opportunity to not only have fun — but
to unplug — and experience new activ-
ities and adventures in a safe and wel-
coming environment.

Plus, there are additional benefits.

Camp brings our children closer to
nature, and encourages social and emo-
tional development while encouraging
independence, resiliency, empathy and
adaptability. Alfred Adler, a noted philoso-
pher and psychiatrist (1870-1937), stressed
three things that are important to one’s
emotional health and well-being: the need
to feel connected, to contribute to some-
thing beyond the individual and to feel capa-
ble. While he introduced these ideas more
than 80 years ago, they are still true today.

Sleepaway camp addresses all of Adler’s
concepts. Children need to establish rela-
tionships and connect with peers and
counselors as they navigate their day.

Building friendships, learning empathy and
caring for others all help create a strong
emotional core. Helping clean the cabin,
writing a camp song, paddling a canoe —
all of these activities give kids a chance to
practice contributing through teamwork
and collaboration. Mastering the skill of
archery or wall climbing, through practice
and perseverance, strengthen feelings of
confidence and capability.

Tina Payne Bryson, Ph.D., a pediatric and
adolescent psychotherapist and the co-au-
thor of “The Whole-Brain Child,” was inter-
viewed in the January ‘14 issue of Camping
magazine. She noted the very real physi-
cal effect of growing these social skills by
stating, “Bunks are good for brains … pro-
moting independence, confidence, friend-
ship-building, resilience, thriving, charac-
ter, grit, etc.” She further adds, “Experience
changes brains … it’s like a muscle. When
it’s used, it grows and strengthens.”
Other benefits from daily cabin activi-
ties include the development of fairness,
exploration and curiosity while maximizing
intellectual, moral and physical develop-
ment. With ample opportunities for kids
to be their best selves, camp life provides
countless new experiences for fun, happy
and healthy personal growth in a safe and
encouraging environment with friends and
caring counselors.

Sleepaway camp is not only an
extraordinary gift, but a life changing
experience. Children learn to persevere
when challenged by unfamiliar experi-
ences. They learn patience and confi-
dence when connecting with others and
the importance of working together for a
positive shared experience.

When exploring a camp program for your
child, you should consider developmentally
appropriate and nurturing environments
that promote self-esteem, leadership, inde-
pendence, conflict resolution and team
building. Understanding the camp philoso-
phy, leadership and culture is imperative in
finding the right program for your child.

Dr. Stern explains, “Camp provides
an opportunity for children to learn and
to grow … for many children this allows
them to try new things, voice new opin-
ions and do things that they may never
have been exposed to.”
Parents can help by choosing sleep-
away camps that encourage children
to experience new activities, form
new relationships and integrate the
camper into camp life in a nurturing,
safe and fun environment.

The right sleepaway camp can be a won-
derful life changing event for children — a
treasured experience that lasts forever. ■



CHOOSING THE RIGHT SLEEPAWAY CAMP
Questions for Parents
Questions for Camp Directors
According to the American Camp Association (ACA),
below are some questions to ask yourself when
searching for a sleepaway camp for your child:
Here are some important questions to ask camp
directors before deciding on a camp:
1. What locale do I want to consider? (Mountains,
oceanfront, distance from home, etc.)
2. Do I want a traditional camp that gives my child a
wide-variety of experiences, or do I want to select
a specialty camp that focuses on a particular
activity or set of skills?
1. Does the camp provide flexible programming and a
nurturing environment?
2. Is team building a component of cabin life?
3. How are the counselors trained to handle conflict?
4. How are physical, intellectual and moral
development incorporated into the camp program?
3. What size enrollment will make my child feel
comfortable? 5. How does the camp optimize opportunities for
independence and emotional growth?
4. How structured do I want the program to be? Does
my child like to have lots of choice in the activity
schedule? 6. What programs are in place to facilitate
leadership skills?
5. What session length will appeal to my child and to
our family plans for the summer?
7. How is the camp environment optimized for
developing healthy self-esteem?
Glenn Smith is the owner and director of Camp Tall Timbers, an
award-winning camp program, located in the beautiful foothills of the
Blue Ridge mountains in High View, WV. For over 48 years, Camp
Tall Timbers has been promoting independence, decision-making,
socialization, skill building, confidence, creativity and self-discovery
in a safe and nurturing environment.