Summer Camp Builds Character

    Wait Mom! I want to see if I won anything. This was the cry of my 4 ½ year old as I was trying to rip him away from day camp at the end of the day, a little earlier than the expected dismissal time. Just as we had gathered up his backpack and craft projects for the day, his name rang from the campfire circle. He dropped my hand and raced to the front of the group. He had won a patch--- for what, I asked, he exclaimed “for respect”! The camp director had talked to me about the character education components of the camp program; respect, responsibility, trustworthiness, caring, citizenship and fairness, the six pillars of the CHARACTER COUNTS! Program, instilled in all of the camp activities. I didn’t give it much more thought after our initial meeting and the enrollment process. My child, though, had internalized it! He was so proud of the patch that he received; it was as if he were walking on a cloud. I was the proudest parent in the world, tears streamed down my face as I grabbed my son’s hand and headed for the parking lot.

    Day camp for a 4 ½ year old? Friends asked why I would consider allowing my son go to an outdoor program all day at such a young age. I have to admit I was a little apprehensive at first. Even though I have spent the majority of my adult life in the field of organized camping I was concerned about my own brood jumping into the action. What if the counselors didn’t watch him? What if he didn’t make any friends? What if someone was mean to him? All of the fears that I had eased for other parents over the years were suddenly mine. The first evening of the camp week, Michael came home and almost fell asleep in his dinner, he was exhausted but he also looked older, more mature, and somehow more independent. When his father came home from work he said the same thing. We agreed that Michael looked like he had been kissed by the sun, or maybe that was dirt? His hair was lighter and there was an unmistakable smile on his face that we hadn’t seen before. It was evident to his parents that he had gained some confidence and self reliance that just wasn’t fostered while he was in pre-school.

    Why choose day camp for your child? The camp experience is built exclusively for kids. It is a place where they feel included, capable and cared about. Staff members are inspiring guides and passionate coaches, at camp to make a difference in young people’s lives. While resident camp is a great opportunity for older children, day camp can offer an introduction to learning life skills and behaviors that become heart habits. What many of us as parents took for granted as children, playing outside on our neighborhood streets, building forts in each other’s yards, caring adult neighbors who were home during the day often isn’t available today. Day camp can replace and enhance some of those childhood rites and rituals that we long for our own children to experience. I know it will continue to be an integral part of all of my children’s growth and development over the next several years.

Michele Branconier is the mother of two boys, Michael age 5 and Thomas age 3;she is expecting her 3rd child in late March. Michele is the former Associate Vice President of Camp and Family Programs for the YMCA of Orange County and Past President of the American Camp Association, Southern California/Hawaii section. She has worked in organized camp for the last 22 years. She and her husband, Dave reside in La Quinta, California with their young children and 2 dogs.