Homesick and Happy: How Time Away from Parents Can Help a Child Grow is the newest work by Michael Thompson, author of (amongst others) Best Friends, Worst Enemies–Understanding the Social Lives of Children.

Camp Is Not School (No Tests, Judgment, or Evaluation):

An Excerpt from Homesick and Happy

If the single most important thing about camp is that a child’s parents are not there, that is still only part of the story.

Camp is also not school.

That simple fact can produce an extraordinary change in the climate of a child’s day, and therefore his or her emotional life. Good things, certainly different things, happen for children when they are relieved of the pressure of judgment, comparison, evaluation, and striving that are an inevitable part of the school day.

Let us be honest; it isn’t just the school day. Judgment and comparison are often intrinsic in youth activities. On school teams, at music lessons, and at dance lessons, children are bathed in high expectations. However, because that pressure is part of the air they breathe in schools, they are always aware that it is there. The stakes of school are high; both good and bad performances have consequences. Children feel that every day.

There is a strong argument that young people need a break from the pressures of school.

Pete Hare, a camp director and the son of a legendary long-serving camp director, worked as a successful teacher for 15 years, then chose to return to the camp life full-time. I asked him why. He explained both his choice and the difference between school and camp in simple terms:

“First of all, camp is a far happier place than school. When kids and staff arrive at camp at the beginning of summer, the positive vibe and the smiles on their faces are incredible. The energy is crackling.” By contrast, he continued, “When faculty members arrive at school… I don’t deny that there is some excitement, but there is a lot of dragging as well.”

That’s understandable; they are teachers. Time is a variable in the distinction between schools and camps; camps last a maximum of three months, so it is easier for everyone to stay “up” for that short stretch of time.

The essential difference between the two, however, has to do with the high stakes of school and the lower stakes at camp. You could argue that camp is full of contests and competition That can be true. However, my experience visiting camps suggests that many of the competitions are, in fact, “play” or pseudo competitions that throw our intense need to win into a laughable light. Camp contests teach you to be able to make a heroic effort, to laugh about it, and move on. Camp contests, done right, are group play.

When I visited a camp for girls in New England, I arrived on the last day of the color wars. A counselor new to the camp had introduced a novel and culminating event: the frozen t-shirt contest. When I heard the name, I blanched inwardly, because it evoked a “wet t-shirt” contest of Florida-college beach vacations. This was nothing of the sort. Four t-shirts had been thoroughly wet down, balled up and placed in the freezer. They emerged looking like white paper mache balls, except that they were rock hard. There were four “color” teams and each had chosen a captain to represent the team. The first girl who could crack open the icy t-shirt and don it would win.

It was a ridiculous exercise into which these four girls threw themselves with a kind of insane devotion, slamming the t-shirt onto the surface of the outside basketball court to break up the ice and free the fabric. It was an extremely demanding task, and by the time they had been at it for ten minutes, the four girls were panting and sweating profusely, accompanied by the (recently composed) cheers and chants.

The organizers had left the shirts in the freezer for far too long. It was clear that our heroines would be exhausted before they succeeded, so the rules were re-written on the spot and teams were allowed to fetch warm water from a sink in the kitchen. Girls ran for buckets and plastic pitchers; bucket brigades were formed to melt the ice. The t-shirts, torn and battered, were donned. One team won the color war. Everyone cheered the winner, then the teams retired to create a creative cheer/skit for every other team, which they then performed for each other. (Out go the athletes, in come the lyricists and playwrights.) Everybody hugged and laughed and headed off for the next activity. No state championships, no college scholarships offered to these ferocious queens of the frozen t-shirt contest.

I recently sat in on a campfire while the results of the cabin inspections for each division were announced. The results were greeted with excitement, with cheers and little dances on the part of the winners, but no one there was fooled about the stakes of this content. Being recognized for a clean cabin is a sweet pleasure; but a messy cabin is hardly a life-and-death matter. Even the choice of the Color Wars captain, a real honor for the campers who are chosen, is largely forgotten by the next day. The feeling that what happens at camp is sweet and fleeting is such a relief compared to the feeling of school, where everything is remembered and it all goes on your permanent record.

