Summer Is Auesome!
Memories of summer camp hold exceptional places in so many hearts. Even once we’ve grown up and moved away, these times are among the fondest childhood memories for us. Distinct details like the games we played, the adventures we had, and the places we have been to are what we remember most as adults looking back on summers at camp. The real heart of these memories, though, is the sense of fun and bonding that we shared with friends.
Everyone is ready for relationships; we don’t need a program, or a pre-friendship course. Friendships and social connections are a right and fulfill a deep human need and longing for connection. We all come from all different walks of life and with very different life experiences that shape our friendships with others. For some, social skills come very naturally, easily moving to and from friendship groups, sharing their experiences, and opening up to new people. For others, the world of friendships can be much harder to navigate.
For new campers especially, camp can be extremely intimidating on the first day; new people, new surroundings, and a whole new routine that they aren’t used to. Allowing campers to customize their camp T-shirts can instantly contribute to a shared sense of belonging. We want them to know right away that they’re in the right place, they belong here, we’re happy to have them, and that all of the other campers are a lot like them. The T-shirt means that campers and staffs are officially part of one big united family: our Auesome family.
Long school breaks are often synonymous with stagnation, as students lose focus, get bored, and lose their educational, creative, and physical momentum. To boost and keep the momentum going, each activity at Auesome Place is carefully crafted to give campers the chance to learn new concepts. Campers become more receptive to learning new concepts when they experience the emotional well-being and stability obtained through friendships. They learn, in a tangible way, the importance of cooperation and how it enables the members of a group to achieve an important goal. They develop self-confidence; not because someone tells them they are good, but because they experience success first-hand through teamwork.
Social inclusion plays a critical role for youths to be able to become valued and contributing members of society. At Auesome Place, we recognize that each camper, regardless of abilities, is a contributing member of our community. They have a purpose. Empowering students to practice kindness and create positive relationships with one another is a worthy goal. From being a good friend to helping clean up after lunch, Auesome campers know that they are valued and needed.
When campers feel a sense of purpose, they are able to adapt – and help each other build their inner resilience and adaptability – to any new circumstance. We have witnessed resilience demonstrated over and over again during the workshop. We genuinely hope that the experiences campers have at Auesome Place will help them each day, in every facet of life, all year long. While goodbyes may be tough, next summer is always right around the corner!
In every initiative which Auesome Place has worked to reach out in promoting friendships and creating new opportunities for our students, the work was championed by dedicated people who made this their focus. Projects took different approaches, sometimes utilizing existing team members, sometimes recruiting, sometimes reframing each of our responsibilities and roles. The focus, regardless of the model used, involved the purpose of building bridges between Auesome Place and the community.
Inclusion was where we began. Belonging is what we need to strive for as it offers the joy and celebration of lives embedded in a rich circle of relationships that honor us as whole beings. Creating a culture of caring and mutual respect among all members of the community means putting relationships first. If you believe, as we do, in the power, potential, and necessity of emotional supports, social connections, and relationships, then you are ready to begin and embark on this meaningful journey with us.
What is important is that the conversations begin.
