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Finding Beauty in an Ashtray
"What
is it?" asked my cabin leader, gently. We both eyed my clay creation as
it emerged from the camp kiln, glazed and cooled. I was 12, so I hadn't
made a something; I'd made an anything. It had just been fun to pinch
and push the clay for our hour-long arts and crafts period. Now came
the hard part: I needed to identify my project.
"Hmm..." I thought out loud.
Finally, my cabin leader said confidently, "Oh, I see. It's an ashtray."
And
there it was. The year was 1980, so it was still permissible to make an
ashtray. Today, the same object would clearly be a politically correct
candy dish or a heart-healthy, hypoallergenic soy nut dish. In any
case, it was what it was and there it was. Like most arts-and-crafts
projects at camp, it was, more than anything else, an expressive
snapshot of my thoughts, feelings, and actions at the time of creation.
It was simple and personal. Which is probably why it still sits (sans
ashes) on my mother's writing desk.
Volumes are written about
what makes art art and what differentiates art from craft, so instead
of writing an essay on aesthetics, I just want to share why I think
arts and crafts at camp are so meaningful. In my mind, anything
creative and pleasing to the senses can be art. Crafts, on the other
hand, are construction skills, often learned through apprenticeship.
Naturally, arts and crafts go hand-in-hand. Michelangelo used the craft
of stone carving to create pieces of art like David. At camp,
children learn crafts such as weaving and woodworking to create pieces
of art such as baskets and birdhouses. To what end?
Contemporary
conceptualizations of the human mind include the idea of multiple
intelligences. (Interested readers can find books by Howard Gardner and
Robert Sternberg.) Simply put, we have different domains of cognitive
strength-such as mathematical, social, verbal, artistic-and those
domains compliment each other. So combining some athletic and social
activities at camp with some arts-and-crafts actually feeds kids'
brains. It's kind of like intellectual cross-training. The trouble with
some camp arts-and-crafts programs is they are either marginalized or
mechanized.
Marginalization occurs when the leadership at
camp fails to create an atmosphere where art is valued. Arts-and-crafts
become an "uncool" program activity and few campers attend the lame
periods that are offered. The campers who do participate are labeled in
ways that suggest they must not be athletic, adventuresome, or
heterosexual.
Mechanization occurs when the leadership at
camp relies on kits rather than creativity. Arts-and-crafts devolves
into campers purchasing nearly-assembled moccasins, birdhouses,
wallets, etc. The activity periods-if you want to call them
that-involve very little activity besides counselors explaining to kids
how to interpret the kit's assembly directions. Creative juices dry up
along with the seed for self-esteem: a genuine sense of accomplishment.
At the best camps, arts-and-crafts programs flourish because
the leadership recognizes the value of a balanced program of
activities-something that includes athletics, adventure, and
art. Equally important, these programs flourish because campers are
challenged to refine their crafty skills, solve problems, and create
new works. The brains and souls of these children are nourished and the
camp staff becomes actively involved in their mission: to nurture
positive youth development. And as an added bonus, some lucky parents
and grandparents may get an ashtray-I mean paperweight-on closing day.
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Beyond the Symbols and Behind the Secrets
The first camp directors were iconoclasts, a
description that seems rather un-spiritual. But nothing could be
further from the truth. Instead of shying away from the spiritual
aspects of the camp experience, they embraced the beauty of rustic
settings, the simplicity of living in nature with minimal technology,
and the fellowship that inevitably developed. No surprise then that the
first camp directors also inserted daily Bible study in their programs.
Religious practices fit the mood. The first camp directors-like many of
their contemporaries-were iconoclasts not because they were breaking
religious tradition, but because they were progressive educators who
saw camp as a vibrant complement to the classroom. Today, spiritual and
religious aspects of the camp experience are as important and alive as
they ever were. For many campers and staff, spiritual growth is the
true heart of camping.
Recent research by the American Camp Association (ACA Education pdf - ACA Education Page - View the Final Results)
suggests that children who attend religious camps evidence more
spiritual growth than the average camper at a nonreligious camp. That
makes sense. Well designed, intentional camp programming often produces
the desired outcomes. Families looking for spiritual growth of a
particular sort (Christian, Jewish, Muslim, etc.) should carefully
select a camp whose mission and programming match their goals and
values. Indeed, there are many wonderful religious camps from which to
choose. But here I'd like to focus on the kind of spiritual growth that
transcends a particular religion or denomination. What is it about camp
that promotes spirituality? How can families look beyond the Crosses,
or Stars of David, or Crescents and learn the secret to what makes a
camp spiritual?
I believe that at least four factors
contribute to a deeply spiritual experience at camp: sharing,
reflection, natural beauty, and a connection with the past. After I
describe my understanding of each of these elements, I'll offer tips on
what to look for as you refine your camp search.
Sharing:
Your children learned how to do this in preschool, but how well do they
share now? When is the last time they invited an unpopular kid to their
birthday party or gave some really good toys and clothes to charity? At
deeply spiritual camps, sharing goes beyond letting someone else use
your stuff. It includes reaching out to share yourself-your time, your
skills, your smile-with others. It involves cultivating the ability to
detect who is most in need. It also involves disclosure. Sharing some
of your thoughts and feelings with others is the fastest, surest way to
form close relationships. And relationships, with other people, with
nature, and even with a higher power, fuel our spiritual life.
