Mentors are critical to the development of children and youth. And these positive relationships with mentors are developed and encouraged each year at camp.
The idea of a mentor is an ancient one. In Greek mythology, when Odysseus, King of Ithaca, went to battle in the Trojan War, he placed his friend, Mentor, in charge of his son and his kingdom. Today, a “mentor” has become synonymous with someone who imparts wisdom to and shares knowledge with a less experienced person. Mentoring relationships are special and often life-changing.
The camp experience is uniquely designed to foster these relationships. When counselors and camp staff engage with campers, they are not just teaching — they are using the core elements of positive mentoring relationships.
Camp counselors share and teach through stories and anecdotes.
They impart wisdom from their own successes and failures, and offer the insight that comes from experience.
Camp counselors model appropriate behaviors.
They show campers how to play fairly, show empathy, and win and lose gracefully.
Camp counselors guide campers through the learning landscape of life.
They teach the things that cannot be taught in school, such as how to live with others, how to build friendships, how to lead and how to work as a team.
Camp counselors support campers emotionally.
They offer reassurance when situations become difficult or overwhelming. Counselors are there to not only lend a hand but to help campers work through difficult moments and feel the sense of accomplishment that comes from conquering obstacles.
These relationships aren’t just a nice addition to childhood and young adult development — kids need them. They need nurturing mentors — people outside of their family that take an interest in who they are, root for their successes, and help them learn that failures are critical stepping stones on the path of success. Each year, for millions of children and youth, those relationships are developed at camp.