While it was sad to say goodbye to our 2 week campers today, I couldn’t help but glow with pride showing the parents around camp.
From 8 year olds soloing canoes to 15 year olds doing laps of camp with canoes on their heads training for push trips, it was obvious that Arowhon is a place where kids learn skills, gain confidence, and push themselves to new limits.
Some parents were surprised about the amount of freedom kids get at camp, and I reflected on how unique it is for kids to be in an environment where they can move around independently in a safe place where there is a network of staff looking out for them but not micromanaging their every move. Sure, some of them wear the same shirt for 3 days until their friends tell them it’s gross. Sometimes they eat so many fruit loops they get a tummy ache. Sometimes they stay up so late they can’t get up in the morning. Letting them learn all these lessons first hand empowers them to take responsibility for themselves and each other, and I’m always amazed by how resourceful, capable, and caring kids are when given the opportunity and environment to make their own decisions.
Here’s to another amazing 2 weeks on Tepee Lake!