From the book HOMESICK AND HAPPY to be published by Ballantine Books in May 2012. Originally published in the 2012 January/February Camping Magazine. (This article was edited for length and pertinence).

Here is the publisher’s description of the book: 

In an age when it’s the rare child who walks to school on his own, the thought of sending your “little ones” off to sleep-away camp can be overwhelming—for you and for them. But parents’ first instinct—to shelter their offspring above all else—is actually depriving kids of the major developmental milestones that occur through letting them go—and watching them come back transformed.

In Homesick and Happy, renowned child psychologist Michael Thompson, PhD, shares a strong argument for, and a vital guide to, this brief loosening of ties. A great champion of summer camp, he explains how camp ushers your children into a thrilling world offering an environment that most of us at home cannot: an electronics-free zone, a multigenerational community, meaningful daily rituals like group meals and cabin clean-up, and a place where time simply slows down. In the buggy woods, icy swims, campfire sing-alongs, and daring adventures, children have emotionally significant and character-building experiences; they often grow in ways that surprise even themselves; they make lifelong memories and cherished friends. Thompson shows how children who are away from their parents can be both homesick and happy, scared and successful, anxious and exuberant. When kids go to camp—for a week, a month, or the whole summer—they can experience some of the greatest maturation of their lives, and return more independent, strong, and healthy.

Perhaps you have caught yourself humming a camp song, daydreaming about windy days on the sailboat, reminiscing about whispers under a Minnesota moon or the serenade of the loons.

Maybe you’re literally counting the days until you come through the front gate? Maybe you’re flipping through old photo albums, remembering the days before you last left?

Regardless of the amount of time since you’ve last wandered the shores of Lake Hubert, it is easy to slip back into the moment. The birch bark nametag, Pop and Candy, final campfire…

A camp experience is unlike any other. It is so individual, yet with a common thread understood only by those that have lived it.

Have you ever caught yourself explaining something to someone and stopping short with, ‘It’s a camp thing, you probably wouldn’t understand.’ Or, as one staff member commented with a smile, ‘My family knows when I head out in June that I’ll check in at some point from Planet Camp.’

Truly, it’s that powerful. The friendships that are built here are unrivaled. Camp brings us all together with nothing but a green stand and our character. It’s a level playing field. People from all walks of life come together to create a community.

Every year, we both see and hear about mini-reunions – camp alumni gatherings all over the globe. And these aren’t organized by CL – CLH…these are driven by the relationships formed under the banner of camp. Amazing.

There have been dozens of marriages – camp brings together people with similar values and passions. And it is passed on from one generation to the next. Five generations of campers over 100 years.

Recently, there was a posting on the camp Facebook wall of a YouTube video featuring a (now famous) father and daughter singing the song ‘Home’. The person commented that they shared it because it reminded them of the final campfire at camp. While some of the lyrics aren’t ‘camp’, for the most part, they ring true.

A few of the stanzas:

Alabama, Arkansas, I do love my ma and pa

not the way I do love you

Well, holy moly, me-oh-my, you’re the apple of my eye

Girl, I never loved one like you

Laugh until we think we’ll die, barefoot on a summer night

Never could be sweeter than with you

And in the streets we’re runnin’ free like it’s only you and me

Jeez, you’re somethin’ to see

Home, let me come home

Home is wherever I’m with you

Oh home, let me come home

Home is whenever I’m with you.

Camp is home for so many of us. Not in a physical sense: The global gatherings, the 5^th generation campers, the marriages, the social media connections reuniting friends, it is all reflected so clearly in the lyrics: ‘Home is whenever I’m with you. Home is wherever I’m with you.’

