In my last blog, I alluded to all the innovations Sewataro has committed to in 2010, and I promised to reveal some of our behind-the-scenes thinking about each change. Let’s begin with our initiating two-week sessions for the first time in Sewataro’s fifty year history.
For a number of years, we saw other camps go in this direction, but we were reluctant to follow their example because we felt that ideally the fullness of the camp experience required time for each of the groups to bond into a cohesive unit of friendship and cooperation, as well as time for children to discover a side of themselves that might be different from their school/home selves. Another reason we hesitated is that we believed that one of the goals of camp is growth in ability, i.e., a process of developing skills whether they be at tennis, swimming, archery, or any of the activities; and ideally such growth is more likely to occur in four weeks or eight weeks than in two weeks.
Although we still believe that the four and eight week camp experiences are ideal for children, everyone does not live in the ideal world. Increasing demands on our children’s time and competing attractions for our children’s attention during the summer do not always leave time for a longer camp experience. After talking with a number of parents, we came to realize that families’ schedules and commitments call for more flexibility on our part, and we need to support our camper families. Another aspect of less-than-ideal contemporary reality, of course, is economic. For some, the cost of camp has become a strain, and we wanted to find a way to share the benefits of Sewataro with as many as possible. Two-week sessions are a step in that direction.
So our offering of two-week sessions this year is a recognition of the reality of changing times. And yet, while we must be realists, we continue to be idealists, maintaining the same goals in our two-week program as we have always had in our four and eight week programs. It is only the degree of accomplishment that may be diminished. Two-week campers will experience the same degree of fun and be exposed to the same variety of activities as our four and eight week campers. And we are committed to instilling in the them our characteristic spirit of teamwork, cooperation, and unity, just in a more concentrated way. During counselor training this year, we will be addressing this very thing, exploring ways to accomplish our goals within the shorter time span.
Can we do more in eight weeks than in four? Sure. Can we do more in four weeks than in two? Of course. Regardless of how long the session, however, Sewataro will continue to be that special place it always has been: a spectacular place of natural beauty with a unique blend of spirit, variety, care, commardarie, and enthusiasm.
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