It’s Alright to Cry
During camp this summer, we post pictures daily, so that “childsick” parents can get their daily fix of vicariously enjoying their child’s camp experience. Most of the time, that strategy also gives us as campadministrators the side benefit of minimizing concerned parent phone calls, since folks get to enjoy the picture-worth-a-thousand-words pleasure of seeing their child’s enjoyment. Every now and then, our picture posting inadvertently causes a parent concern, such as once when a picture showing happy campers on a challenge hike also showed a crying camper in the background. While seeing your child crying can cause a well-intentioned parent some concern, we actually embrace tears at camp (and sometimes intentionally bring them about…).
Tears happened quite often throughout the 6 weeks of our girls and boys Kupugani camps. Tears occur for many different reasons—joy, fear, sadness, relief, fatigue. Some might think crying is a sign or indication of defeat or failure and it should be discouraged. At camp, we emphasize the opposite; we encourage crying at camp because of all of the aspects of growth it showcases.
When Team Building activities or evening programs elicit tears, it indicates an air of connection, resiliency, and trying new things. Often times, campers reach a point where they feel pushed to their limits. When we draw campers out of their comfort zones, it can provoke discomfort and frustration, and sometimes tears. After the tears are shed, campers are able to get right back into the swing of things, either go back to the evening program or try the activity once more. At the brink of giving up, they rise up and try again! Crying elevates our mood, relieves stress and the tears help us see more clearly, literally and figuratively—sometimes showing us something we did not see before. Another reason campers may cry is because they are searching for support in whatever they are doing, and as a staff team, we are readily available for them to rely on for encouragement and positive support!
So the next time your child cries, don’t look at the negative aspects of it, but think of all the silver linings of your child’s tears. Delve deep and see the obstacles your child is overcoming!