Wherever you are this January, take a few minutes and close your eyes. Remember it. And hear the message loud and clear:

Welcome Home.

Looking for a New Year’s Resolution? One that’s easy to keep? One that you can be done with TODAY?

Tell a Friend About Camp! Win Prizes!

The CL-CLH Booster Club is how camp recognizes campers who refer their friends. It’s so easy to become a member!

Click here to “booster” your friend (or call the camp office 800-242-1909). Once you have done that, you are automatically a member of the Booster Club.

Of course your friend will come to camp because you’ve told them how great it is, but even if they don’t, you still become a member of the Booster Club, earning a patch, a summer chevron, and an invite to the Booster Club Party at camp during the summer.

Once your friend signs up for Camp, then you will begin to earn your Booster Club levels and prizes. As more friends enroll, you move up to higher levels and more Booster Club prizes.  You can move two levels each summer.

• Level One: Engraved Mini-Paddle
• Level Two: Camp Blanket
• Level Three: Fleece Pullover
• Level Four: Camp Jacket
• Level Five: Brand New Mountain Bike sent to your house!

Once campers earn Level 5 Status, they are automatically a Lifetime Member of the Camp Lincoln and Camp Lake Hubert Booster Club. As a Lifetime Member, campers will always be invited to join the Booster Club Party every summer they are at CL or CLH!

After LEVEL 5, HERE’S HOW YOU REACH THE NEXT 3 LEVELS…

Bronze: Booster 4 campers all in one summer who sign up and attend camp and you will receive:

• Summer chevron
• Bronze medal
• $150 dollar spending spree at the camp/online store
• $150 gift certificate to any store of your choice.

Silver: Booster 5 campers all in one summer who sign up and attend camp and you will receive:

• Summer Chevron
• Silver medal
• 5 tickets to a theme park of the your choice (up to a $400 value)
• A pizza and ice cream party with your cabin.

Gold: Booster 6 campers all in one summer who sign up and attend camp and you will receive:

• Summer Chevron
• Gold medal
• FREE camp session of your choice (2 or 4 weeks)
• A Special Day Trip with 6 of your friends (up to a $250 value).

It’s a Win-Win. You win prizes. Your friends learn about camp. Simple! We know this is one resolution you can keep.

Happy 2012! CFAB!

For me, the pine tree is a sign of the celebrations and gathering of people together.  In December it brings the hope of joy and peace around the world.  It brings songs to mind and people are more generous in spirit then perhaps during the rest of the year.  And in the summer, the pine tree is again a sign of celebrations, of a different sort.  It is when we are gathered beneath the pines that we share our deepest dreams and hopes and joys.  We come from around the world and we learn to be more patient and more generous of spirit.  We sing in a whisper and we sing at the top of our lungs.  We celebrate achievement and we celebrate personal growth.  It is at camp we feel most connected and most celebrated.

My wish for you and your family and BFFs in the coming weeks is a time of celebration, of connection, and of peace and hope and dreams come true.  The very warmest of wishes to you in this joyous season, from me and from all of us at Camp Lincoln and Camp Lake Hubert.

Laura Nolan, Director

Former NBC News anchor and author Tom Brokaw recently spoke at the Westminster Town Hall forum about his new book, “The Time of Our Lives: A Conversation about America.” It’s a reflection on the lost American dream and a search for possible solutions by looking at earlier generations.

The presentation was broadcast on Minnesota Public Radio. While the speech was enlightening and entertaining, of particular interest were Brokaw’s comments regarding his daughters’ summer camp experiences.

“We did, when they were young, send our daughters every summer to Camp Lake Hubert up near Brainerd. We wanted them to be a part of the Minnesota and Upper Midwest experience. Then they brought a lot of their New York friends as well.

Now I am happy to say that our grandchildren from San Francisco and Southern California are going to that camp. We have two new ones that are in New York and, at some point; they’ll be coming to Minnesota as well.

