Every year thousands of children attend children's summer day camps. Children's camps have been proven to have a positive impact on the lives of those who participate. One such camp is Camp Sonshine, a Christian children's summer day camp. Many families have endorsed Camp Sonshine as being influential in the lives of their children. Youth benefit from effective children's summer day camps, like Camp Sonshine, in their relationships, personal talents, and confidence.
The first of many ways that camp effects the lives of children, is relationships are started, built, and continued. Relationships with peers and leaders are an imperative part of a child's life. The team building and emotionally protective atmosphere at camp provides a safe environment for children to make friends. Alice and Sara are examples of a friendship made at camp. Alice, a shy and unsure middle school girl, had experienced cruel bullying and nonacceptance during the previous school year. The tough and outspoken Sara, who was another middle school girl, also suffered from not fitting in and being bullied. Alice and Sara were both a part of the Leaders In Training (LIT) program of Camp Sonshine. The two girls became best friends by the end of their first week together. Each girl felt comfortable with being herself and showing love and acceptance to each other. The two newly found friends continued their friendship into the school year and still remain good friends. Camp Sonshine not only encourages peer friendships but also counselor to camper friendships. Many counselors at camp invested into Alice, the LIT. One particular counselor took the time to send Alice encouraging notes throughout the summer that she took to heart and treasured. The once shy Alice became one of the strongest and outgoing LITs, assured in who she was and what she was capable of doing. Her newly found confidence was due to the quality friendships and relationships Alice was able to develop in the safe and encouraging camp atmosphere.
A second benefit of summer camp is it encourages children to discover and develop their own unique talents and qualities. Many children discover that they are capable of things that they were originally scared of. Cattie was only in Kindergarten when she first tried to shoot an arrow in the camp archery range. She feared even stepping into the archery range until a counselor assured her that they would do it together. Her very first arrow hit the target and archery became Cattie's favorite activity at camp. Little Cattie was able to overcome her fear and discover a talent that she did not know she possessed. Also, many campers who were originally thought of as trouble makers become known as natural leaders. The once “rebellious” Mark, who came to be loved and known by all the staff at Camp Sonshine, was sent to the head counselor almost once a day because of a discipline issue during his first weeks at camp. However, through leaders investing into him and the experiences he had at camp, Mark became a true leader to his peers by leading familiar games and songs while encouraging his peers to listen actively to the leaders. Both Cattie and Mark learned important qualities about themselves at camp; Cattie overcame a fear, and Mark discovered his natural ability of leadership.
Some would say that the children who really thrive at camp are only the confident, outgoing, and active children who get along well with others their own age. Conversely, critics claim that children who are disconnected or introverted cannot be impacted by children's camps. Mandy's story testifies differently. Mandy was a third grade girl who never talked nor smiled in social situations when her leaders first met her. The mother of Mandy had tried many other children's programs and consulted children's specialists before sending her little girl to camp. Though Mandy's case seemed hopeless, by the end of the summer she was one of the most spunky, outgoing, talkative girls at camp. She loved being on stage for singing and dancing, participating in all the activities with enthusiasm, and hugging every leader any moment she saw them. Mandy became a little chatter box who was all smiles and hugs. Any child can enjoy the benefits of camp, whether he/she is outgoing and adventurous or socially unsure and insecure.
An additional benefit is that children's day camps give children confidence. Participants of camp receive a confidence to be themselves and to use their talents and skills, resulting from realizing that they have value for who they are. Joe was a kid who was adopted and had a heart transplant when he was very young. He used to be insecure about the scar he had because of the surgery. But, according to his mom, after the first couple of weeks Joe had built up confidence to tell his peers about his scar and where it came from. Another example of built confidence in a young individual is Ethan. The video game obsessed LIT started his very first summer without self confidence and had insecurities about himself. Ethan was unmotivated to do any of his jobs, having set a low standard for himself. Nevertheless, through intentional leadership and training he received from the counselors and directors of the camp, Ethan slowly grew in character and maturity. By the end of his third summer, the leadership of camp entrusted him with his own activities to lead. He truly enjoyed his days at camp and has returned each summer to Camp Sonshine, a place where he is accepted.
In closing, the benefits of camp are numerous and have affected hundreds of children and their families each summer. Camp provides a safe environment for children to build relationships with each other and their leaders, discover their talents and abilities, while also building their self-confidence in who they are as individuals. Children's summer day camps benefit children in many aspects of their lives and provide for them a starting point to live their lives with confidence and purpose.
(The names in this post have been changed to protect the individuals)
Dreams carry one on towards who they want to become and what they want to do in their life, future, and before they pass on. According to Anne Ortlund a Christian book writer,“A dream is a precious exciting thing that carries you forward from day to day; a goal down the way that keep you on the straight road to get there, a purpose just for you alone, exhilarating enough to give you momentum for a long time to come” (Ortlund). I have many dreams and have found that one must have a intent, purpose and plan behind those dreams to carry them forward and make them a reality. 
