We have been busy with getting ready for summer, and thus neglecting our camp blog!  I’m (Eli) taking a break tonight to share with you some of my thoughts on youth development and camp, prompted by an interview I just heard on NPR with author David Brooks (http://www.npr.org/2011/03/07/134329412/david-brooks-defines-the-new-social-animal).

Brooks wrote the new book The Social Animal.  In the interview with NPR, he notes that “what really matters in people’s lives today is how they relate to one another.” 

When I heard that on the radio, I started talking back, excitedly. (If you follow my blogging, you might have read before about how I loudly profess my love for cute animals in the road, etc…  Same deal when I hear something on the radio I agree with.)  I asked the radio, “Where better to learn and develop skills for relating to one another than within the gentle, encouraging environment of summer camp?”

Naturally, the radio did not answer, but continued to discuss the importance of learning how to function in a group (“I.E. CAMP,” I shouted!) and how, “The most successful groups are the ones who take turns having a conversation” —-(like I was, with the radio—haha) —-“and are good at signaling each another.” 

The reason this excites me so much is that, as anyone who has worked at camp in recent years knows, I LOVE talking about friendship and group interactions.  One of my favorite things about camp is that kids get to be coached in friend-making skills while having an amazing time trying new things and working together.  So of course, any time the importance of my youth development work at YMCA Camp Ernst is validated (like by this author!), I feel good.

I’m on my way to order this book so I can read it.  If you’ve read it, or have more thoughts on youth development at camp, I’d love to hear them. 

Also, if you’re interested in this topic, check out the recent study sponsored in part by the YMCA of the USA “Hardwired to Connect.”

Ernstlove,

Eli

We’re The Y: For Youth Development, For Healthy Living, For Social Responsibility