Evidence of sharing at camp may include:
- Daily, secular vespers services, where staff share enlightening life experiences with campers and fellow staff
- Programmed
time (i.e., time deliberately set aside) for campers to discuss the
day's events and exchange feedback about their interactions
- Staff
whose priority is spending time with children-time that includes
listening to children's own experiences and learning what's most
important to them
- Frequent encouragement to include all campers in activities, regardless of their abilities or backgrounds
Reflection:
The pace of life sometimes eclipses opportunities to reflect. Like
their parents, children have become accustomed to being overscheduled;
to rushing from one activity to another. They watch films, television,
and play video games at a frenetic pace. And many live in noisy urban
settings that don't lend themselves to quiet contemplation. Recent
research highlights the detrimental physical and mental health effects
of stress and emphasizes the importance of simply knowing how to relax,
reflect, and make sense of our lives. At spiritual camps, there is not
only ample opportunity for reflection; there is also staff that set a
good example of living a balanced life with a healthy pace.
Evidence of opportunities for reflection at camp may include:
- Programs in meditation, yoga, or what is generally referred to as "wellness"
- Nature paths that are accessible to campers during free time
- Activity offerings such as hiking and nature education that help children feel connected to beautiful natural surroundings
- A scheduled, daily rest hour that staff and campers use for resting, writing letters, or journaling
Natural Beauty:
Many of the most transcendent spiritual experiences people have are a
direct function of their environment. For some children and adults,
this can only mean the interior of a religious building. But for many
others, it's as simple as living among trees, flowers, birds, and other
wildlife; as bracing as living with dramatic changes in the weather;
and as liberating as taking a break from most electronic technology.
Evidence of an emphasis on natural beauty at camp may include:
- A well-maintained but rustic property, with minimal paving and maximum foliage
- The absence of distracting electronic technologies, such as cell phones, video games, and computers
- An
emphasis on people power to maintain and navigate the natural world,
including campers' participation in daily chores to help maintain
property, and a prohibition against cars and golf carts on camp grounds
- Environmentally friendly practices, such as recycling and wildlife preservation
Connection with the Past:
Any organization labels current practices "traditional," even if they
started last year. But at camps, the enduring traditions are those that
meaningfully connect current practices to past experiences. Those are
the true spiritual traditions. Some camps in the United States and
Canada have been in continuous operation for more than 100 years;
others have been around for only a few decades. At spiritual camps,
both young and old, the emphasis on founding principles or customs adds
meaning and value to an otherwise prosaic routine.
Evidence of connections with the past at camp may include:
- Celebration
of native peoples and ancient practices. These are not religious
events; rather, they are ceremonies such as Woodcraft, the creation of
Canadian-American naturalist Earnest Thompson Seton. Woodcraft is an
example of one way to educate children about American Indian philosophy
and history
- Camp histories, both oral and written.
Documenting history is an important way for a camp to learn and grow.
It also makes campers and staff appreciate that they are part of
something larger than themselves; a deeply spiritual realization
- Decorating
camp buildings with archival material, such as old camp photos and
memorabilia. When campers can see boys and girls who came before them,
their sense of responsibility and belonging to camp greatly increases
What
are the benefits of these and other spiritual components at camp? There
are many, of course, including a stronger sense of community, healthier
campers and staff, and more meaningful relationships. Spiritual growth
at camp also forges loyalty, which keeps campers and staff returning
year after year. And perhaps nothing bolsters a camp's power to achieve
its stated mission more than a lasting devotion. The secret, then,
about spirituality and camp is that, for millions of people, spirituality is camp.
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Physical Preparation for Summer Camp
Once
you and your children have chosen a camp that matches their interests
and abilities, a crucial next step is getting ready physically.
Following the guidelines below will help ensure a healthy, happy
experience.
1.
Camps are physically active places, even for differently-abled campers.
Engaging in some pre-camp fun and physical activities will help your
children get the most out of the summer ahead. If your children do not
participate in organized sports, then go on some hikes together, join a
pick-up game of basketball, play catch in the back yard, or frequent
the municipal swimming pool. Anything you can do to help your children
gear up to the physicality of the camp experience will be of great
benefit once camp starts.
2. If you have explored a preparatory resource such as The Summer Camp Handbook,
then you have familiarized yourself with the camp's activities. Either
way, you should gain a good sense of the physical demands of your
chosen camp. Now is the perfect time to take your children for a
physical exam or other health evaluations. Speak to your health care
provider about the camp's various activities and verify that they are
fit and ready to take part in activities. You might ask questions such
as:
- Does he need new glasses or sports glasses?
- Is the leg she injured this winter ready for mountain hikes?
- What can we do to prevent another bout of swimmer's ear?
If
your child has a chronic medical condition, such as asthma or an
allergy, your conversation with a health care provider takes on added
importance. Discuss with your child:
- restrictions or modifications to activities
- ongoing treatments or preventive measures, such as carrying a rescue inhaler or avoiding certain foods
Your
goal is to make your children as self-reliant as possible, so that they
can participate in the fullest range of activities.
