We know that our children feel the many pressures of being a child, especially a girl, in the world we live in today. They are accomplished and driven yet often lack confidence in themselves. They are constantly connected to peers through social media, yet they report feeling a lack of close, authentic friendships. They have many interests yet often rely upon structures set for them or decisions that are made for them in order to take a risk or try something outside their comfort zones. As parents, we want to provide them with the tools they need to be confident, connected, independent, strong, and happy- now and in their future.
The type of experience a traditional overnight camp gives children is more important now than ever before. What I mean by a traditional camp is the type of camp where kids are out in nature for most of their day, where they participate in many activities rather than one or two special focus areas, where they do not use phones or computers or other devices, where they can be themselves and life is carefree.
You may have heard of the book The Anxious Generation by Jon Haidt. Many parents, educators, and other youth program leaders are embracing this research-based book which basically shows how technology advances -- particularly smart phones and social media -- combined with the overriding parenting approach of protectiveness and the scheduling of childhood has produced children who are increasingly struggling with anxiety, depression, and a lack of confidence.
Jon Haidt himself notes that traditional summer camp may be the most effective way to restore a playful, real-world childhood.
At a traditional overnight camp, kids are developing a stronger sense of confidence, they become authentically connected to friends, they learn to make their own decisions and manage their own disappointments and challenges, they are more independent and also more able to find their place in a group. They are strong, empathetic, and they are filled with joy.
These characteristics are developing because of the environment of camp:
- They are away from their parents or guardians who make most of their decisions and plans for them
- Camps provide elements of choice and new, novel activities so kids learn to trust themselves and try new things
- They will face obstacles -- perhaps they find they are not very good at something they try for the first time, like archery or sailing, or they feel homesick, or they don’t particularly like another kid in their cabin
- They will find that they can face these obstacles, learn, grow, and overcome them. They get better at that activity, or they don’t and they figure out they don’t have to be good at everything and can still have fun. Their homesickness fades, and they become friends with so many people who they often wouldn’t be friends with in different situations. They learn to live with people they like and people they may not like. They learn they can solve their own problems.
- And when kids learn that they can overcome obstacles, they experience a true sense of accomplishment and grow their resiliency for facing the next hard thing
- They aren’t on their phones -- no one is on their phones, peers or adults -- so everyone connects through face-to-face interactions. There’s less pressure. There’s more laughter. There’s more community.
- And probably most importantly, they have great role models in their counselors. Campers look up to their counselors, these college aged young adults they spend their days with. They are cool in ways we aren’t cool as parents. They are like a cool older cousin and kids want their attention and approval and give them their trust.
- The counselors aren't just cool and know how to make things fun -- they are highly trained. They know how to recognize and respond to an emergency situation. They know how to subtly redirect a situation that is heading towards harmful. They know when to allow kids to handle their own conflicts and when and how to step in to help. They are making sure everyone is safe physically and emotionally. But they are also what the kids see -- fun and funny, cool and confident, supportive and inspiring.
Fleur de Lis Camp is a traditional sleepaway summer camp for girls ages 8 to 15, located on the shores of Laurel Lake in Fitzwilliam, NH. For 95 years, girls have made new friends, developed self-confidence and independence, and tried new things, all while having fun and being a part of a caring community. Joy, Belonging, and Friendship are at the heart of our camp community. In everything they do, girls can be their truest selves without the pressures, expectations, and technology demands that are often a part of their school year. Come join us to swim and boat on our beautiful lake, get creative in our many art programs, and expand skills in our extensive land sports, archery, horseback riding, ceramics, paddleboarding, stained glass and much more. Every day is filled with laughter, connectedness, and personal growth.
Camp Fleur de Lis
120 Howeville rd
Fitzwilliam NH 03447
603-585-7751
Website | Email | Facebook | Instagram
