Kids Grow Better Outside
A camp session at Wildwood lasts just 5 days, but we often talk about Camp Wildwood being a 10-year program.
Why? We focus on having campers come back each year because the research shows increased benefits for campers each year they return, culminating in long-term benefits that will impact campers into adulthood.
What are these benefits? We’re glad you asked!
On a hot July day at camp this summer, I got to witness trauma-informed care in action. An eight-year-old camper sat on a bench outside the dining hall. He stared at his knees, head in his hands.
Seeing the sad camper, Robyn, Wildwood’s Executive Director, sat next to him.
“Hey, Mason. You look upset. Are you doing okay?”
Another camper ran up to the bench.
“No,” explained the camper, “Mason’s upset because there weren’t any apples left in the snack bowl today.”
“I didn’t get one yesterday either,” Mason chimed in.
“I can fix that!”
Mason didn’t think it would happen–there were only oranges in the snack bowl in the dining hall. But the walk-in refrigerator had plenty of apples.
When Robyn brought back an apple for Mason, his face lit up. He smiled wide and hugged her.
“Thank you!” Mason exclaimed.
“You’re welcome, buddy.”