les dix autres mois de l’année. Par exemple, la plupart des restaurants (et leurs clients) n’ont pas particulièrement envie d’entendre des enfants chanter ou crier bravo en plein milieu des repas. Eh bien, la plupart des camps les y encourage.

3.) Les enfants apprennent à être indépendants lors d’un camp d’été. Cela ne veut pas dire qu’ils ne vous aiment pas, ni qu’ils ne vous adorent pas mais ils aiment bien faire des choses par eux-mêmes aussi. Ils sont très fiers d’avoir accompli quelque chose pour la première fois au camp (avec le soutien des autres enfants, des moniteurs et tout le personnel du camp aussi, bien sûr … mais dans leur tête, c’était eux seulement et c’est bien ainsi). Les voilà remplis de fierté de savoir qu’ils peuvent faire certaines choses sans l’aide de leur maman ou de leur papa.

4.) Le camp est un milieu jeune, dédié aux jeunes. Même le personnel est jeune d’esprit. Cela n’a l’air de rien mais pensez une minute au «vrai» monde, vu par un enfant. C’est un milieu où ils sont constamment surveillés par des adultes qui leur rappellent toutes les choses qu’ils pourront faire, une fois qu’ils seront devenus adultes. Alors qu’un camp d’été est un lieu où on leur fait plaisir et on leur rappelle que c’est chouette d’être un enfant.

5.) Les enfants tiennent compte du temps de façon différente lors d’un camp d’été. Mais oui vraiment ! Lorsque l’école recommence, le compte à rebours démarre lui aussi et les enfants comptent en «mois qui restent».

C’est un compte à rebours qui passe lentement et dont les enfants se trouvent à la traîne. Il y a encore du temps. Lorsque le camp d’été arrive, le compte à rebours commence aussi mais il se mesure en «semaines qui ont passé». Et là, les enfants sont en première ligne, c’est-à-dire qu’ils savent que leur temps au camp est limité. Dès leur arrivée, ils s’arrangent pour profiter de tous les instants, ce qui accroît l’intensité de leur expérience. C’est pour cela que les histoires du genre «C’est un truc du camp» ou encore «Tu n’étais pas là» que vous avez entendues maintes et maintes fois sont si précieuses pour vos enfants. Ils ont vécu des moments si forts qu’ils ne les oublieront jamais. Peu d’enfants partagent le même enthousiasme en ce qui concerne, disons, leur dernier examen de maths.

Donc, lorsque vous recevez une lettre ou un courriel de rappel du camp et que les histoires recommencent, souvenez-vous que pour un enfant, tout arrivage du camp équivaut à recevoir une carte postale du Pays des fées.

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参加STEM相关的夏令营活动的好处

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STEM 是一个热门词–或者，更贴切地说，是一个缩写–流传使用在教育圈，可也许不是人们期望会从夏令营领域圈子中听到。STEM代表了科学（Science),科技（Technology)，工程（Engineering）和数学 （Math），教育者们越来越要让学生们增加接触的四门课目，而夏令营如今也在想这么做。根据美国 夏令营协会（American Camp Association），STEM相关的活动在过去5年一直是最受欢迎的夏令营活动新增项目之一，而且有很好的理由。夏令营为宿营者们提供了一个另外的场地，用有乐趣的方式来学习。替换掉教室，取代的是户外，或专门用于个人培训而设计的场地设施，大幅度减少了班级大小，可以让宿营者通过相关的夏令营活动，在探索STEM的各领域采用更精细的，和动手的方式。根据《纽约每日新闻》 报（New York Daily News），在夏令营尤为受欢迎的纽约，平均班级大小是25个学生。一些学校的班级超过了30个学生。STEM相关的夏令营计划，例如，“自然”（Nature）、“火箭”（Rocketry）和“无线电”（Radio）通常每个活动时间段最多不超过12位宿营者。STEM相关的宿营计划越来越显示出是受到了宿营者们最大的欢迎。那么为什么孩子们踊跃报名参加教育的偏门计划？有一些可能的原因。

首先，夏令营提供了一个非正式、放松的环境。没有家庭作业。没有课程表。没有教课。没有规定完成时间。没有考试。

完全是一个“根据您感到舒适的水平参加”的环境。鼓励所有宿营者们在夏季参与至少一次STEM有关的活动。“自愿参加”的方式还让宿营者选择如何关注自己的兴趣。辅导员通常是他们所领队地区的大学生或教授，扮演的是辅助者。他们是在那里鼓励帮助宿营者们，另宿营者们的努力放在一次STEM相关活动的自己想要发展的某一个方面。

其次，夏令营的真正目的就是让宿营者玩得开心。所以不用说了，对营地活动的设计强调了乐趣，即便和上学时学生一般不太有热情的学科相关的活动也一样有趣。从那方面说，在“过夜”的夏令营进行的辅助教育活动不是为了与学生上课时的学习进行竞争或替换它，而是为了强化。

