3 Real Ways You Can Change A Kid’s Life

As a kid, I was in almost every way average. That includes my average self-confidence. Once I was old enough to go to camp (about 6th grade) I was ecstatic. It was my first time away from my parents for an entire week. I was nervous but I couldn’t wait to have fun and make new friends.  Thankfully, I  wasn’t going to an unfamiliar place. I would be camping at Camp Blue Haven in Las Vegas, NM. I had been to the camp two or three times before with my parents when they volunteered to teach some classes before I was old enough to be a camper. After that first summer, I couldn’t get enough camp. Camp will change you, for the better, in every way.

Summer camp change

summer camp change

Summer camp was the week I looked forward to all year long. It was my happy place. A place that I truly and deeply felt that I could be myself and that I would always be accepted. Not only was camp a place where I could develop deep and meaningful relationships almost effortlessly while having a blast running around outside like a crazy person, I learned so much about myself, my peers and how to work through things on my own.

I, without question, would NOT be the same Micaela I am today without those experiences; camp creates positive change. They’ve made me a better person and I’m a FIRM believer that summer camp changes kids for the better. I mean, where else on Earth do kids have the freedom to dress like a pirate, unicorn or their favorite superhero for dinner, dine while screaming “elbows off the table” and then LOOK FORWARD to clearing the table and doing dishes with their cabin-mates. That’s the magic of summer camp. That magic encourages uniqueness, personal responsibility, and a will for everyone to have fun and be included.

Research, camp professionals, parents and psychologists agree that camp is an ideal environment for growth. Camp is designed with kids in mind. It's incorporates learning and fun into one experience and puts everyone on an equal playing field. The great thing about Youth Odyssey is that we do that not just at our summer camps but year round! When you sponsor one of our camps or an individual camper you get to changes lives in real ways. I've put together a list of 3 life lessons camp has taught our teens and myself. 

1. Positive Mental Attitude

As a camper, I was constantly told “you don’t have to wash dishes… you GET to wash dishes!” or whatever our cabin’s chore happened to be that day. Having a positive attitude was DRILLED into me as a camper and has been a theme at various other camps I’ve attended and worked at, including Youth Odyssey. This is an important skill for all youth to pick up at an early age! Having a positive attitude just simply makes life easier. When a teen understands that they can CHOOSE positivity and happiness they will see an improvement in all areas of their life. Youth Odyssey teaches just that and a week at summer camp is the best opportunity to pick up that habit for life, change for the better.

"I’ve learned to be an I CAN guy instead of an, IT’S TOO HARD guy.”Youth Odyssey Participant
summer camp change
“After every trip, everybody, whether they know it or not, leaves with a little piece of everybody else. To me every trip gives me something to look back on, and something to look forward to.”Youth Odyssey Participant
summer camp change

2. Self-Confidence

Camp was always a place I was unafraid to be me for two big reasons. The first, camp is a neutral environment away from popularity contests at school, away from bullies and other social pressures. The second was the overarching desire to create an inclusive environment. Despite what we’ve seen in movies (Parent Trap, cough, cough), summer camp is designed for campers and staff alike to develop a familial or tribal pride, if you will. Campers take care of each other and encourage one another when the going gets tough. In an environment where inclusion is a top priority, feeling comfortable enough to be yourself comes naturally.

When we are able to form strong and meaningful relationships, take risks by trying new things and be our true selves in tandem the result is a self-esteem booster like none other. Campers take this new found self-confidence with them and it is one of the best self-discoveries we are able to facilitate. In fact, the American Camp Association has done studies and 92% of campers say “The people at camp helped me feel good about myself.” Check out Youth Odyssey has helped change the lives some of our own kids and read what their parents have said about gaining self-confidence with Youth Odyssey…

“My daughter went to a camp one summer and had a wonderful experience...my daughter is a shy one and she came back with confidence”

“Y'all are my inspiration to go after what I want to do... I've grown in so many ways. I've also learned you don't have to change for some one else. Youth Odyssey changed me for the better.”

“You meet different people who aren’t in the same element and they act like their true selves. You don’t have to show anybody up or try to be better than everybody. When you are out there, you’re YOU.”Youth Odyssey Participant

3. Working hard & Never Giving Up

At Camp Blue Haven, there’s this award cabins can earn. It’s the ultimate honor and kind of a big deal. Cabins earned points all week for how well daily chores were done, how clean and tidy our cabin was and how many patches each camper in the cabin earned. All of this accumulated into The Master Camper award. I’m happy to share that I have been the recipient of this award and I still proudly own the t-shirt and patch that was given to me that night at campfire. To this day, I have never been a part of a more supportive, in sync and determined (albeit hell-bent) team than I have in the summer of 2009 with cabin 15.

Earning that award is how I learned to work tirelessly towards a goal and not just for myself, for my team. I was responsible for something bigger than just me. This experience isn’t unique to me or even to Camp Blue Haven. Youth Odyssey’s summer camps are designed to reinforce resiliency and personal responsibility to the whole group. We get to show kids all the amazing things they can accomplish when they work together and NEVER give up; to create change in themselves and others.

“We learned to make sure that your duties are always done to the best of your ability.”

“I learned how what you do can affect the people around you."

“I learned to work with a group and that I should help others so that when I need help I can depend on someone else."Youth Odyssey Participant
Summer camp change

The Bottom Line

Summer camp is a special place full of learning, growing and self-discovery! Youth Odyssey is so excited for summer this year. We expect to see lots of growth from our teens and have lots of fun in the process! If you are interested in getting involved, check out our homepage for more info. You can be part of the change that is happening right here in the Coastal Bend by sending or helping sponsor a teen today. Camp creates change, and Youth Odyssey is excited about being part of that journey!