‘Intentionally rustic’ summer camp experiences shape children’s independence

Parents have more choices than ever when it comes to
keeping the kids occupied over the summer. There are
soccer camps, computer camps, skateboarding camps and just
about anything else you can imagine.

You might have gone to an overnight summer camp as a kid,
stuck in the woods with a bunch of strangers who quickly
become your summer family. It is something that has been a
part of Hidden Valley Camp Director Todd
McKinlay’s life since he was just a kid himself.

“Our family has been a part of camp since the summer of
1973. I’ve been up here every summer in one way, shape or
form,” says McKinlay.

Hidden Valley is a co-ed summer camp near Granite Falls.
They host kids from age seven through high school and
include the traditional camp staples: Arts and crafts,
swimming, horseback riding and all-camp bonfires.

What you won’t find at Hidden Valley are mp3 players, cell
phones, or video games.

“We call ourselves intentionally rustic. Most of our
living situations are platform tents, so they’re kind of
like small cabins,” says McKinlay.

Even camp staff members stay in the platform tents, but
they don’t seem to mind. McKinlay says a lot of the people
who work at Hidden Valley were once campers there
themselves.

“I often times ask a question during interviews about who
their role models are, and almost always they bring up a
camp counselor who they had when they were at camp and
what that meant to them,” McKinlay says. “That community
piece is definitely huge.”

The ability for younger kids to create an inter-
generational bond with college-aged kids is good for them,
according to Dr. Peter Scales.

Scales works with the nonprofit Search Institute studying child
development. He says traditional, overnight camps can help
kids develop a sense of independence, but only if they are
ready.

“You’ll know as a parent if your child is comfortable and
already ready for that kind of experience,” says Scales.

He says day camps are a great way to introduce younger
kids to the idea of a summer camp; usually around third or
forth grade they are ready to make the leap to an
overnight experience.

“Personally, I feel there is a benefit to having that kind
of experience, but again timing is everything,” says
Scales.

He says the most important thing you can do when deciding
what type of camp fits your family is not to tell your
child what they should be doing but allow them to be part
of the process. He says camp should be focused on fun.

Back at Hidden Valley, the bugle calls the campers for
breakfast. It is another day to swim, ride, sing and relax
and another chance to create the kinds of friendships that
can last a lifetime.

“There’s a lot of friendships that get formed up here, and
future summers when they attend there’s a place on the
registration where they can request people to be with.
Often times, they have kind of a core group that grows up
together at camp,” McKinlay says.