Why camp friendships last a lifetime

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Best friends forever!

What is missing from this picture? Look closely, and you will notice that not one of these teenage girls is holding her cell phone, and they survived! That is one of the best things about girls coming to a week of our camp, they unplug from technology and plug into nature and friends.

One of the benefits of a week away at summer camp is the friendships you make. Without parents around, kids get to choose whom they hang out with, and that autonomy gives kids a sense of independence missing in their everyday lives. Because no one knows you, it’s also an opportunity to reinvent yourself, as you have no reputation to live up to or down to. This creates the space for kids to let down their masks and try new activities and personas.

Being out in nature all day also slows down the pace of life, and kids actually get to experience some unstructured down time. That’s where camp becomes magical, with so many moments of spontaneous fun and creativity. You walk everywhere, and as shown in the photo, you actually give people your full attention because texts and social media don’t distract you. This generates more in-depth conversations and thus more intimacy.

There are endless opportunities to hang out and enjoy your new friends: sharing a cabin, eating all your meals together, singing around a campfire, taking long hikes or canoe rides, watching sunsets, or star gazing at night. Add to that all of the spontaneous explosions of laughter, pranking the counselors, and creating new games, skits, and songs and you’ve got friends for life.DSCF3377

The relationships you experience at summer camp are unique and magical. The lack of technology, the slow pace and unstructured time, and the high level of trust, camaraderie, and shared experience create close ties that can last a lifetime.

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