And knowing them, they’ll be returning with the accents from Fargo as well at the end of the summer.”

Love the Fargo comment! It is encouraging to hear Mr. Brokaw not only share his enthusiasm for Camp Lake Hubert, but for the summer camp experience in general.

As an organization heading into its 103^rd summer, Camp Lincoln and Camp Lake Hubert remain committed to providing an authentic Northwoods experience to the youth of today. We too, look back to earlier generations to help us define the camp experience of today while keeping an eye on the future.

The evolving digital age continually challenges us to help kids ‘download and process the raw data’ at camp, available in the form of nature and genuine human interaction. We have embraced this challenge and have thus far succeeded in maintaining the delicate balance between the virtual world and the magic of camp. The obvious is the fact that this blog post is available on the internet and social networks. What a wonderful way to connect and share with camp enthusiasts everywhere!

Brokaw’s book serves as a platform to inspire Americans, focusing on today’s generation, urging them to make a difference. His message aligns with the current campaign by the American Camping Association:

Because of Camp…

The response to the ACA movement has been overwhelming. It has allowed people from all walks of life all over the globe to share the impact of camp on their lives. Particularly pertinent has been the confidence camp has given them to springboard their dreams into action. Be sure to read the prior blog post regarding world leaders and celebrities that benefitted from the camp experience.

At Camp Lincoln and Camp Lake Hubert, we are constantly fine-tuning the camp experience; yet remain focused on our Core Values:

Personal Growth and Development, Quality Relationships, Community, Excellence, and Fun.

Regardless of the direction the future takes us, the core values are just that – core. We will work tirelessly to instill them in all who pass through our gates.

Perhaps the ACA said it best, “Camp Gives Kids a World of Good.”

CFAB!

Click here to listen to Brokaw’s comments on CLH

This Holiday Season is traditionally a time of giving. Take a moment to consider contributing to the Camp Lincoln – Camp Lake Hubert Scholarship Fund…every dollar helps.

Did you know?

• Donations are 100% tax-deductible.
• Camp matches all donations.
• 38 Campers received scholarships last summer.
• Any size gift is important and appreciated.
• You can refer and/or sponsor a deserving child from your community.

http://www.lincoln-lakehubert.com/alumni/donate   or call   800-242-1909

Remember your camp experience? Camp Gives Kids a World of Good!

When I think of this time of year I think of two things. First the visible changing of the seasons here in Minnesota and, second, the fun family time that happens at Thanksgiving. While the cold and snow of Minnesota’s winter can be a mixed blessing, the Thanksgiving tradition of family time is anticipated with much joy.

In today’s busy world, it can be difficult to simply get families together. I know for our family, between all the grandchildren’s sports and productions, it takes a five-star general and calendar guru to get all of our kids and grandchildren together. Thanksgiving, however, is one of those days when family schedules are cleared and the opportunity for getting together happens with great anticipation. Between turkey and pumpkin pie, we give thanks to God for all the many blessings He has provided, and it is especially wonderful to hear the grandchildren’s special thanks to God and to those who have influenced their lives.

At Camp Lincoln and Camp Lake Hubert we also give thanks. We are grateful for God’s many blessings and count each camper, alumnus and staff member among those blessings. For 103 years, we have seen the tradition of camping excellence carry forth on the shores of Lake Hubert. What a privilege it is!

Enjoy November and Happy Thanksgiving!

-Sam

For over 150 years, summer camp has been part of the hearts and minds of youth across the globe. Millions of people from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences have added camp to the story of their lives.

