We often hear that camp has everything a kid could dream of…athletics, arts, Outdoor Adventure, water trampolines, theater, gymnastics, Imagineering/STEM. The list goes on and on. From our pristine waterfront to stargazing at Blueberry Hill, each camper has their own memories that make their time at camp so special. I’m sure you can think about your summers and camp and remember those moments vividly. But what if it’s not what camp has that make it so special? What if it’s what camp doesn’t have that allow us to have those great moments with friends? I can think of three things that are missing from Camp Poyntelle that make it a uniquely special environment!
- Electronics
There is something truly magical that happens when you take a group of 12 year old boys and drop them into a bunk without the possibility of playing Fortnite. They actually somehow figure out how to speak to one another believe it or not. All joking aside, we truly believe that the idea of an electronics free environment for kids is one of the greatest benefits of camp. They can focus on fostering true friendships instead of virtual ones. They learn to be creative and make up games. They play jacks. They make friendship bracelets. Maybe most importantly they learn that their bunk mates accept them and love them as they are, not just the perfection they portray on social media.
- Pressure
When you ask a camper what makes Poyntelle so special or why do they love Poyntelle the response almost always includes some version of “I’m comfortable here.” or “I can really be myself here.” We know we are doing our job well when the kid who is the star athlete at home is comfortable enough and confident enough to try out for the play in camp. We’ve created an intentionally down to earth environment that is not centered around material things. We’ve created and environment where kids don’t have to worry about how well they did on an exam or if they are going to make the soccer team. They don’t have to worry about what they’re wearing or how they’re doing their hair. They can just be kids – if only for 7 short weeks!
- Parents
I listened to a Podcast yesterday that focused on the idea of Anti-Fragile children and it really resonated with me as a Camp Director and parent. How do we raise our children to not only be resilient, but to actually thrive off of challenges and adversity. I’m obviously simplifying, but the conclusion they came to was the best thing we could do was TO DO LESS. Camp offers us exactly that opportunity. Campers are going to make their bed and learn how to put away laundry. They are going to try new things that may scare them at first. They are going to have conflicts with other campers. They are going to miss home at times. They are going face challenges over the course of the summer. And they are going to learn that they can work through those challenges, maybe with help from their counselors, but without parents. What a powerful lesson that is for a kid!
When meeting families for the first time, we are often asked “Why should I send my child to Poyntelle?” In a world where only sleepaway camp can offer an environment without electronics, pressure and parents, my question is always…WHY WOULDN’T YOU?