Using This Summer's Camp Experience To Inspire Next Year's

by Peg L. Smith

Fall is a time of gathering together, a time that offers a distinctly different air of renewal and attention to work. As it turns out, the work of our children is growth-intellectual, spiritual, and physical. And it only takes our close and daily observations to note the tremendous energy they devote to their studies, their activities in sports or the arts, their religious communities, and their friendships. At times, their tirelessness is daunting-as they pursue so many paths for the first time or deepen their knowledge and participation in their burgeoning interests. It's a season of firsts, too-bus rides, new teachers, and friends, and new challenges that are spoken and unspoken every single day. And it's a time when parents are called upon to keep the confidence level up, to encourage, and to work alongside their children.

If your child had the opportunity to experience camp last summer, then you will, no doubt, hear echoes of those moments through these days-new confidence, friendships, and memories that strengthen them as we all find ourselves, even our children, wishing for more time. Preserving those milestones of growth and recalling those experiences is a great way to shore up a child's reservoir of positive memory. Staying in touch with their camp friends and staff is another way to ensure that the gains made over the summer make a lasting impact and help your child sustain a positive attitude and high enthusiasm about what's ahead.

I remember vividly when I realized that my own son Dayton had learned incredibly valuable life lessons at camp while playing, of all things, extreme Frisbee-lessons in enthusiasm and cooperation-friends cheering friends on, everyone pushing their physical limits, everyone sharing laughter and effort and exhaustion-and how this camp experience translated into an awareness that he could apply this same passion and teamwork to his school sports or academics. Recognizing the real transformative moments that occur each step of the way and realigning my role as 'Mom' with this growing and developing young man are great challenges for a parent-but experiencing the growing adult in your child is truly one of a parent's greatest joys. To share the exhilarating moments of discovery and growth is something to celebrate-not to mourn. Judging the right situations, the right level of support, the right level of competitiveness and reward-yet capturing the overwhelming moments of sheer joy and energy, too, is unforgettable. It's all part of that delicate, almost magic-like balance we perform as parents-being invisible and visible at the same moment.

In the next few months, your family will likely savor that 'just imagine' time about what is around the corner and what the next summer might be like. Including camp in your plans is a perfect way to recognize the new and developing interests that make your child's growth so exciting. This fall, like every other, I'm always alert to changes and new enthusiasms expressed in our household-new names, new activities-even new music. Talking with your child about how to make these permanent memories is what planning for camp is all about.

Peg L. Smith is the CEO of the American Camp Association and has twenty-six years of experience working with children, youth, and families. The American Camp Association is the only national association that accredits camps. With up to 300 safety and regulation standards, ACA promotes a safe and fun camp experience with developmental benefits backed by independent research. To learn more about the American Camp Association, please visit www.CampParents.org or www.ACAcamps.org.