This post is sponsored by YMCA Camp Cullen. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This past Sunday we dropped Jayden and Jimmy off at YMCA Camp Cullen. Their first week of camp has finally come! After weeks of research to find the best camp and then all the packing and organizing… They are at Camp! And I know that they are having the time of their lives!
As we drove home from dropping my boys off at camp, I couldn’t help but think of the time I spent at camp during my childhood and teen years. Those weeks are some of my favorite memories of my childhood and looking back on them, I realize I learned so much about myself and grew so much as a person.
The lessons I learned at camp truly have stayed with me my entire life.
These are 5 Things I learned at camp and hope my children do too.
Independence
This is their first week without us. No parents. No one over their shoulder. Of course, they have supervision from counselors and camp staff, but they are able to really make decisions for themselves for an entire week.
They also don’t have us there to comfort them, encourage & cheer them on. They are with all new people and have to discover their environment on their own.
Confidence
From independence comes confidence. I hope they discover a new level of confidence in their abilities, their uniqueness and who they are as a person.
Camp is a great place to find confidence in your voice, in your strength and in who you are at your core.
Leadership
Camp provided me with ample opportunities to learn about leadership. First, I saw my counselors leading their cabins and creating community and friendship amongst my fellow campers. They were inspiring and I looked up to them as they weren’t too much older than I was.
And second, I was given opportunities to lead. Leading a cabin cheer, acting as team leader for a game or activity, participating in a group game… All opportunities to step away from my comfort zone and see what it means to lead and be a leader.
Spirit of Adventure
While I was not as surrounded by electronics as my children are, camp did give me the itch for adventure and exploration when removed from my comfort zone.
Being immersed in nature with no access to internet, video games, social media, and the constant blue screens, really breaks you away and forces your mind to find entertainment in new ways.
Hiking, zip lines, giant slides into the lake, paddle boarding…. all a part of the adventure that camp brings.
There is such a rush of adrenaline and excitement when you are trying something new, testing your limits, and have no distractions to keep you from experiencing all of your senses at once.
I hope that my boys gain a spirit of adventure from their week at camp. I can’t wait to take them on a hike or explore a new place with their new outlook.
Teamwork
YMCA Camp Cullen does an amazing job at creating team spirit and encouraging teamwork. Every camper is sorted into houses on their first night at camp and from that moment on, those campers will continue to be in that house every year of camp. It feels straight out of a Harry Potter Movie!
The life lesson of teamwork is so vital. If you can learn to participate, cheer, motivate, and join together with strangers for a week, you will be able to apply those same skills to your job in the future.
There is a serious lack of a team spirit in our communities and workplaces. I hope my children don’t loose that teamwork spirit and remember that they all win when we work together.
I am so excited to hear all about their week at YMCA Camp Cullen! I know that they are going to come back with blonder hair, a darker tan, and full of stories & memories. But I am most excited to see the impact that YMCA Camp Cullen made on them and the lessons they learned about themselves, who they are, and who they are capable of being.
Did you attend summer camp? Did it make an impact on your life?
Ps. There is still time to get your child signed up for a week of camp at YMCA Camp Cullen! Go to their website and register today!
Brittany Putman says
Camp is such a fun part of summer when you are a kid! I can’t wait to see the memories that my kids will make a t camp.
Liz Mays says
I really like that the kids can learn such valuable lessons at camp. Those summer camp days must make for some great memories too!
Kathy says
I never attended a summer camp, but I did go to camp for a few days. I learned a lot while in those short days too. I think it’s great for kids to go to camp.
Sherry says
I never got the chance to go to summer camp. It would have been so much fun. Summer camp can be a great stepping stone.
Catalina says
I was thinking for a camp for my kid. I think it’s too early for him but I will consider it next year!
Celebrate Woman Today says
These camps can teach us a lot. The thing is that living outside your own home for an extended period of time brings a lot of fears within each of us. But with proper support from the camp staff and peers, the kids can overcome these fears.
Heather says
This is a great read! Thanks for sharing this info!
Ruth I says
There is so much great things to learn from camp. I like what you said about independence and confidence. It makes you a better and more developed person afterwards.
Dawn Nieves says
Camp is such an exciting experience. Kids can learn so much from being a part of a wonderful camp like this