Today we picked up my son from two weeks of summer camp. For two weeks he got to spend time with other boys, doing things boys like to do. I am convinced we have never made a better investment.
About two weeks ago, we dropped our oldest off at camp. This camp has been around since 1929, and is under the same corporate umbrella as the conference center where I work. I know the folks that run this place and trust them completely. These guys know camp, love camp and live camp. Their commitment is to make camp a safe, but adventurous place, where boys can be boys, skills learned, relationships developed, fun can be had and each camper can go away having strengthened their relationship with God.
I am a firm believer in camp. As a child and teenager I never attended traditional summer camp. I went to soccer camp and then church camp, but never had the privilege of going to a traditional summer camp with canoeing, archery, camp outs, bonfires and other basics from most camp programs. While in college, I worked at a boys' camp that had many of these elements and I saw the "power" of camp. Take people away from every day distractions, put them in a position where they do new or different activities, provide them with a staff of energetic and young staff members, and great things can happen.
While sitting in the closing ceremony at Camp Ridgecrest for Boys today, I was reminded of how fantastic camp can be. Sure there are silly songs, some facilities are rustic and there is often the obligatory crying at the end. The staff led a song that has been used since the 1930s at Ridgecrest. Each tribe did their own cheer/chant and song. Which to be honest, the staff seemed to enjoy more than the campers! There was a presentation of some campers that had achieved the top rank possible as a camper, which is a source of great pride. The part I was most impressed with was the mention of the alumni.
The alumni raised enough money to build a chapel a few years ago. Many of these alumni had kids attending this week and took part in some of the festivities. There are families where 3 or 4 generations have attended Ridgecrest. The camp leadership values these former staff members, and treasures the relationship between alumni and camp. These guys want their sons to have the same experience they have enjoyed in the past. It is my opinion this is the way all camps should treat their alumni. Not all camps have this same type of relationship and that is a shame.
I do not have as much contact with the folks from Crestridge camp for Girls, yet I do know they run a similar program. While not quite as old, they have a tremendous tradition and program. And their alumni program is just as strong!
In these days, when our kids are more and more sedentary, we need to look for ways to get them outside. We can't just let them ride their bikes all over the place and we need to keep an eye on them. It is my opinion that is another reason camp is so important. I would encourage anyone to find a good, quality traditional camp and watch the joy of camping through the eyes of their child. You won't be sorry!
http://www.ridgecrestcamps.com/boys/index.shtml
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