Do you ever feel you and your family spend too much time connected to technology and not enough time outdoors enjoying everything nature has to offer?
Read More: Nature Deficit Disorder: Why modern kids need old-fashioned freedoms
Category: News & Events
Making the Argument: Camp Creates Advantage
Over the last five years a growing tidal wave of research makes it clear that there are a certain set of skills that predict for long-term success in life — and those are the skills being taught at summer camp. Academic performance may help students get into a competitive college, but it is grit, tenacity, optimism, and self-control that will get them through to graduation. Most camp directors already know and understand this, but as an industry we can do a better job of making this argument. We must show parents that camp is uniquely positioned to build exactly the skills their children will need to thrive not only in college, but in their careers as well.
For example, did you know that Princeton’s Dean of Admissions has recommended that high schoolers return to their summer camps to be senior leaders and counselors (Rapelye, 2012) instead of other academic or resume-building opportunities? I didn’t know that until I started researching this article. You’d better believe that every prospective parent I meet for the rest of the year is going to hear about it though.
Did you know that in April of 2014, CNBC ran an item titled “Summer Camp May Improve College Admission Odds”? That link has now been posted to our website as evidence for prospective parents.
Have you ever spoken with a parent about the Partnership for 21st Century Skills? This organization has published reports that describe the critical skills major American employers desperately want from new graduates entering the workforce. The skills these employers have identified are exactly the skills that are built every year at summer camp: communication, collaboration, creativity, and leadership.
These are the kinds of statements that turn heads and cause parents’ eyes to light up. Parents may like the idea of sending their child to camp to be outdoors, make friends, and be more confident, but they feel compelled to send their child to camp when they believe it creates an advantage and sets their child up for success.
That camp creates advantage for kids is a winning argument that camp directors must learn to make. It is a winning argument not only because it’s true, but because it snaps parents from a cautious approach to an eager approach to finding the right camp for their child. It will help directors fill their own individual camps and benefit the industry as a whole if we broadly communicate that camps really do create advantage for kids.
ACA’s 20/20 Vision is a bold and ambitious plan for strengthening our industry and for benefiting millions of children. Let’s help make it a reality by learning to make a compelling argument from the ground up: “Camp creates advantage for kids.”
Reference
Rapelye, J. (2012, Sept. 28). Part 5: Answers from Princeton’s dean of admission. The Choice, New York Times.
ACA Camping Magazine: The Argument We Must Learn To Make: Camp Creates Advantage (Erec Hills)
Spring Board Retreat – Focus on Impact
Over the weekend of April 24-26 the JACF Trustees and management met for their spring retreat among the beautiful surroundings of The Nature Place, part of the Sanborn Western Camps property in Florissant, CO. High on the agenda was discussion about measuring the outcomes of the summer camp experience and the long-term impact they can have upon the JACF camper, their family and community.
Throughout the year lots of activity takes place to deliver the Foundation’s programs and services, both in the JACF office and among its dedicated volunteers and partners. Much of that activity centers around WHAT we do, and HOW we do it. All of that activity is vitally important as we strive toward funding and supporting each of our campers and their families, and reaching our goal of bringing an unparalleled summer camp experience within their reach. But that goal is only part of the story, and the camp experience is only a means to a greater end. When we focus on WHY we intervene and support in this way we are able to tell a compelling story of impact.
Over the last five years a growing tidal wave of research makes it clear that there are a certain set of skills that predict for long-term success in life — and those are the skills being taught at summer camp. And so the camp experience is a platform for shaping our campers and preparing them for long-term success. (read more)
The trustees were privileged to hear JACF camper Skye H share her reflections about what her 3 summers at Sanborn Western Camps have meant to her, and how excited she is as she prepares for summer number 4. Skye spoke about how she has grown from a shy young girl into a confident and mature individual, and attributes the leadership skills that have since brought her new opportunities to her time at camp. As she shared her dreams about attending the Airforce Academy it became clear that in front of us was an amazing young woman who, in part due to the time spent at summer camp, was opening doors to her future that may not otherwise have been available to her. Skye was bringing to life our conversations about impact, and how empowering that was!
As we continue to work toward removing barriers to this outcome-laden, impactful summer camp experience, we see one more underserved young person gifted an opportunity to achieve their full potential.
Impact of a summer camp experience on at-risk middle school youth
In 2012 the Open Journal Of Occupational Therapy published the findings of a study entitled ‘Effects of a Summer Camp Experience on Factors of Resilience in At-Risk Youth’, which addressed the impact of a summer camp experience on at-risk middle school youth by exploring self-reported growth in skill development and resilience. Results showed statistically significant differences in the campers’ belief of a good future for themselves Three significant themes emerged from individual in-depth interviews including: (a) engagement influences skill competence (b) the camp environment expands positive choice and availability of positive occupations (c) males developed skills and resilience from informal physical activity while no equivalent existed for females. Middle school aged at-risk youth can benefit from occupation-based summer camp programs that promote active engagement in an enriched environment and sustain gains once they return to high-risk environments. This research contributes to a growing understanding of the potential contribution of occupational therapy in the design and delivery of effective summer camp experiences for at-risk youth. Read the full study report Continue reading “Impact of a summer camp experience on at-risk middle school youth”
Camp Teaches 21st Century College, Career and Life Skills
Summer Camp is the ultimate “depth of knowledge” environment for teaching 21st Century college, career and life skills:
“College and Career Ready” has become the focus of much current education policy. This focus for k-12 education is on the actual skills and knowledge students will need, whether for work or further education. However, this focus does miss another critical goal of education–preparing the next generation of citizens. Just as our workplaces need new employees who can critically think, creatively problem solve, collaborate, and communicate, so these skills are essential to a healthy, vibrant civic life. 
