Camp Arowhon
Social Inclusion
Reflections on Cabin Dis-Requests
This morning before we left for work, Leon and I rubbed each other the wrong way as follows: 1) He left the fridge open while doing something else. That always drives me crazy. 2) I passed him a Tupperware to pack our soup for lunch. He said it was too small. I said it wasn’t. 3) We […]
ContinueBullying Awareness Week is November 18 – 24
Members of the Arowhon family know about our camp commitment to stop bullying. We know from experience that the vast majority of bullying incidents are caused by problems kids are having in their relationships – so our commitment at Arowhon is first to know what’s going on in kids’ relationships and second to give them the help […]
ContinueIn Homesick and Happy, Michael Thompson writes about a study where people were asked about their happiest childhood memory; more than 80 percent name a parent-free moment.
My Daughter Went Away to Camp and Changed By John Dickerson Children in summer camp can be their essential selves, not worrying about how their parents might react.Photo by Christian Science Monitor/Getty Images When I look at my phone, I see my daughter leaving for camp on my home screen. She stands at the bottom of […]
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Teach a Kid to Fish
Taking Action on Bullying I think it is wonderful that bullying is getting so much attention these days. There are countless foundations, awareness-raising groups, clubs at schools, and even promises of national legislation against bullying. But although recognizing and condemning it is an important first step, it’s not going to solve the problem. I always […]
ContinueWhat did you do when you were 15?
I heard an interview with Malala Yousefzai on the radio the other day. After being shot in the head by the Taliban for going to school, the 15 year old has gone on to become a world-famous advocate for girls’ education. She spoke more confidently and articulately than I (with my Ivy League grad degree […]
ContinueKids and Friends: Who Gets to Choose?
I sent my daughter to UTS so she would hang out with smart kids and not do drugs, drink or have sex. I sent my son to Upper Canada College so he would be influenced towards better work habits and the pursuit of excellence. My daughter managed the trifecta (and then some) and my son […]
ContinueWhy we don’t let campers sneak out at night
I’ve had a few parents calling me in the past week about campers sneaking out of their cabins at night at other camps. Apparently it’s the cool thing to do at some camps. Which makes me sad. I know what kids do when they sneak out to visit the opposite sex in the middle of […]
ContinueLetter from a new 2013 Arowhon parent
BTW, one other note for Joanne and all the staff. We rented a cottage in August and each night Adam (AGE 9!!!!) built the camp fire based on what he learned at Camp Arowhon. On top of that, he also went kayaking with me for about an hour a day in separate kayaks and we […]
ContinueA camp director’s thoughts on sexting
Sexting is bad. Our kids know – because we’ve told them – that any image they transmit over the internet will take on an uncontrollable life of its own, may go viral, and could do them irreparable and lasting harm. This is old news – so old that we need to figure out another way […]
ContinueThe Main Lodge is down
and the good news is…. that camp really DOES change children’s lives for the better. A new study from the University of Waterloo found as follows: WATERLOO, ON – The positive development that children and youth experience at summer camp results in sustained behavioural changes at home, school and in the community, says a new […]
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