I just talked, too briefly, to a fifteen-year-old girl who was unhappy. She was not invited to a gathering for sixteen and seventeeen-year-olds. It occurred to me to say, “There are times when I am unhappy too, but I usually realize that condition is my fault – not that of other people or circumstances.” People and environment can certainly affect happiness – they should not be allowed to determine it.

A wise old dog saw an ambitious puppy chasing his tail. “Why?” asked the old one. “Because I have studied the mysteries of life; and have found that happiness is in my tail, and when I catch it, I shall have happiness.” “I, too, have looked into the mysteries,” replied the older dog, “and I too, have found that happiness is in my tail. But when I chase it, it constantly eludes me. When I go, it follows me everywhere I go.”

Citation: Wilson, C., & Sibthorp, J. (2018). Examining the Role of Summer Camps in Developing Academic and Workplace Readiness. Journal of Youth Development, 13(1-2), 83-104.

“This research identified key learning outcomes former campers believed were learned at camp that may be applicable to academic and workplace readiness. Consistent with the outcome based literature, summer camps seem well-suited to teach relationship skills, teamwork, how to live with peers, self-confidence, organization, responsibility, independence, perseverance, career orientation, and emotion regulation. The mechanisms at camp that help support campers’ learning of these outcomes include experiential learning, camp as separate in time and space, camp schedules, counselors, communal living, safe and supportive environments, and diversity of people.”

This article focuses on the powerful impact of summer camps.  Beginning with some background about camps and their impact on Western NC, the second half of the article focuses on the life changing nature of summer camp on individuals. Stories of Mondamin and Green Cove alums are used to to highlight this. It also speaks to the relationships families have with summer camp.  It is well worth the read and you will hear from and see the faces of some folks you may recognize. Most of the photos are courtesy of Mondamin Camper/Staff Alum + Parent, Rob Giresch.

Tina Payne Bryson, Ph.D., is a parent, parenting educator, researcher, and psychotherapist. She has written many bestselling books, is an internationally sought-after speaker, and focuses on neurodevelopment.  In this interview, she shares a neurodevelopmental perspective on the power of summer camp.