Away
from the everyday
The world in which
our children live is
schedules are often full
with school, homework,
team activities (athletic,
academic, arts, theater,
music, etc.), playdates,
family visits, chores
and, yes, cell phones/
computers/video games.

BY GLENN SMITH
J ust as we recognize and learn to accept
this current world around us, we can, and
should, remember a key element of physi-
cal and emotional well-being: moderation.

Moderation gives us the opportunity to
sidestep overload, stress and lack of sleep —
and those are just a few benefits. It gives our
kids an opportunity to control the noise and
control the demands on their time. It gives
them permission to unplug. Unplugging
from technology allows our kids to be the
story, not text the story.

While fall, winter and spring are dic-
tated by schools and schedules, the sum-
mer presents an opportunity to recharge,
10 WashingtonFAMILY FEBRUARY 2019
energize and moderate the hectic life the
rest of the year demands. It’s a moment for
interacting in real time, with real people,
for real experiences.

Nicole M. Stern, Ph.D., a practicing licensed
psychologist in D.C. notes that “camp pro-
vides a cell-phone free zone, meaning no social
media, which is so freeing for these kids.”
We know that our kids live in a world that
requires them to plug in maybe more than
we would like. But, sleepaway summer camp
presents that unique opportunity to change
that part of their daily routine, even if only
for a few weeks. It provides the opportunity
to not only have fun — but to unplug — and
ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS / WAVEBREAKMEDIA
complex. Their daily
THE BENEFITS OF
SLEEPAWAY CAMP



experience new activities and adventures in
a safe and welcoming environment.

Plus, there are additional benefits.

Camp brings our children closer to nature,
and encourages social and emotional develop-
ment while encouraging independence, resil-
iency, empathy and adaptability. Alfred Adler,
a noted philosopher 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 capable.

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 relation-
ships and connect with peers and counselors
as they navigate their day. Building friend-
ships, learning empathy and caring for others
all help create a strong emotional core. Help-
ing clean the cabin, writing a camp song, pad-
dling 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 prac-
tice 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 physical
effect of growing these social skills by stat-
ing, “Bunks are good for brains … promoting
independence, confidence, friendship-build-
ing, resilience, thriving, character, 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 development.

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 extraordi-
nary gift, but a life changing experience. Chil-
dren learn to persevere when challenged by
unfamiliar experiences. They learn patience
and confidence 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, independence,
conflict resolution and team building. Under-
standing the camp philosophy, leadership and
culture is imperative in finding the right pro-
gram 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 opinions 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
According to the American Camp Association (ACA), below are
some questions to ask yourself when searching for a sleepaway
camp for your child:
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?
3. What size enrollment will make my child feel comfortable?
4. How structured do I want the program to be? Does my child like to
have lots of choice in the activity schedule?
5. What session length will appeal to my child and to our family plans
for the summer?
Questions for Camp Directors
Here are some important questions to ask camp directors before
deciding on a camp:
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?
5. How does the camp optimize opportunities for independence and
emotional growth?
6. What programs are in place to facilitate leadership skills?
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. WashingtonFAMILY.com 11