Happy Thanksgiving from Iroquois Springs

This is the week I get to dust off the “Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” DVD, get cozy with the kids, and watch Snoopy whip up a Thanksgiving dinner of popcorn, candy and other treats for the Peanuts gang.  I love this tradition in our house, and getting ready for a day filled with family and friends, to eat, give thanks and celebrate being together.  In light of recent events, there are many families that may be feeling frazzled and unable to focus on the joy of the holiday.  Thoughts of rebuilding homes and lives after much loss and hardship may be the focal point this holiday season.  Many families may not have the luxury of watching their favorite Thanksgiving Day show or enjoying a home cooked meal in their own kitchen….but Thanksgiving may be a nice reprieve to take a moment to be thankful for what they do have and the people who love and support them.  It’s not always easy to feel thankful in times of hardship, but being thankful in hard times is what Thanksgiving is all about.  H. U. Westermayer wrote “The pilgrims were impoverished and struggled through much hardship, but they set aside a day for giving thanks, a day that has become our Thanksgiving”.  This Thanksgiving may be quite different from what was ever imagined, but taking a moment to appreciate things like our health, family, friends, jobs….can go a long way in times of struggle. 

The spirit of Thanksgiving is also about giving…showing gratitude for your good fortune and giving to those who are less fortunate.  Gratitude instills feelings of hope, inspiration and forgiveness.  And this year has been exceptional, with so many individuals and organizations from all over giving back by donating, volunteering, and providing support to those who have fallen on hard times. This has been a moment in time when children have considered the world outside their reality and developed greater empathy and compassion.  We have all learned a lot from Hurricane Sandy and can feel grateful for the lessons learned.  Because at the end of the day, houses will be rebuilt and lives will return to normalcy, but the lessons will exist far beyond the repairs.  This Thanksgiving, I think we all have a greater appreciation for what we have as well as what we can give back. 

We hope that all of our campers are thankful for so many things, but especially their amazing camp friends…counselors that make the camp experience so special….being a part of the Iroquois Springs community…how safe camp makes you feel…and most importantly taking part in the Project Morry Swim-a thon and allowing others to enjoy the camp experience.  We are thankful for all our camp families and wish you all a safe, happy, and healthy Thanksgiving. 

 “Thanksgiving, after all, is a word of action”.     W. J. Cameron

Communities Coming Together

We hope this blog finds you safe and secure after a very trying past couple of weeks.  Hurricane Sandy and the Nor’easter that followed, has changed the lives of so many people throughout the area.  While some communities were lucky enough to have minimal damages and inconveniences of lost power or fallen trees, others have been devastated by flooded streets and lost homes.  Hurricane Sandy has impacted neighborhood homes, schools, hospitals and places of business. The images and stories have been heartbreaking and the recovery is going to be long and tiring for communities that have been directly affected by this powerful force.   In times like this, of devastating proportion, it is amazing to see the outpouring of kindness and support of those who want to help out and provide assistance to those in need.  People from all over are donating clothing, food, toiletries, batteries, money and time to try and make the recovery a bit smoother for those who have lost so much.  Though nothing is good about tragic times, and we wish they didn’t have to happen, the one positive thing is the lesson of giving.

Times of difficulty can provide wonderful teaching moments about the value of pitching in and helping those who are struggling.  They provide us with an opportunity to teach our children the importance of community service and helping those in need.  It’s not uncommon for children to be living in a “me” world and not understand that things happen outside of their universe.  Taking part in community service teaches compassion, understanding and empathy.  It teaches valuable life skills like teamwork and communication.  It teaches us to be thankful for what we have and teaches tolerance and respect for others.  Community service instills a sense of responsibility and a feeling that one person can make a difference.  Learning to pitch in and help out will be remembered for a lifetime.  In years to come, children may not remember how many days the lights were out, but will remember the acts of kindness they and their community provided.

The organizations that provide relief efforts are (thank goodness) plentiful.  The American Red Cross, Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity, Catholic Charities USA, Humane Society, Jewish Federations of North America, and City Harvest are just a few in the vast number of organizations that are devoted to helping those in need. But it is also the local neighborhood efforts that make a difference.  Communities are uniting to collect supplies like clean socks and toothbrushes.  Fundraising drives are being held to raise money for everyday necessities.  Families are donating their toys to children who have been displaced from their homes and staying in local shelters.  Every act of kindness makes a difference and is appreciated. 

From all of us at Camp Iroquois Springs, we hope you are safe and are being given the support you need during this difficult time.  We wish everyone the best and have you all in our thoughts.  

The Benefits of Overnight Camp

If you grew up attending overnight camp, you have first-hand experience of the positive effects camp can have on a young person, and most likely want that for your children.  You already know about living in the great outdoors, making lifelong friends and experiencing the many activities and challenges camp has to offer.  But what if you are someone who did not get to experience overnight camp life, and want to know more about what camp is all about before sending your children on this adventure?  You have probably heard from friends and people in your community, how positive a camp experience can be, and it’s true.

For starters….Camp gives children a sense of belonging.  Campers are brought together, to communicate, work together, learn about one another, and develop true friendships.   Campers act as a team to keep their cabin clean, win a group challenge or help a friend achieve a goal.  They learn the give and take of a group setting and rely on each other for support and guidance. The natural result of belonging to a community and working together is not only improved social skills but improved problem solving skills and leadership qualities.

