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Planting the Seeds at Summer Camp Camp experiences promote social development, sense of place and environmental stewardship. By Jen Graham, Public Programs Coordinator
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From a social perspective, summer camps present an excellent opportunity for children to practice making new friends and developing relationships.
ummer is a season of plenty. Life proliferates under logs and inside tree cavities. Prairies and gardens burst into color, and native pollinators enjoy a buffet of sweet nectars. The low rumble of bullfrogs ripples through murky ponds; the cheerful whistle of migratory birds hangs on the wind; and the rustling of chipmunks and garter snakes in the leaf litter causes us to pause and listen. With all its sensory wonders, summer is the perfect season for children to explore, and there is no better way for young nature lovers to get to know their environment than through a summer camp experience.
Although schoolbooks will be returned to the library and binders will be stored away, children never stop learning. For over a century, summer camps have invited children to connect to a world outside their familiar homes and schools and “build character” through challenging activities and fun outdoor games. Campers often return home feeling refreshed and confident, brimming with tales of wild adventure. However, the many benefits of these camps were largely anecdotal, passed down through smiling faces in photographs and nostalgic stories. It wasn’t until 2005, when the American Camp Association (ACA) conducted a study of summer camps across the United States, that significant statistical evidence arose to support summer camps as spaces of social and intellectual development. Indeed, the ACA study found that children who participated in just one session of summer camp saw substantial growth in a variety of areas, including self-esteem, independence, social skills, risk assessment, decision making, sense of place and personal
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friends, children grow more comfortable taking risks and take pride in their achievements, leaving with more confidence in themselves and their social networks.
values. Notably, this growth was often reported to persist beyond camp and into children’s daily lives. This data corroborates the long-held understanding that summer camps provide unique learning experiences, tailored to support social-emotional growth. Under the guidance of dedicated camp counselors in beautiful natural settings, campers develop important tools to help them succeed, even after they return to their regular routines. From a social perspective, summer camps present an excellent opportunity for children to practice making new friends and developing relationships. The goofy games, silly songs and creative crafts of camp foster an environment where children can feel safe to experiment, relax, open up and be themselves. When everyone is learning a new skill together, campers are encouraged to work as a team, manage disagreements, share successes and persist through disappointments. With the care and support of respected camp counselors and new
Additionally, because most summer camps offer a unique outdoor experience with counselors serving as stewardship role models, children also show significant growth in their ability to appreciate, connect to and care for the environment. Free from the constant demands of technology and screens, campers begin to exercise their imaginations and pursue new interests. Their senses activate their learning, making the lessons deep and impactful. They absorb facts about nature, not because they must, but because they are hungry to learn more. Fresh air and sunshine promote calm and focus. Exploring the outdoors through structured and unstructured play is essential to developing a sense of wonder and comfort in nature. At Holden Forests & Gardens, stewardship is a top priority in our camp experiences. Not only will campers forge friendships with each other, they’ll also forge friendships with box turtles and pine needles, with roly-polies and milkweed. Indeed, summer camps are an invitation for children to emerge and engage
