Camp as a 21st Century Skills Learning Environment
At our summer camp outside of Chicago, Illinois, we recognize the critical piece that a summer camp experience can play in the development of children and young adults in the 21st century. A recent blog by Andy Pritikin (Owner/Director of Liberty Lake Day Camp in New Jersey and the President of the American Camp Association, New York, and New Jersey) recognizes how a good camp program is critical to developing an important forward-thinking skill set.
Pritikin recognizes that child-rearing occurs in multiple ways: what parents teach their children at home, and what educators teach their children in school. He also recognizes the importance of the Free to Learn philosophy, and that when children are away from their parents and away from school is when they are most amenable and interested in learning. Below are some bullets summarizing his blog entry detailing how camp can play an important part in this freedom to learn.
PROBLEM: Too Much Technology Consumption
- The majority of American families do not institute (or uphold) rules to govern their children’s technology consumption.
- Most parents give their children technological gadgets thinking that it relaxes them, when in fact they are being greatly STIMULATED, suppressing their capability to control their emotions (self-regulate).
- Today’s children are less able to cope with challenging situations, as most lack resiliency and patience. Kindergarten teachers tell us how their students are no longer able to build large-scale projects, as they get frustrated and quit.
- The opportunity is out there for a digital detox in the sun, dirt, and sweat of summer camp–the only place that kids give up their phones, Xboxes, TVs, computers, and THANK YOU for it!
- In an unplugged environment, camp helps children develop emotional self-control, allowing them to find connections within themselves—a vital part of growing up. Camp also provides a unique environment for kids to learn how to share, co-create, and collaborate with one another, developing friendship skills along the way.
PROBLEM: 21st Century Skills NOT Taught in School
“21st Century Skills” are defined as the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to be competitive in the modern-day workforce. The Partnership for 21st Century Skills is a non-profit organization based in Washington D.C. which is comprised of some of the biggest, most successful businesses in the USA. The p21 organization researched and compiled a list of the specific skills that these companies seek in their new hires. The answers were not the “3 R’s” which our schools focus on, but “the 3 C’s”:
- Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
- Creativity & Innovation
- Communication & Collaboration
They also listed the following life skills as most important for their new employees:
- Flexibility & Adaptability
- Initiative & Self Direction
- Social & Cross-Cultural Skills
- Productivity & Accountability
- Leadership & Responsibility
Unfortunately, the wonderful teachers in our schools focus a major portion of their classroom time on preparation for standardized tests. School curricula does not measure collaboration, creativity, initiative, leadership, or responsibility—skills that are taught extensively at summer camp.
SOLUTION: Children’s Summer Camp
Below is a typical camp experience, acknowledging 21st Century Life Skills:
- Parents sign up their children for summer camp, children anticipate it for the upcoming months, having inner-conversations, keeping their emotions in check, and imagining what it will be like. (self-control, emotional control, self-distraction).
- Children take the bus or get dropped off at camp, breaking free of their parents and embarking on exciting new experiences (independence, initiative, courage, optimism).
- Children become part of a group/bunk at camp, sharing responsibilities and working together, all while being a good person. (teamwork, responsibility, accountability, integrity)
- Children participate in activities throughout their day, including swim, athletics, arts, and adventure. They try new things, listen to the staff members, and push themselves and their peers to new heights (aspiration, curiosity, respect, leadership).
- Children experience the ups and downs of making and keeping friendships (integrity, communication, adaptability, patience).
Camp is the ultimate “depth of knowledge” environment for teaching 21st Century Life Skills.
We agree with Andy Pritikin’s definition of camp as an excellent way to foster the 21st Century skills necessary for children and young adults to maximize their development. Please feel free to share your thoughts in the comments.