5 Things for Camp Parents to begin Thinking about in the Spring

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March is here, which means spring is just around the corner. More importantly, summer is only a few months away, which means it’s time to begin checking off that annual camp preparation list. No doubt, the idea that it’s time to begin thinking about summer is a welcome respite for many following a winter that regularly included terms such as “polar vortex.” So whether you’re preparing your children for their first summer at camp, or are still thawing out after a frigid winter, here are five things to think about as the snow begins to melt, temperatures begin to rise and vegetation blooms:

1.)    Order camp clothes. Some camps feature catalogues and websites that cater to supply lists and sell logo merchandise. Although most camps do not require parents to order supplies and clothing from these catalogues, a few items are never a bad idea, particularly for children who intend to be part of sports teams. Also, camps sometimes require children to wear a specific colored logo shirt on certain occasions, such as out of camp trips. These clothing catalogs are the best resources for these items.

2.)    Start talking about camp. For returning campers, chances are that they’ve never completely stopped talking about it. It’s good, however, to begin preparing firsttime campers a few months ahead of camp so that they are not completely overwhelmed when departure time for camp actually arrives. For all campers – returning or not – it’s good to set some goals for the summer. Some parents find that their children are a step ahead of them when it comes to goal setting, while other campers need a bit of assistance with organizing their thoughts and prioritizing. Either way, it’s good to begin a dialogue now so that you and your children have time to think about expectations for the summer.

3.)    Begin stockpiling. Some parents actually pull out camp duffles and begin packing in the early spring while others just clear off a shelf in a closet and begin picking up basic supplies such as sunscreen, shampoo, and socks whenever they are out shopping. Gradually building a stockpile prevents that last minute scramble that inevitably ends in a phone call either from or to the camp about forgotten items.

4.)    Schedule pre-camp checkups. This is particularly crucial if your child’s pediatrician tends to be one that is perpetually booked and scheduling appointments a month or two into the future. Camps are safety focused, and it’s is very important that they understand each and every camper’s medical needs and limitations. For liability reasons, they also need medical and insurance information prior to being able to permit campers to participate in certain activities, such as out of camp trips. Also, be sure to talk to your child’s doctor about any medications that will be necessary for the summer.

5.)    Complete paperwork. Camps mail or make necessary forms available online to parents around this time of year. The forms may include information about trips, interests, goals, children’s personalities, etc. Although the purpose of the paperwork may not always be clear, camps put a lot of thought and consideration into the information they request parents to provide, and that information is crucial to facilitating a successful summer for campers. Since this task can seem daunting in the midst of those last minute preparations just before camp, it’s a good idea to set aside a block of time early in the spring to complete forms.

Camp Pets

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Experts unanimously agree that there are benefits to pet ownership for children. In addition to teaching them responsibility, pets also entertain children, keep them active, alleviate stress and teach them about life. For some families, however, busy lifestyles make pet ownership impractical and even unrealistic. Enter another little known benefit of summer camp: summer pets. Many camp nature, exploration, and eco-science programs include an animal or two. Some camps even have extensive equestrian programs with camp-owned or leased horses and ponies. Because of allergies, camps tend to shy away from common household pets such as cats and dogs. Rather, animals with naturally reserved demeanors that are easy to handle like reptiles, rabbits, turtles and guinea pigs are preferable when it comes to camp pets. As a result, even campers who have pets at home get the opportunity to handle, care for and observe – to their comfort level – animals they may not frequently encounter. Those campers who do not have pets at home get to experience the joy of pet ownership and all of the benefits of it while those campers who do have pets at home tend to miss them less when their camp has animals. Camp pets sometimes double as mascots and campers come to view them as part of their camp. Best of all, everyone at summer camp, regardless of whether they have pets at home or not, has the opportunity to have a pet for at least a few weeks each year.

Waterfront Memories

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The guest blog this week was originally posted to the Camp Starlight blog on March 4, 2014. We’ve decided to feature it on the AFSC blog because it pays apt tribute to one of the most important areas of any summer camp–the Waterfront.

Close your eyes and try to imagine your favorite spot on campus. Most campers are probably visualizing the Starlight waterfront. Someone who is not so familiar with camp may ask, “What’s so special about the waterfront?” Well, with so many fun, different activities to cool you off, how could you not imagine such a magical spot on campus?

The lake at camp isn’t just a place to play in the sand, water toys such as trampolines, rock-its,and swings are extremely popular during “Free-swim” periods.  Waterskiing and wakeboarding are other waterfront favorites. There is something about being on the boat with your bunkmates and cheering each other on that makes everyone smile. Kayaking and Canoeing aren’t just about paddling around, they’re about going on adventures to places on the lake you can’t reach by just swimming.

The waterfront doesn’t shut down after activity periods are over; plenty of evening activities take place here too, with events like themed pool parties and synchronized swimming. As soon as counselors mention tubing as an evening activity, almost every child goes crazy with excitement.

