Smarten Up and Attend Summer Camp
The buzz about gaining emotional intelligence at camp.

by Posie Taylor

TWEENS & TEENS News November 2006

Why consider summer camp? Perhaps you hope to become another Serena Williams or Tiger Woods. Maybe you are desperate for an alternative to town recreational programs and video games. Yet, there’s is another compelling reason to consider a high-quality summer camp, according to the child development experts at the American Camp Association. This reason, while it has been true for decades, is finally getting the attention it deserves. Summer campers learn vital life skills that help kids to grow— and make their lives healthier and happier all along the way.

It’s the new buzz word in educational theory that’s been at work in quality summer camps for years: Emotional Intelligence.

Want some scenarios that prove this point?

Jeremy and Tony are excited to go fishing. Their counselor helps them devise a way to share one rod fairly without arguing. Their new-found ability to share without anger carries over to their cabin and helps the pair to decide who will operate the only working flashlight.

At the beginning of camp, Sarah was too nervous to express whether she preferred hot dogs or burgers on the grill. Two weeks into the camp session, Sarah’s nature counselor watches with delight as this once-timid 9 year old competently organizes her camp friends into teams for a wildflower search.

Matthew and Eric spot Robert as he maneuvers the climbing wall. They yell encouragement, cheering on their camp friend, who, unlike his cabin mates, struggles with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. On opening day, these two teased Robert about his unstable walk and slow progress across the field. However, cabin discussions about disabilities, a counselor’s modeling of kindness and respect, and just spending time together have helped the three form a strong friendship.

Emotional Intelligence: Nature or Nurture?
These children all demonstrate sophisticated skills in areas scientists are currently watching closely. Observers are finding that a set of abilities, collectively called Emotional Intelligence, has much to do with how children grow and succeed. These skills— self-awareness, self-control and empathy, as well as the ability to wait (delayed gratification), listen, cooperate, share and work well with others— are considered better predictors of adult success and happiness than traditional IQ scores.

In Emotional Intelligence (Bantam), clinical psychologist and author Daniel Goleman makes two important assertions that many devoted campers may not find surprising. He reports on new research showing that children whose Emotional Intelligence skills are well-developed tend to be more successful at school, have deeper and healthier relationships, grow up to have more fulfilling work lives, and become valuable and contributing members of their communities.

Goleman’s second assertion is that these Emotional Intelligence skills can be taught. Children can learn and practice these valuable qualities under the guidance of thoughtful and aware adults— parents, teachers, counselors and youth leaders of all sorts.

The importance of this assertion is hard to overemphasize. Parents have long tried to teach qualities such as patience and politeness to their kids, but were never sure their teaching could overcome inborn capabilities. Certain life skills seemed innate. For example, many adults have assumed that the patience kids display naturally is probably most of the patience they could muster, or that kids are good or bad sharers, kind friends or bullies from birth. But, a group of researchers led by Howard Gardner, a psychologist at the Harvard School of Education, have proved otherwise. They have shown that thoughtful teaching, conversation, modeling and practice can develop and nurture these skills, especially when that teaching is consistent and continual.

The evidence is clear! There are ways that help kids grow up to be happy and productive. And summer camp is a vital part of the puzzle.

Real Challenges Build Resiliency
The best-kept secret in American education is that great camps have been teaching Emotional Intelligence since they began. Plus, because camps are free of the demands of curriculum and academic testing, camp professionals can focus on developing intangible aspects of the Emotional Intelligence cluster.

Kids away from home, with new friends and the challenges of camp, learn much about themselves, their own strengths and abilities. Perhaps the canoe doesn’t head where it should at first, or a cabin mate acts like a bully. Away from the familiarity of home and school, campers test their own perseverance, and, with caring guidance, build new life skills. Facing these challenges brings true self-esteem, the kind that is earned.

Social skills also grow exponentially at camp. A campfire marshmallow roast is an exercise in sharing sticks and a coveted position around the campfire. Similarly, when campers take turns carrying supplies to the top of the mountain, they learn firsthand the fun and benefits of teamwork. A good counselor reminds her young marshmallow roasters and hikers of such lessons during the campfire or the climb, when the message is fresh.

Parents are amazed at the clear progress their kids make during even a short time at camp. A parent of a 10-year-old boy comments in a camp evaluation: “Living in such close quarters was not without its challenges for Roger, but he is much more able to handle social challenges at school since his return. And he came home just generally a nicer boy in all respects.” Another parent explains, “Of course I am glad my girls had fun and learned some new skills, but their new-found maturity and caring for each other was really what I had hoped would happen.”

Teachable Moments at Camp
Summer camps work hard to train staff in modeling and teaching Emotional Intelligence skills. Camp directors hire staff with strengths in these areas over candidates who are merely athletes or coaches. Camp counselors can serve as wonderful role models for kids, because they are often closer in age than teachers, and the informal camp atmosphere encourages relaxed conversations at barbecues or while getting ready for bed.

In addition, there are usually more counselors in a bunk than teachers in a classroom, allowing more interaction than one lone teacher can possibly supply. And every interaction is a potential teaching moment for essential life skills.

When tweens and teens find adult friends at camp who model perseverance, listening, teamwork and tolerance, they set high standards for behavior. When kids feel appreciated and valued by camp friends, they feel more secure of their ability to live happily away from home. Successful camp summers can also help smooth the transition to college in later years.

Lessons: After Camp and Beyond
When campers return home from camp, parents can help to keep developing summer skills throughout the year. Believe it or not, chores are often a great teaching opportunity at home. Parents who model working together as a family to get jobs done reinforce vital lessons from camp, like how all bunk mates are responsible for keeping the cabin clean.

Parents can also make sure that teachers and caregivers understand the importance of teaching Emotional Intelligence skills. Do teachers, for example, assign projects and tests in a way that breeds fierce competition, inhibiting students from participating or even caring about how their friends fare? Do coaches reward only the most aggressive players and talk of winning at all costs?

Afterschool activities and other year-round programs can also help reinforce positive ideals acquired at camp.

With the spotlight finally where it belongs, on Emotional Intelligence gained at camp, quality summer camps should continue to thrive and enhance tweens and teens’ lives for generations to come.

To learn more about camp and child development, please visit the American Camp Association’s family Web site: www.CampParents.org. For information about ACA camps, call (800)428-CAMP (2267) or visit www.CampParents.org.

Posie Taylor serves as president of the American Camp Association, New England. She is the executive director of the Aloha Foundation, Inc. and oversees the Foundation’s camps and outdoor education programs in Vermont.