A sense of belonging and having true friends leads to facing fears and taking on new challenges.  Having the support of friends and staff that have your back and encourage you to try new things in a safe environment, can be the extra push campers need to test their own limits and accomplish things they never thought possible.  Campers are exposed to activities they may have never tried before, such as water skiing, horseback riding, skateboarding, outdoor adventure or acting in the camp play.  Each accomplishment builds self-confidence.  Research has shown that true self-esteem comes not from what other people say, but from overcoming obstacles and developing skills.  With the assistance and guidance of specialists at camp, children learn to master different skills and accomplish goals.  There is no better feeling than getting up on water skis for the first time, or reaching the top of the climbing wall.  Each success further builds their self-confidence and willingness to take on new challenges.

Increased confidence and self-esteem leads to newfound independence, and a willingness to take on responsibilities.  Each morning campers choose what they are going to wear, what they are going to eat, and what electives they are going to choose.  Even if it is a camper’s first time making decisions, they do come to rely on themselves if given the opportunity.  Responsibilities at camp, like making your bed each morning, increases awareness of what needs to be done at home.  When children return home from camp, many parents say they are more mature and more responsible than when they left for camp.   

And of course, camp offers an increase in physical activity and healthier lifestyle, while reconnecting with nature. Camps that do not allow electronic devices give campers a chance to slow down and refocus on what is all around them.  When campers are participating in an activity, they are fully focused on that activity, free from the distractions of texting, emailing, or using Facebook.  Camp brings everyone outdoors and increases awareness and appreciation of both nature and one another.

These examples are just a handful of the positives that a camp experience can bring.  It is a chance for young people to have fun, broaden their horizons, and develop life skills that will be with them throughout adulthood.  

Happy Halloween

It’s the end of October and that means only one thing to most children…Halloween is here!!!!  Halloween is one of the most anticipated holidays of the year.  Children get to dress up in costumes (some they have been dreaming about since last Halloween), go trick-or-treating, attend school and community parties, carve jack-o-lanterns and decorate with scary images of ghouls and witches.  Halloween is a time of celebration and superstition.  It is thought to have originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off roaming ghouls.  Like many other holidays, Halloween has evolved and changed throughout history.  More than a thousand years ago, November 1^st was names All Saints Day, also called All Hallows.  The night before All Hallows was called Hallows Eve.  Later the name was changed to Halloween. Over time, Halloween evolved into a secular, community based event characterized by child-friendly activities. 

The history of Halloween may have its roots in ancient religion and folklore but for today’s children, it’s all about the fun.  Halloween is no longer limited to just costumes and candy, the events and activities are often a highlight of the Fall season, and a time for families to be together.  There are farms and festivals on every corner, where you can pick pumpkins, go through corn mazes, take a hay ride, get spooked in a haunted house and buy endless amounts of decorations.  Halloween is the second largest commercial holiday, with people spending approximately $6.9 billion a year.  But regardless if you go all-out on store bought costumes, or get creative and make your own, Halloween does happen to be a wonderful time of year for children and adults alike.  We may not get dressed up in costumes as we get older, but we’re never too old to enjoy the season and sample the candy that has been collected.  Enjoy and be safe.  Happy Halloween!

Overcoming Failure Builds Character

I remember the first time I saw bumpers being used at the bowling alley.  You’ve seen them; the walls that go up to protect the ball from going in the gutter.  I have to admit, I was a bit outraged.  Being somewhat competitive, I thought that it was “cheating”.  That the bowler was not really earning the score they were getting, learning any skill or feeling a true sense of accomplishment.  Maybe it was silly to react to something so trivial, since the kids were having a good time playing and knocking down the pins, but it still didn’t sit well with me.  After all, what is so terrible about the ball going in the gutter?  Won’t it just teach children to learn to bowl and feel a sense of accomplishment when they do knock down the pins?  I also think the bumpers didn’t sit well with me because it gives the message that we don’t trust our children to accomplish anything on their own.  Okay, I will move on from the bowling alley bumpers, but it got me thinking about the bigger picture and how today’s children are protected from so many life experiences that will help them to grow and become resilient adults. 

It is natural to want to protect our children and make their lives as comfortable as possible, but maybe a little discomfort could be to their advantage.  Paul Tough, in his book, How Children Succeed: Grit, Curiosity, and the Hidden Power of Character, notes “we have an acute, almost biological impulse to provide for our children, to give them everything they want and need, to protect them from dangers and discomforts both large and small.  And yet, we know – on some level at least – that what kids need more than anything is a little hardship: some challenge, some deprivation that they can overcome, even if just to prove to themselves that they can”. 

As parents, we of course have the best of intentions, and operate from a place of love, but we may need to take a step back and let our children take on challenges and let the chips fall where they may.  Working towards a goal, and earning the reward (especially when it is challenging) teaches perseverance and the courage to try something new.  It builds character and teaches self-reliance for the next obstacle that may arise.  I am constantly encountering situations where I have the urge to take care of things for my children.  To make sure they do not experience any discomfort or upset.  Do I correct the homework… tell the coach to give my son more playing time… speak to the kid on the bus who is name calling?  And then I take a step back and realize that there is no problem to fix.  My son is checking his answers with the teacher and learning from his mistakes.  The coach is learning more about my other son’s abilities on the field and is giving him more time as the season progresses.  My daughter has spoken up for herself and is now friendly with the student that was name calling.  When equipped with the right tools, they are capable of working things through and trusting themselves to do so.  I’m sure I will be faced with trickier situations that may require me to step in and advocate for my children, but hopefully I will have the awareness to guide them as best I can, and then have faith in them to overcome any obstacle.