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Conquering the Rock Wall at Camp Weequahic

March 27th, 2017

One foot in front of the other, don’t look back, stay focused, keep your eyes on your target. All of these are popular phrases we hear throughout our lives; timeless advice that encourages us to be persistent, dedicated and to face our fears. In many ways, when campers scale the daunting Rockwall, they hear and learn many of the same principles. Climbing the wall can be used as a metaphor for camp, and camp prepares kids and teen for the real world. Campers may think they’re just doing anther camp activity, but a lot of foundational and character work happens on the wall as well.

There are some things at camp that are easy, and some things that aren’t. Climbing the rock wall is hard work. It takes muscles and skills you aren’t used to using, it is unfamiliar and can seem overwhelming; f you’ve never done it before, you may feel like it is too much, too hard, or too scary. Camp can bring about many of the same feelings. In the beginning, it can feel like it is too much to take on or that you struggle to get a hold on this new and unfamiliar experience. You may lose your footing, have a slip-up, or even make a mistake that sends you a few steps backward. All of this uncertainty is part of the learning process, and with encouragement from friends, campers slowly begin to embrace the newness of climbing, and of camp and find the courage to step out of their comfort zone.

Another way climbing the rock wall is like camp is that as you go through the process, you learn things about yourself. As you get further and further up the wall, you learn that you are stronger, more capable, braver and more determined than you did when both feet were on the ground. You learn that instead of focusing on climbing the whole wall, you simply focus on the next move. Camp is the same way, as you spend your days at camp trying new things, you uncover parts of yourself that you never knew. You discover strengths and passions that you never knew existed, and you learn to enjoy the moment instead of worrying so much about the big picture. A lot of these principles are true for life as well. You learn a lot about yourself when you step out of your comfort zone, and when things feel overwhelming, focusing on the next right step can help any problem seem more manageable.

When you finally make it to the top of the rock wall, there is a sense of accomplishment that can’t be put into words. It makes you realize that with hard work, persistence and a good support system, you really can do anything. Finally making it to the top proves to yourself that ever when things look challenging or even impossible, you are strong and capable, as long as you put your mind to it. Most of the time, campers who make it to the top are eager to come down and climb again, this time with a new perspective and confidence. Similarly, most campers find themselves ready to come back and try the adventure of sleep away camp once the summer has come to a close. They are excited to take the journey again, even if it means there will be days and activities that are hard, even if it means they may make mistakes or feel frustrated, they know that the end result is worth all of the hesitation and fear, and the sense of accomplishment and the self-realization that comes from taking the journey.

Climbing the rock wall can be a life changing, eye opening, pivotal moment for many campers. It may be the firs time they’ve faced a fear, or it may be the boost of confidence that they need as they navigate the teenage years. Climbing the rock wall is more than just a fun summer camp activity, just like camp is so much more than a place to go when school is out. Climbing the rock wall builds strength, character, self-confidence, teamwork and encourages campers to face their fears, and the goal of Camp Weequahic is to do the same thing.

Get Out of Your Comfort Zone at Camp Weequahic

March 20th, 2017

It is pretty hard to step out of your comfort zone when you are literally in your comfort zone. Being in the comfort of your own home makes breaking your normal routine a little difficult. When you are at home, you find that you are always waking up in your same room, eating breakfast at the same place, going to the same places and hanging out with the same people who are doing the same things. Many people like routine; they enjoy the security of knowing what’s going to happen and when it’s going to happen and not having any surprises. Unfortunately, things can get very boring very quickly this way.

So when you make the decision to physically get out of your comfort zone, and head to camp for the summer, you have no choice but to do different things, with different people, in a totally different place. Breaking your usual routine is a little bit easier when you’re somewhere else.