The answers lie in “the 3 C’s”:
– Critical Thinking & Problem Solving – Creativity & Innovation – Communication & Collaboration
Today’s biggest, most successful businesses in the USA seek in their new hires:
– Flexibility & Adaptability – Initiative & Self Direction – Social & Cross-Cultural Skills – Productivity & Accountability – Leadership & Responsibility
This is where the SUMMER CAMP experience comes into play!
– Parents sign up their children for Summer Camp, children anticipate it for the upcoming months, having inner-conversations, keeping their emotions in check, and imagining what it will be like. (teaching: self-control, emotional control, self-distraction) – Children travel to camp independently, or get dropped off at Camp, breaking free of their parents and embarking on exciting new experiences. (teaching: independence, initiative, courage, optimism) – Children become part of a group/bunk at Camp, sharing responsibilities and working together, all while being a good person. (teaching: teamwork, responsibility, accountability, integrity) – Children participate in activities throughout their day; they try new things, listen to the staff members, and push themselves and their peers to new heights. (teaching: aspiration, curiosity, respect, leadership) – Children experience the ups and downs of making and keeping friendships. (teaching: integrity, communication, adaptability, patience) (Source: The Partnership for 21st Century Skills (p21.org) & Liberty Lake Camp)
Annual CAMPaign – Join us for CO Gives Day
Colorado Gives Day is coming up soon on Tuesday, December 9, and for the fifth year the John Austin Cheley Foundation is participating. COGives Day is a crowd funding event for JACF to increase the number of donors and donations, and to highlight our amazing campers as we raise money for camperships in 2015. The idea is to spread the word and activate more people to connect and donate as we strive to raise $80,000 through this campaign EVEN IF YOU DO NOT LIVE IN COLORADO.
On the COGives website, we have posted fundraising pages created by campers from each of our camps, responding to our recent contest, #channelyourinnercamp. Our campers have submitted outstanding stories about ways in which their camp experience has helped them be successful and change and grow as a person. The stories are powerful, and you can read many of them here on our posts, view great video stories, and check out our Facebook campaign.
How can you help us?:
- Send an email to at least 5 friends, family, co-workers, etc. with the suggested content below
- Follow us, like us and even post directly on our social media sites (Facebook, Twitter, Google+, LinkedIN and YouTube) and help pass along more great “inner camp” stories and videos, perhaps even one of your own
- Make your COGives Day donation (separate from your Annual Campaign donation)
Be a part of the crowd of youth and camp supporters and schedule your donation anytime between now and Tuesday, December 9 for your contribution to count in the total. Many, many thanks for your help again this year, and Happy Holidays to all!
#channelyourinnercamp
The JACF Annual CAMPaign is a movement to reconnect with your inner camp and share your stories to raise awareness of the impact that summer camp has had on you. With your support the John Austin Cheley Foundation will continue to bring this opportunity and this impact to more and more low income and underserved youth all across the United States.
DONATE NOW to our Annual CAMPaign and ensure the “inner camp” experience for low income, underserved youth around the country. Help us reach our goal of raising $600,000 for camperships for summer 2015.
Make your meaningful contribution TODAY and along with it spread the word about JACF and its impact by writing your own inner camp stories and sharing them here and/or on your own social media pages, with photos and videos, too, and with the hash tag #channelyourinnercamp.
Luis O, a JACF camper for the past two summers at Sanborn Western Camps, shared his great inner camp story with us at our 25th Anniversary Gala just a few weeks ago:
“Throughout my life, I have lived in the same house in Chicago with my two parents and occasionally my grandparents. I was born into poverty. My mother maintained a job as a janitor while my father desperately tried to find a job. From the background I am coming from, something as luxurious as a month away at one of the best camps in America was not something I could ask for. My experience at camp would have me going home with a greater sense of who I was. Camp gave me the confidence to talk, which for going now to a school like Exeter where every class is a discussion was huge. Not only has camp given me the time of my life, it has also helped with grades, class participation, meeting new friends, and living a healthy lifestyle. Without camp, I can’t say that I would be where I am today.”
– How about replying with a post of your own “inner camp” story to help us achieve the goal of raising $600,000 for the summer of 2015 to provide camperships for youth to attend extended-stay wilderness summer camps that have a proven track record of positively impacting youth development.
– Consider making a meaningful pledge today to pass forward the “inner camp” experience to youth like Luis all around the country – click here to contribute to our Annual CAMPaign online.
JACF Campers shared their inner camp stories in the following videos – click here to take a peek!
25th Anniversary Gala Photo Gallery
Summer 2014 Photos
Click here to view photos sent in by our 2014 Campership winners!
Campership Winner Speaks at Big Brothers Big Sisters Event
Student Council President, Eagle Scout and 2013 and 2014 JACF Cheley Camper, Roger D. recently spoke at BBBS event about the challenges he has overcome, the support that he has received from JACF and BBBS, and the growth that his summers at camp have allowed.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE VIDEO