Many memories are made on the waterfront at camp. Traditional campfires take place next to the waterfront, which makes for a peaceful and beautiful time with campers.  Friday Night Services, weather permitting, sometimes take place overlooking the lake. This is a time for the entire camp to come together, appreciate and reflect on the week in the midst of the background of the beautiful sunset on the lake.

The Starlight waterfront is a place where you can be sure to see children having a great time, laughing and enjoying their time with friends. Whether it’s an all-camp swim, or a divisional activity, there is always fun to be had, and memories to be made!

Be Better

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The Sochi Olympics took place last month, and even though the athletes competed on snow and ice, the games were surprisingly reminiscent of summer camp, particularly from a staff perspective. Many athletes were there for the first time. Some, however, were competing in their second, third, or even fifth Olympic games. Each summer at camp, likewise, attracts many fresh staff faces – eager but not quite sure what to expect – and returning staff who are back to lead the way and improve upon their past performances, even if those performances were already gold medal caliber. Oddly, a lot of camp blogs and articles address the qualities and expectations of new camp staff, but few address those of returners. How do staff approach camp if it is their second, third, fifth, or even tenth summer? The answer most veteran camp staff provide is that they intend to be better. Even great summers, in retrospect, have room for improvement. Like campers, returning staff always arrive with an agenda and, like athletes, always strive for that perfect 10 summer. Every summer is an Olympic year for camp staff.

Many returners actually begin goal setting for the following summer before the current summer ends. Some simply visualize areas in which they could be better while others actually comprise a physical list. Veteran staff members learn, over the course of several summers, that there is a maturation process to working at camp. Because camp tends to be such a microcosmic environment in which staff wear many hats, it’s almost impossible not to develop multiple perspectives of camp and how it can be made even better. Like athletes, veteran camp staff know that there is always room for improvement. Even the smallest of adjustments can elevate a summer from excellent to outstanding. In part, that is what draws returning staff members back year after year.

Regardless of whether each summer begins with a written or mental list of goals, it ends the same for all returning staff – with careful evaluation of their own performance. The desire to be better is a unique quality of returning camp staff, and a quality that makes them very appealing as job candidates. The enthusiasm of happy campers is infectious. Mediocrity is simply not an option when making campers happy. Returning camp staff are so willing to dedicate themselves to the task of creating gold medal summers that they come back year after year, physically and mentally ready to take on old challenges as well as new ones. At camp,  they eat, breathe, sleep and live what they’ve been envisioning since the end of the previous summer in their quest to simply be better at something they love.

There’s No Such Thing as Too Much (or Too Many)…

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Camp is definitely an “all-in” environment. There is very little that is considered too extreme when it comes to demonstrating enthusiasm, wackiness, even fun. No one ever wants to “kind of” do something at camp. Camp is all about going big before you go home. In that vein, it’s time for a list of things of which there is no such thing as too much (or too many) at camp:

There No Such Thing as Too Much (or Too Many)…

Laughing. Seriously, you can’t laugh too much at camp. It’s impossible. Whether it’s over an inside joke with your bunkmates or cabin mates or at one of your favorite counselors doing something goofy on stage in front of the whole camp, laughter is a camp constant.

Cheering. At camp, you do it at sporting events, while watching a fellow camper dive into a whipped cream pie,
while watching staff members wrestling each other in Jello, while showing team spirit, as a show of divisional or camp unity, to making meals more fun, even when your favorite dessert is rolled out. Cheering is just something you do at camp…pretty much all of the time.

Singing. Like cheering, singing is okay pretty much everywhere at camp. At some camps, it’s how you say good morning and goodnight. It’s what you do when thewhole camp is together. It spices up meals and campfires. Most camps even have their own songs. And there is always that one song every summer that practically every camper and staff member finds themselves humming or singing at least once every day.

Spirit. Speaking of spirit, it goes way beyond showing support for a team at summer camp. Camp spirit is all about demonstrating why your camp is the best camp—all day, every day. Every camper and staff member comes to camp prepared with sufficient clothing in camp colors. It is perfectly acceptable to paint your entire body camp colors in a show of spirit, and temporary tattoos with the camp logo or colors are pretty much standard at every camp activity.

Sun. Sure, rain happens sometimes and, when it does, campers and staff alike deal with it. But sun is the ideal setting for fun at camp, and you can never get too much of it. Sure, indulging involves lots of sunscreen, but anyone who has ever spent a lazy afternoon lying in the grass while chatting with camp friends knows that life doesn’t get much better.

Camp. That’s right. It’s pretty much a unanimous consensus at camp that there is no such thing as too much camp. That’s why most campers and staff members drive those around them nuts with camp stories during the 10 months when we can’t be there. Most campers and staff agree that life would be so much cooler if “10 for 2” was actually “2 for 10.”