From Peg

by Peg L. Smith, Chief Executive Officer

Remember the first time you saw a star shining brightly in the sky? Remember the first sunrise you witnessed in the early dawn? Remember the first fire-fly you caught? Remember the first puddle you jumped in after a hard rain? Remember the first time you met your best friend? These are all memories you store in the most important "muscle" of your body — the brain. Today, so many children may not have had these opportunities before this summer when they go to camp. Maybe your first experience of smelling the sweetness of the morning dew, while listening to the birds chirp, happened at camp. This summer, counselors across the country will be helping kids fill their "storage bins" with these excellent memories that will last a lifetime. Don’t fail to appreciate the importance of these memories.

A camp owner/director said to me the other day that going to camp had not been his "birth-right." I felt this was a profound statement. This summer many campers will have grown up knowing that they would go to camp one day. Many of those campers may assume everyone has this same opportunity. Other campers may have never even imagined going to camp before this summer. Many of those campers will not realize there are potentially three more kids just like them who will not be at camp. You are creating what I call "camp DNA." You will facilitate opportunities to embed camp memories deep in the recesses of the brain. These memories of the camp experience will be drawn forth on the day that camper recognizes the importance of preserving the natural world, the value of true friendships, and the importance of an active, healthy lifestyle based on the lessons learned at camp — a meaningful, engaged, and participatory learning environment. This "camp DNA" helps children, youth, and adults become strong leaders, who understand the significance of their camp experiences and memories. Camp is not a birth-right; it is an important rite of passage for positive child/ youth development.

Why is this rite of passage so essential beyond the value provided to those who will be lucky enough to have a camp experience this summer? It is critical because every counselor and camper has the opportunity to view themselves as a leader — an ambassador for all of those who did not have a chance to go to camp this summer. This summer when you are singing wonderful songs with the campers, remember those who are not with you. When you are witnessing campers feel the reward of success when they accomplish something new, remember those who are not able to go to camp this summer. When you look out at the smiling faces and arms looped from shoulder to shoulder, remember there are those who are not feeling the profound impact of community — the camp community. Remind every camper and counselor to use their voices when they go home to advocate for those who have not had such opportunities. Each voice needs to share the power of the experience with those who can make a difference in the life of another young person by helping them go to camp next summer. You are a generation of people who know how to mobilize and empower millions of people. Use your power to ensure that no fewer than 20 million children and youth go to camp by the year 2020. I believe in you.

Originally published in the 2009 July/August issue of Camping Magazine.