Summer camp can be one of the most rewarding, unforgettable experiences in your life. Camp provides Scouts with a community of other caring Scouts who provide experiential education that leads to self-respect and appreciation for life. All of the outcomes - friendships, overcoming challenges, staying healthy and building character - prepare you for bigger, brighter lives down the road. In addition to great friendships and enduring memories, many important life skills are learned at camp. Here are five reasons Scouts should go to Napowan Adventure Camp:
1. To try new things. Camp pushes Scouts out of their comfort zone and exposes them to new activities and experiences that they may not be familiar with. Scouts get the opportunity to try out different things and discover new hobbies or passions. By exploring various types of activities, you have a greater chance of finding something that you excel at or that makes you happy.
2. To develop social skills. Camp teaches Scouts to communicate, to work together as part of a team and to be a leader. Leadership is developed by asking campers to fulfill responsibilities that may not be expected of them elsewhere, while sharing resources and attention helps foster teamwork and the desire to participate.
3. To face challenges and learn the value of hard work. Because they feel safe at camp, Scouts are comfortable taking healthy risks, setting personal goals and realizing their dreams. At camp, Scouts learn the importance of working hard to accomplish what they want and to never give up, all in a low-stress setting.
4. To build character. On top of making new friends, Scouts also develop an appreciation for the qualities required to cultivate and strengthen these relationships. Camp provides Scouts with the core values of a strong, moral individual by teaching them about ethics, honesty, caring, respect and responsibility. Parents frequently report that after camp, their Scouts are more kind, understand the importance of giving, are more equipped to stand up for what they know is right, and are willing to be more responsible.
5. To foster independence. At camp, Scouts learn the responsibility of making their own decisions with the safety net of insightful staff in a safe environment. Scouts can risk finding out what works and what doesn't, while discovering new facets of themselves. The camp environment provides peer support that allows Scouts to quickly overcome their need for constant parental dependency.
The main goal of Napowan is making sure Scouts have the time of their lives. Camp is a much needed break from the academic year where creativity, adventure, thrills, smiles and plain old good times are the priority!
Yours in Scouting,
Mr. Cooper