This summer we had 4 weeks of amazing experiences running our summer day camp at HPEC. It was the second year of the camp called, Where WILD things GROW, and we were surprised with the over flowing interest and shared excitement from the kids and parents.
I want to share with you the story of one camper in particular. This young man has difficultly in social situations. He doesn’t make friends easily and he often gets in trouble at school. He has TONS of questions and can have a hard time judging “human” emotion.
His parents signed him up for our camp – it would be a new experience for him and they let me know that he may be uncomfortable and have some difficulties.
So we were prepared. We made sure we had some extra volunteers for the week and prepared ourselves for a bit more of a challenge.
The first day we went through the “rules” of the camp. The “rules” of our camp are very limited – we prefer to let the kids define those rules for themselves as they get to know each other and the area.
This young man, however, was a bit uncomfortable and had a lot of questions for me about the “rules.” He had suggestions of rules that we should have to keep the campers and the natural area “safe.” He also informed me that he wasn’t going to make any friends nor have any fun. I listened, let him share his thoughts….
AND then walked away.. and let the the WILD ZONE and the rest of the campers “do their thing”.
We allow the campers to spend most of their time in our WILD ZONE. It is truly just a wild natural area – with trees, water, mud, and lots of slimy things to keep it interesting and challenging.
To be completely honest I was worried about this young man. I wasn’t sure if we should jump in and help him navigate the WILD ZONE with the other campers. I was worried that he would quickly become frustrated and would want more structure and help. I was worried he would hate the camp and complain to his parents when they came to pick him up.
I was completely wrong! Within 5 minutes this young man who has very few friends, who has never been to a sleep over, and who is uncomfortable with new situations – was the LEADER of the WILD ZONE.
We heard him over the trees giving directions, sharing stories, developing new games, and laughing. He had a huge smile on his face and a large following of kids who wanted to know what he was going to do next.
He rarely came out of the WILD ZONE that week and I think he only completed one of the many art in nature projects we had for the campers.
He was in his zone.. he found his place.. he was a LEADER.
He would come out every once in a while to check in with me on the time – always amazed that there was very little time left and how quickly time went by in the WILD ZONE.
This child who we were worried wouldn’t do well and made sure we were prepared to entertain – was the easiest camper we had all summer! He taught me more than I taught him. He showed me once again the importance of unstructured time in nature. The need that all kids have to explore and truly become themselves – and the power that a simple natural area can have even if it is just for one week. He reminded me why we first started the camp and how lucky I am to have these experiences every summer.
At the end of camp we ask the campers what they liked best. This young man was in the WILD ZONE and didn’t participate in the group conversation at that moment. However – when we were walking down the trail heading to their parents and home, he said to me.. “I learned that I’m a LEADER too.”
It touched my heart and made me realize.. sometimes it’s the simple, unplanned, unstructured time that makes the biggest difference.
And I hope this young man – now that he is back in world of school, social situations, and activities – remembers those words he said to me that day - and the power and joy he felt that week!
