Back to School with Maine Camp Confidence

The new school year has begun, and hopefully everyone is rejuvenated and ready. We know that kids who attended Maine Camps this summer built some great life skills that will be useful in the school year, including:

Openness to trying new things - At Maine Camps, kids met kids from all over; they forged friendships with new people. Campers tried new activities, discovered new skills, tried new foods, and saw new places. They became part of a community as they lived communally in cabins, and learned the camp’s songs and special traditions. All this will help them transition into the new school year where they’ll have new teachers, learn new material, be in a different classroom and maybe even a new school, and have new people in their classes. They may be inspired to try new after-school activities like a new sport or try out for the school play.

Independence - This summer, Maine campers were “on their own.” Although they were well supervised by camp directors and counselors, they were away from their parents. They learned the lay of the land of the camp. They learned the camp’s schedule and how to get from activity to activity. They likely chose some activities they wanted to take. They may have chosen to play in an intercamp game or sign up for a camp trip. All these experiences will come in handy for them as students - learning their class schedule, getting around to their classes, participating in-school clubs and after-school activities, and more. They learn more and more who they are, what they want to pursue, where they excel, what they want to work on, and what makes them happy.

Confidence and Resilience - Maine campers will walk into school with more confidence than before. Campers took chances and felt successful from setting and achieving goals. Maybe they climbed to the top of a rock wall, or helped paint an amazing bunk plaque, or scored the winning run in the game which showed them what they’re capable of accomplishing. This will help them know that whatever challenges they face in school - like a hard class - they can do it! Kids also gained resilience at camp. Maybe they overcame not winning Olympics or Color War, but recognized that they still had fun and were happy to play. Maybe they didn’t win the sailing regatta or the equestrian competition, but they enjoyed participating and learned what they need to do better next time. Similarly, at school, kids will learn how to handle getting a grade they didn’t want and how to study and prepare better next time. 

Self Advocacy - Maine campers advocated for what they wanted and learned how to get it. For example, a camper who wanted to get into the next swim group talked to the head of swim to find out what she needed to learn and built her skills. Similarly, at school, a student will approach the teacher to learn how s/he can get the grade they want and work toward it. S/he may plan time with the teacher for extra help or inquire out about a potential extra credit project or ask about an opportunity to rewrite a paper that could use a boost.

These are just a few of the many ways Maine campers learned life skills at camp that will be applicable for the new school year and for years to come. We wish all our Maine campers a happy, successful school year, and we can’t wait to see you at Maine Camps for summer 2024!

Maine Camp Experience Resources & Tools

You can share your own Maine camps memories & expressions of gratitude on our Memories of Camp section of our website.

Looking for the perfect Maine camp for your child?  Try out our helpfultool where you can select a camp by choosing_: type of camp (girls, boys or coed) and session length (1-8 weeks).  It helps to narrow down a few camps to a manageable list that includes rates.  Then you can research these camps in more depth.  _

Next, be sure to contact our Maine Camp Guide, Laurie to discuss these camps as well as for free, year-round advice and assistance on choosing a great Maine summer camp for your child.