Breaking up your routine is good for you for many reasons. First, it helps you to see things differently. It also help you to become more creative, more perceptive, and be OK with not being in control all the time. When you get out of your comfort zone, you are bound to make mistakes. The good thing about mistakes is that they are a learning opportunity. The more mistakes you make the more you learn. Doing things that make you nervous, afraid, or uncomfortable can be a great teaching tool. If you are normally an indoor sort of person, bike riding, rock climbing, or learning to sail may make you kind of nervous. However, trying these things exposes you to experiences that are new and exciting, and can teach you a lot about yourself.

When you expose yourself to things that are unfamiliar, it makes your brain work. When your brain is working, you’re constantly learning and growing. It is great brain exercise to step out of your comfort zone and do things that are a little different.

Another great benefit of breaking up your every day routine is that it also allows you to break bad habits. If you find that you are constantly biting your nails while you watch TV, you may be able to break that habit at camp since you will be too busy having fun to care about TV. If you have a bad habit of interrupting people, you will quickly learn to communicate more effectively by being surrounded by new people at camp. Breaking up your routine also causes you to break bad habits.

The great thing about stepping out of your comfort zone at camp is that you hardly have to do any work at all. Just by merely being at camp you are already taking the first step in changing your routine. Every morning when you wake up at camp, there is a new day ahead of you with new experiences to try, new people to meet, and new things to learn. Unless you sail, dance, create, climb, swim, bike ride, hike, and explore on a daily basis at home, being at camp is definitely going to be a change in your normal every day routine. It is going to require you to do things that make you a little nervous, but in the end will give you a boost of confidence.

Habit and routine can be comforting, and can be a great way to stay organized and on track. However, switching it up a little bit is good for your brain, good for your soul, and good for yourself confidence.

Snow Day at Camp Weequahic

March 17th, 2017

In middle March, with plans on putting our new Senior Camper building in the ground, we woke up to a big surprise. And then watched that surprise get bigger… and bigger… and bigger!

Just about three FEET of snow fell onto Camp Weequahic between March 14th and 15th. It was an impressive dump for so late in the year. Everything was covered. It would have made for some pretty incredible sledding!

And that leads me to this point for this Friday’s Campfire: you can figure out ways to make the best of almost any situation. There are really very, very few things I can think of when this idea does not apply. You know the phrase “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade?” Well… when life gives you three feet of snow, go sledding!

Now, I’m not suggesting that things won’t always be perfect. Three feet of snow certainly does put a damper on a few of our plans for the coming week. But does it help if we get all bent out of shape about things?

No, of course, it doesn’t.

We can get frustrated and stew for a bit. But, if you want to move forward and make the best of a situation, you’ve got to make some plans or workarounds. Sometimes we feel we have to be perfect and that everything needs to go exactly as planned.

Sometimes we feel we have to be perfect and that everything needs to go exactly as planned. Having run a summer camp for sixteen years, I can promise you very, very few things go exactly as planned. (Remembering my experiences when going through middle school, high school, and college only adds weight to that conclusion!)The important thing to remember is where you are trying to get to. If you are dealing with a friendship, you want to make that relationship awesome. If you are running a summer camp, you want to help families create great humans. (We do it by creating an amazing experience for everyone we meet through gratitude, attitude, and courage.)

The important thing to remember is where you are trying to get to. If you are dealing with a friendship, you want to make that relationship awesome. If you are running a summer camp, you want to help families create great humans. (We do it by creating an amazing experience for everyone we meet through gratitude, attitude, and courage.)

We’ll get through the snow just as we’ll get through anything we put our mind to. We will need to ask for help to get unstuck at times. And, sometimes, we have to use the tools available to us in creative ways. Sure, it may be a little embarrassing but those experiences are fantastic learning situations. Plus, you can laugh at yourself a bit which is always beneficial.

So, when plans don’t go exactly as you want, give yourself a few moments to be frustrated. Then, make a plan and move forward. In most situations, there are lots of ways to get things done. You just have to be creative. And, make sure to have a little fun along the way.

Have a great weekend,

Cole

(PS – As I finished up typing this, Jerry F., our long time Operations Director, facetimed me while walking around camp… in a tshirt! It seems Camp Weequahic can’t wait for summer!)

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