Part 2 Benefits of Summer Camp: Through a GRP Lens
How Does Attending Summer Camp Benefit Your Child? A 3-part series through a GRP lens highlighting positive impacts that we have seen within our camp community and how these experiences may benefit your camper!
When someone says “summer camp,” what is your initial thought?
Perhaps you picture your own summer camp memories, or crafts and field games. Maybe you think of friendship and campfires. I would not be surprised if a song or chant comes to mind!
This blog series will highlight perspectives and ideas that may deepen your understanding of summer camp and inspire you to recognize the full potential of this opportunity for your child.
What Does Non-Competitive Really Mean?
In non-competitive summer camp environments, kids have the ability to be present and enjoy the process. When focused on competing, kids may experience the pressure to be perfect because they only care about the outcome - winning or losing.
While competition may promote positive growth in discipline or teamwork, we tend to take a different approach at summer camps like Green River Preserve.
We aim to teach our campers valuable life skills. From learning to identify wild plants and animals to soft skill development in patience or leadership, being non-competitive allows our campers to hone in on specific strengths and interests that inspire them. At GRP, campers learn about challenge by choice. This practice is adopted in many non-competitive environments and establishes a culture where campers have a choice in their level of participation. For example, if campers visit the cave on our property during a Mentor Hike, some may challenge themselves to step inside the entrance, while others may challenge themselves to explore a little deeper. Challenge by choice gives campers the opportunity to choose how far they push themselves, when they want to try something new, what they want to improve on, where they are most comfortable, or who they want to be. By focusing on teaching and learning new skills, instead of winning or losing, we enjoy the process and build trust along the way.
At Green River Preserve, we offer many activities and programs you may find at other summer camps. What sets us apart are the intentional programs and curriculum specific to GRP that we have practiced and perfected over the last 35+ summers.
CampOut is a highlight of summers on the Preserve. Two- and three-week campers embark on a two-night, three-day backpacking trip on our own private 3,400 acres! CampOut as a whole consists of more than just backpacking. Whispers of CampOut start to fill Cabinville the first few days of camp. Whether it is a camper’s first time backpacking or not, they may start to experience some anxiety leading up to such a big adventure. This cornerstone of GRP is a perfect example of our non-competitive culture and the opportunity for campers to realize their full potential through low, calculated risks that result in high rewards!
After about a week of camp, we start to see friendships blooming and connections being made; when cabin groups return from CampOut, their bonds seem unbreakable. The idea that they all tackled a major challenge together and each person’s experience is honored and valid is one of the remarkable things about CampOut. The high level of support given to campers by our Leadership Team, Counselors, and Mentors during this pivotal program of GRP is one way we help lower anxiety. When we brief campers to prepare them for CampOut, we often focus on the individual experience, while teaching them to work together and support one another.
Anxiety shows up in different ways for different people, but no matter what it looks or feels like for you or your child, learning to navigate it can be tough. This beginner-friendly backpacking program is one of the ways we practice what we preach as an organization; it is a large part of what makes GRP, well, GRP. CampOut allows campers to develop and practice coping skills, build relationships rooted in trust, and realize their full potential when it comes to hard things. We can do hard things!
Another unique program to Green River Preserve is our Group Learning Projects, or as we like to call them - GLPs. Again, like CampOut for our two- and three-week sessions, we shake up the daily camp schedule every once in a while with a special program or GLP day! There are a few popular GLPs that we almost always offer like spending the day at the Farm, painting the buses, or visiting the Carl Sandburg house in Flat Rock. Our summer staff are given the creative freedom to come up with and pitch their ideas for GLPs to campers a few days in advance. Campers rank their top picks, and staff get to work sorting and assigning campers to their groups. With new, diverse staff every summer, we see all types of creative opportunities for campers to discover new talents and interests! By giving campers autonomy when it comes to GLPs, they are able to use their voice and choose their own adventure. When campers are an active part of the decision making for themselves, they show up more engaged and ready to face the challenges that may be presented to them. Group Learning Projects are a way for campers to challenge themselves to try something new, or hone in on a skill or interest, without the pressure of competition. These focused days are intentional and teach us to take our time, be present in new experiences, and enjoy the process.
Goal setting, emotional maturity, respect, and self-reliance are just a few of the positive outcomes we see in our non-competitive environment and programming rooted in challenge by choice. Instead of being attached to a punctuated outcome and being disappointed if it’s not what they want or expect, children learn how to be an active participant in creating the outcome they desire. Some camps choose to end sessions with awards or badges - maybe even superlatives, but we recognize accomplishments within our community in sustainable ways that are symbolic to our programs and culture. Though non-competitive, many achievements at GRP are celebrated. We have cherished traditions that are associated with milestones that you and your camper will have to discover for yourselves! Our camper community is made up of lots of different types of kiddos. If you’re looking for a camp that fosters independence, emotional growth, and self-discovery, Green River Preserve is the perfect place for your child to thrive.