What my kids learned from going to Y Camp for more than one year

One of our Y Camp Moms, Kathlyn (whose three daughters have attended Y Camp for several years), recently shared with us some tips for making the camp experience even better for your kids.

Kathlyn also shared her thoughts on the benefits of attending camp for multiple years.

Here's what her kids learned from going to Y Camp for more than one year:

1. At first, when they were younger, they learned that they could go away from home for more than one night and have a blast. They learned how to get really dirty. And they started to learn about setting goals.

2. When they were a bit older, they learned how to get along with all kinds of different kids from all walks of life. They learned about how fun traditions can be as they came back to the same cabins and campfires and counselors and food.

3. As they got into middle school and junior high, they learned the importance of being true to the goals that they had set for themselves. They learned about responsibility for themselves, and for others. They learned that there are really amazing people around them who have risen above really bad circumstances. And they learned compassion and respect for kids who came from broken lives, and learned to help or applaud or just give a hug. They learned the importance of the chance to just be a kid.

4. As they became counselors-in-training and assistant counselors, they learned personal responsibility, the importance of being a role model to other kids, and the impact that one person can have in a child's life.

For all these gifts that the Y Camp gave my kids, I will be forever grateful.

Dispatches from 2011 Y Camp: Megan

All season long, YMCA Camp: Horsethief Reservoir campers and staffers are sharing their Resident Camp experiences with parents, camp alumni, prospective campers and Y Camp blog readers.

Below, we hear from Boise Youth Camper Megan:

What was your favorite thing you did yesterday?

Swimming, because they teach the strokes and let us jump on the water trampoline.

Did you try anything new yesterday?

The butterfly. I've never done it before. I didn't even know what it was!

Share something you have learned about yourself or others at camp.

That I'm a good swimmer.

Dispatches from 2011 Y Camp: Ian

All season long, YMCA Camp: Horsethief Reservoir campers and staffers are sharing their Resident Camp experiences with parents, camp alumni, prospective campers and Y Camp blog readers.

Below, we hear from Boise camper Ian:

What was your favorite thing you did yesterday?

Forest Adventure because I liked the game Predator and Prey.

Did you try anything new yesterday?

I played Predator and Prey. I was the last person found once.

Share something you have learned about yourself or others at camp.

That I like hiking.

Dispatches from 2011 Y Camp: Nicole

All season long, YMCA Camp: Horsethief Reservoir campers and staffers are sharing their Resident Camp experiences with parents, camp alumni, prospective campers and Y Camp blog readers.

Below, we hear from Cascade camper Nicole:

What was your favorite thing you did yesterday?

Getting my first blue rag.

Did you try anything new yesterday?

Walk through the forest blind-folded.

Share something you have learned about yourself or others at camp.

Everybody is really nice. They don't care about how anybody else looks, because we have all become friends the past week and now we're like sisters.

Dispatches from 2011 Y Camp: Marissa

All season long, YMCA Camp: Horsethief Reservoir campers and staffers are sharing their Resident Camp experiences with parents, camp alumni, prospective campers and Y Camp blog readers.

Below, we hear from Boise camper Marissa:

What was your favorite thing you did yesterday?

The Listen First activity because it let me get to know other CITs.

Did you try anything new yesterday?

The zipline.

Share something you have learned about yourself or others at camp.

That I am good at talking to kids that need help with something.

Dispatches from 2011 Y Camp: Jared

All season long, YMCA Camp: Horsethief Reservoir campers and staffers are sharing their Resident Camp experiences with parents, camp alumni, prospective campers and Y Camp blog readers.

Below, we hear from Meridian camper Jared:

What was your favorite thing you did yesterday?

Gold Mine, because you had to hide from the biffers and it gave you good exercise.

Did you try anything new yesterday?

I'm trying to be more independent.

Share something you have learned about yourself or others at camp.

It can be a really long ride up here but it's worth it!

Tips from a Y Camp Mom

One of our Y Camp Moms, Kathlyn (whose three daughters have attended Y Camp for several years), recently shared with us some tips for making the camp experience even better for your kids.

Here's one of Kathlyn's tips:

"Know that your kids are in amazing hands. The core values of the YMCA are really lived throughout the entire camp time. We raised three amazing girls who all have the wonderful ability to interact with people from all walks of life with caring and understanding, and with the gift of being able to look beyond the surface to what people are really like. I attribute a lot of this to the influences of the dedicated staff of the YMCA camps.

"It did not happen in just one year, but over the course of many years of attending camp, and then working as assistant counselors and counselors. When so many of their friends were attending fancy camps with ski boats and jet skis, they chose to continue to go back, year after year, to the Y Camp where they were encouraged to set goals for themselves and live their lives according to the core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility. YMCA camp became a part of who they are. I know that, some day, they will all send their kids to camp, too."

Want to hear more about the camp experience from a parent's perspective? Read our Quotes from Y Camp Moms (and Dads)!