How Camp Offers Kids Life Skills, Lessons Beyond the Summer

By Daniel Weatherby, Associate Director

I moved off to college about four hours away from my hometown following graduation. One of the first things I noticed was the many ways my university peers were handling this transition. Many of them transitioned really well and were enjoying this new-found responsibility and freedom that this university chapter was providing. Some called home daily and traveled home on the weekends, and while this isn’t a problem (we encourage our college age summer staff to call home on their time off), they didn’t seem to be enjoying their time or taking this as an opportunity.

The difference was pointed out to me by a friend as we were spending a Saturday morning walking through campus. 

“Did you go to camp?” he asked.

“Well, yes!”

This was just one of the many gifts I received from summer camp while I was growing up. I got experience being away from home, forging friendships, learning how to utilize the resources of caring mentors to provide for things I needed, and knowing I can do hard things. 

Now, as a summer camp director, I speak with many parents about the benefits of a summer camp experience. Following their son’s sessions, we ask each parent to fill out an evaluation. Almost every parent (around 90%) report that their sons grew in one or more of the following areas: self confidence, independence, leadership ability, and character (being an active member of their community).

There’s not much secret to why parents consistently have this feedback for us – it’s by design!

Camp is a safe place for boys to learn these skills because of the way it is set up. They know, going into this experience, the counselors and staff have been specially selected, hired, and trained to be life-giving mentors. They know that even if it’s their first time at camp, there will be friends to meet. They know there are activities to do each day, and that (even if they don’t know what it will be) there are ways to customize their experience – skill selection, what to do during less structured times, etc.

Campers are encouraged to try new activities, and they’re very specifically told that it’s OK to fail!

The counselors are specifically trained to process the experience with their cabins (around 8 campers) every day, checking in with each of them to make sure they are integrating well at camp. They even ask two questions to each of their campers every day: Are you feeling strong? Are you having fun?

Even the years when I was more homesick than other years had a deep, positive impact on my life. I participated in self-discovery and had incredible support from my counselors, and the friends I was making and have to this day.

One thing that makes Camp Rockmont different (aside from the exceptional staff we hire) is Age Progressive Programming. As your son grows, so will his camp experience. Skills become more advanced, activities grow to be more expansive, campouts add elements of wildness – and his phenomenal counselors and staff are along the journey with him every step of the way!

Even if you don’t choose Rockmont, we truly hope you choose to send your child to camp somewhere. Camp has a powerful way of shaping lives long after the summer has ended!

As you’re evaluating camp opportunities for your child or children, do not hesitate to reach out to the directors of that summer camp to begin a dialogue about what makes the camp unique! We consider our work to be a partnership with the parents who send their sons to Rockmont.