It is hard to believe we are almost finished with our first week of camp. This is the time in the season when the true characteristics of a camper emerge, friendships form, and it is easy to observe the connections that take place in a bunk.
It is no different from when you are placed in a social situation for a first time. You exchange pleasantries, there is a fair amount of superficial talk, and you quickly gravitate to individuals with who you feel a connection. For a new camper, this unchartered territory puts a child on his “best behavior.” It takes a good part of the first week for a child to revert back into his natural personality.
On many levels, it can take this long into the season until we notice a child’s personality, sense of humor, adaptability, and flexibility. For some, this transition is smooth and seamless, but for others it is a little more challenging to pick up on social cues and make connections. The beauty of the resident camp experience is that it forces a child, in an age-appropriate way, to coexist with his peers.
I often think we don’t give children enough credit for acclimating so well away from their most comfortable environment, their homes. I would imagine if you found yourself in a bunk living with eight other adults for seven weeks, you would probably want to kill each other. I mention this to my staff at this time in the season, so they can have a greater appreciation for what our younger campers are going through during the first week of camp. While my staff has the opportunity to check in with loved ones, watch TV in the evening, grab a snack in the counselor lounge, our boys are adapting to a more simple way of life. hey have to rely on the art of communication, tolerance, compassion, and teamwork.
I can appreciate that you run to your mailbox in hopes of a letter that will provide some golden nuggets about your son’s experience, and that you wait for our daily pictures to be posted for a glimpse into your son’s experience at Camp Takajo– a place where we all look out for one another, where we value the importance of inclusion. Within one week’s time, this community is becoming a family.
