Outdoor school, the big camping trip - those 6th graders are going to embark on a weeklong adventure in the outdoors. Each student, no matter what social standing, is headed to the great equalizer: the wilderness. Yet, this is not happening for all. As a matter of fact, it is not happening - yet.
A lot of talk has been placed on the social emotional learning of a child and the equity platform in education. While wonderful programs are being created and the buzz is in the air, we have to stop and consider something. The picture cannot be painted if you don’t have a canvas to lay down the work. What did our leaders receive that made them the wonderful people they are today? What canvas in the late 90’s and before were priority then and not today? The truth is, some things in education we had right and turned away from - one of which was the camp experience.
To those who became leaders, was it the support from peers, the bonding, and coming together that helped you become who you are? Thinking back, you were not taught to make a friend. It isn’t in lesson plan number 7 to connect deeply with your classmates. Somehow it naturally took place. What did it lead to? It made you get up and go to school, which made for better attendance. It made you have study groups so you would have higher test scores. It motivated you to walk down the aisle to reach your graduation! Those classmates also helped you decide your career, which college to attend, and even helped you when you were down - perhaps even when substance abuse, suicide, or running from home was on the mind. They were there - they were the love needed to carry on and pursue happiness. Our leaders today most certainly received and have just that: peer support.
Let's get back to that weeklong experience, the root of the creation of peer support. In the midst of the camping experience, the "blank canvas" can be presented. Just as the essentials of camp are air, water, food, shelter, and sleep, so is the camp experience a basic necessity of equity and SEL. It is the same for everyone at camp. The gracious piece is having these items together creating companionship and community naturally.
In the movie Cast Away, Tom Hanks screamed out for his man-made volleyball friend, “Wilson!!!” for a reason: the importance of companionship to human existence. The campfire bowl, the late-night giggles, the comforting of homesickness, the bond of lifelong friendships - these all come with the weeklong experience where kids come in skeptical and uncertain and leave prepared, inspired, and supported. It has been proven that a week at camp shows higher test scores, attendance, and graduation rates. All from just one week of camp!
Many of us who are parents now were given this outdoor camp opportunity to some degree and know the benefits. Unfortunately today, kids nationally spend on average 10 minutes outside and 8 hours on a screen. Our children’s health is in jeopardy. Something happened that turned our focus away from the well being of our children. After the 90s, many budget cuts in schools across the country eliminated camp week. Camp was seen as a luxury, when it turns out it was actually essential. The good news is, we know it works, you know it works, and all we have to do is pivot our priorities to get back in the game. Start by visiting our brand new Outdoor School for All website.
The camp experience guarantees our children several things. They'll receive peer support to deal with the challenges of our future. They will be exposed to new skills that are focused on an evolving work force. They will get to know stewardship and develop empathy for the environment and natural resources. They will likely return home a different human being--the one you hoped they would become. Independent, humbled, and ready.