Check out this list of famous campers and famous camp counselors from around the world. The common thread of the camp experience has surely contributed to their inspired work:

• Albert Einstein , Scientist
• Sally Ride, NASA Space Shuttle Astronaut
• Mark Zuckerberg, Founder of Facebook
• Christopher Reeve, Superman
• Gilda Radner, Comedian and Activist
• J.D. Salinger, Author
• Michael Eisner, former CEO, Disney Corporation
• Paul Newman, Actor and Philanthropist
• Condoleezza Rice, U.S. Secretary of State
• Julia Roberts, Actress
• Ralph Lauren, Designer & Founder of Ralph Lauren/Polo
• Conan O’Brien, TV Personality
• Dorothy Hamill, Olympic Gold Medalist, Figure Skating
• John Krasinski, Actor
• Bill Clinton, US President
• Denzel Washington, Actor
• Neil Diamond, Singer
• Michael Jordan, Pro Athlete
• Gwen Stefani, Singer
• Katie Couric, TV Journalist
• George W. Bush, US President
• Bob Dylan, Singer and Songwriter
• Zach Braff, Actor
• Sandra Day O’Conner, Supreme Court Justice
• Lady Gaga, Performer
• Michelle Obama, First Lady of the USA
• Cindy Crawford, Model
• Drew Carey, TV Personality
• Prince Albert of Monaco
• Kerri Struggs, Olympic Gold Medialist, Gymnastics
• Norah Jones, Singer and Pianist
• Letita Baldridge, “Miss Manners”
• Chris Farley, Actor and Comedian
• Tre Cool, Green Day drummer

The Core Values instilled in our campers and community ring true long after summers spent on the shores of Lake Hubert. The very experience of camp helps us navigate the future.

It is amazing to consider the potential of the very people with whom we share camp. To sit across the table over a lasagna dinner, or visit under a starry sky in front of a campfire, maybe a spin on the Vomit Comet or a quick game of tetherball…these moments stay with us. They live forever in our hearts and minds, because as we all know, CFAB!

Thank you to the American Camping Association for sharing this information.

To listen, click here: ‘Speed 3′ Camper Produced Podcast

The boys took inspiration from the Speed Movies and added a camp twist.

It was created in the Camp Lincoln studio, nestled in Senior Lodge. A mainstay of camp, Senior Lodge features a knotty pine interior and log exterior. It is nested under the shady trees just a stone’s throw from the Climbing Wall and Athletic Field.

Sit back and enjoy the show…

Help welcome Will Dunmire, Staffing Coordinator to the camp family. To celebrate his arrival, we are running the Win with Will Welcome Contest. Click the link below to read all about him on the website. Then answer the quiz and be entered to win a cool prize.

Click Here for the Win with Will Contest

A New Home

by Will Dunmire, Staffing Coordinator

The Minnesota weather has been absolutely amazing this past month and what better way to celebrate than a road trip from the Twin Cities to Lake Hubert?

I spent last weekend up at camp. I ran into Marty (CL CLH Maintenance Manager) and his sons, Gray and Owen. They were excited to give me the full tour of both boys’ camp and girl’s camp. There are so many improvements in progress – remodeling, painting, building and more. More info soon!

It was amazing to see all of the projects that Bill Jones and the Fall Work Crews completed after the campers left. A special shout out to those camp counselors whose summer job lasted well into the autumn!

Every stone and building we walked by at Lincoln and Lake Hubert had a story to be told about it. Hearing about the amazing history and picturing campers sailing on the lake, earning archery awards, and making their way through the high ropes course truly instilled a feeling of ‘home’ in me. I didn’t think it was possible to be any more excited about my upcoming first summer at camp until spending the day with Marty.

Although the summer staff and campers have gone home for the winter, camp still feels very much alive. On both sides of the lake, the leaves on the trees are beginning to turn, but the grass is still green. It feels as though campers and staff should be arriving in just a few weeks. Instead, we will patiently wait for the first snowfall and continue to travel the country on the Camp Lincoln – Camp Lake Hubert Reunion and Movie Tour (be sure to check out the website and/or Facebook page for more details)

The 90 inches of snow that will fall between now and May is nothing more than a pebble on the road on the way to a perfect summer season. I cannot wait for Summer 2012 to meet all of you and truly make Camp Lincoln and Camp Lake Hubert “home”.