Bekah (right) and her friend, Sarah, at camp.
Recent newspaper articles across the country are chronicling the down turn in summer camp registrations. Of course, camps aren’t exempt from the effects of our current economy. In fact, Camp Luther’s summer camp registrations were down about twelve percent at the end of February. (A statistic we hope turns around in the next few weeks.) A recent New York Times article entitled “Cutting Back on the Kum Ba Yah” discussed some of the changes parents and camps are making regarding summer camp. The article drew ire from camp professionals across the country as it focused on the economics without discussing the spiritual, psychological, and relational value of the summer camp experience.
So for my first post of this blog, I thought I would ask the question. Is camp worth it? Is it worth the cost, the effort to register, the travel to and from camp, working out summer schedules, the worry, the tears (the parents, not the kids), and everything else involved? Is camp worth it?
As a former camper, former counselor, former teacher, now director, now parent, I believe it is. And here’s why:
Youth make Christian friendships that may last a lifetime. The best friends of my life are those I have met through my association with Camp Luther. Some of those friendships were formed before I entered high school and remain important and valuable friendships today. There is perhaps nothing more valuable in our earthly lives than a good friend. Our children need strong Christian friends, friends who will be with them through all the difficulties life throws their way. There’s something special about the camp friendships, in fact, you may never have friends again, like the friends you made at camp.
Youth are encouraged in their faith within an atmosphere of common, shared beliefs. Being in the presences of others who share your faith can be a tremendous encouragement to anyone. For young people in particular, who are constantly being pressured to deny their faith through public school, media and other influences, camp allows them to see that they are not alone. There are hundreds of other youth who face the same struggles and challenges they do. And if other youth are hanging in there, maybe they can too.
Youth are challenged. Let’s face it, there are very few things left in our everyday lives to challenge our children. Camp can provide challenges that children may not get anywhere else. Challenges like paddling a canoe, hiking at night, camping out under the stars, cooking over an open fire (or you don’t eat), being away from home, getting along with other campers can have a huge impact on a life. God can use challenges to mold and shape us physically, mentally and spiritually. Not every challenge will end in success, but every challenge will provide an opportunity to grow.
Youth are exposed to Christian role models. For most kids, their parents are the top role model in their lives. But, there comes a time when youth start to look to others, typically young adults. The young adults that have shaped the lives of my children have been their counselors at camp - people with funny nicknames like Amax, Tink, and Smeags. These young adults have inspired our children, Andrew and Bekah, and helped them find confidence in their identity as young men and women of God. As a parent, I thank God for the influence of Camp Luther counselors.
Tags: campers, counselors, Summer Camp