3.
It is essential that you complete and return the camp's health form,
and write a supplement that describes all of your child's emotional or
physical needs. At times, parents are reluctant to be candid on the
camp's health form because they are concerned about:
- the information not being kept confidential
- the camp staff unfairly discriminating against their child
Some parents are unaware of the importance of detailed health forms to camp staff who act as summer surrogate parents.
High
quality camps will treat any personal information about your children
with great discretion, informing only those persons who need to know
(e.g., the camp nurse and your child's counselors); no high quality
camp will label your children or discriminate against them. So please
inform the camp if one or more of your children take medication, have a
history of emotional or behavioral problems, was recently hospitalized,
or responds best to a certain kind of treatment.
Simply put:
Don't make the camp staff try to figure out what may have taken you
years to understand about your children. Instead, give the staff the
advantage of your parental insights and experience. This puts them in
the best possible position to offer support.
Although a
cornerstone of the camping experience-day or resident-is the absence of
parents, in no way does it involve the absence of camp caregivers.
Quite the contrary: High quality camping experiences require a trusting
partnership between parents and the camp staff. For more information
about physical and medical preparation for camp, pick up a copy of The Summer Camp Handbook.
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Fewer choices about which camp to attend are more important than this
one. At the same time, every family must realize that there are virtues
to both single-sex and coed camps. The choice should depend on which
virtues are most important to you and your child this summer.
"We live in a coed world," one camp director astutely pointed out to me
at a recent camping conference. "Kids should attend coed camps so they
can prepare themselves for that world." At a high quality coed camp,
boys and girls may learn interpersonal skills that depart in healthy
ways from the gender-role stereotypes they may have learned at school
or elsewhere. Boys have an opportunity to see girls as leaders and
athletes; girls see boys in nurturing, expressive roles. At a poor
quality coed camp, flirtation and flaunting overshadow and undermine
opportunities for respectful relationships and genuine growth.
Therefore, the special responsibility of the staff at any coed camp is
to model the kinds of non-romantic, polite, genuine male-female
interactions they want campers to adopt.
"We live in a coed world," a different camp director astutely replied
at the same camping conference. "Kids should attend a single-sex camp
so they experience something different and uniquely supportive." At a
high quality single-sex camp, boys and girls see balanced role models
and largely avoid romantic distractions. Boys interact with men who are
both strong and compassionate, assertive and attentive. Girls interact
with women who are both tenacious and tender, confident and caring. At
a single-sex camp, boys and girls can not only be themselves, they can
be their whole selves and reenter the coed world with renewed
confidence and empathy. High quality single-sex camps nurture that
which is stereotypically feminine and stereotypically
masculine, and they do it in an environment where boys and girls feel
an enhanced sense of emotional safety. At a poor quality single-sex
camp, staff model only those behaviors stereotypical of one sex,
sometimes even in an exaggerated, unhealthy way. Bravado and machismo
reign at such boys' camps; gossip and diffidence at such girls' camps.
Ultimately,
the search for a high quality camp eclipses the choice of single-sex
vs. coed. But before beginning this search, or evaluating the quality
of your child's current camp, consider what it is your child needs
most. Is it additional practice with wholesome coed situations or a
place to rediscover their own identity as a boy or girl?
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Every
camp has a dress code. It's just that at some camps, it's more
formalized than at others. I applaud those camps with a written dress
code, such as plain blue shorts and white T-shirts, because established
codes equalize social standing, avert materialistic conversations,
eliminate stress about what to wear, and allow campers to focus on
what's important, such as making new friends and trying new activities.
I also applaud camps where the staff discourage materialism in all its
forms, including obsession with certain brands of clothing. Either
model works to keep the focus on the experience, not the appearance, of
camp.
Sadly,
many camps have an unwritten dress code, where name brands rule and a
predictable textile-based pecking order is quickly established. Such
superficial differences in social standing bring out the worst in
children. Add staff reinforcement to the mix, and such informal fashion
standards become a recipe for a self-perpetuating, elitist, classist,
and, in some cases, sexist culture. Exactly the opposite of what a high
quality camp experience is engineered to be.
To
solve this perennial peacock problem, parents and camp staff must work
together to establish a culture with which everyone is comfortable and
no one is left out, regardless of socioeconomic status. Either the camp
makes a decision to implement a uniform dress code, or all the adults
agree to deemphasize fashion, promote practical garb, forbid
provocative styles of dress, and discourage branded clothes that are
little more than advertisements. This kind of cultural shift requires
clear communication, careful planning, and even more careful packing.
At
camps where the guidelines are clearly stated in pre-camp registration
materials, and where parents and camp staff work together to advocate
for sensible attire, great success has been achieved in the space of a
few summers. Camps that had problems with cliques no longer do. Parents
who were once deluged with letters demanding care packages with this or
that brand of clothing no longer are. And campers who were once defined
by their clothing and accessories are now defined by the way they treat
others.
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Treating Homesickness at Camps 
