We found ourselves in an interesting realization this fall. It began with the heart-pounding moment of dropping our oldest off at college. Our emotions were filled with a mix of excitement and anxiety. We left him out of his comfort of home, forced to adapt to a new environment, make new friends, and find his way without his usual parental safety net. This felt hard.
The mixed set of emotions we both felt led us to a constant conversation about the many similarities between camp and college. It reminded us that we prepared him for this change in giving him the opportunity to experience being off on his own at summer camp. We realized that camp and college are both experiences that mark a significant transition in a child’s life, complete with excitement, challenges, and most importantly a lot of personal growth.
As Iain and I look back on the past few months and the start of Harrison’s college journey, we are struck by how his time at Camp has been instrumental and invaluable. There is a compelling parallel between summer camp and college, emphasizing how both experiences facilitate personal development and independence.
Key points include:
- Emotional Transition: Dropping off Harrison at college evoked excitement and anxiety, marking a significant life change.
- Preparation through Camp: His/our time at Twin Creeks serves as a foundational experience, teaching social skills, independence, and conflict resolution in a supportive environment.
- Growth Opportunities: Both camp and college involve stepping out of comfort zones, fostering resilience, and developing crucial life skills.
- Community Building: Both settings emphasize community and friendship, helping individuals navigate new social landscapes while building confidence.
- Practical Life Skills: Experiences at both camp and college teach essential life skills, from daily tasks like laundry to financial management and interpersonal relationships.
Camp and college provide children with a chance to grow and learn practical skills that will serve them well in adulthood, and the independence gained from these experiences is invaluable. Whether it’s making your own bed at camp or doing laundry for the first time in a dorm, both environments offer hands-on life lessons. You may start by navigating a ropes course challenge with your cabin mates at camp but soon find yourself figuring out how to manage your budget or handle a difficult roommate. Each challenge at camp and at college is an opportunity to learn and grow.While both college and camp emphasize independence, they also foster a sense of community. At camp, you’re part of a cabin, with old friends and new; at college, you have roommates and classmates, all sharing the same experience of being away from home. All while finding mutually supportive relationships and gaining confidence.
In summary, we feel families with young children can hopefully appreciate the gift and investment that time spent at overnight summer camp represents. As our children grow older the returns and benefits manifest differently and no less significantly.
