We are facing uncharted territory as we raise our kids in the remarkably rich but increasingly complicated digital age. Our kids spend less time outdoors and more time in structured activities; this means more hours in front of screens and less time working things out for themselves. Role models are better known for their falls from grace than for their strengths. The old-fashioned neighborhoods w
here kids once roamed freely are largely gone, and with it, the network of parents who kept an eye on each others kids. It can feel like we are in this parenting game all by ourselves. Summer camp can add a dimension to your child's life that’s hard to get during the busy school year. Camp offers a fun, healthy summer experience that gives parents and kids a break from daily routines, but we wouldn’t be doing this if it were only fun and games. We believe in the power of the camp experience to build social confidence, optimism, and independence while giving kids connections with, and adventures in, the natural world. Camp is also a way to give kids some of the important tools they’ll need for future success. From this stems a powerful sense of purpose: We provide the safest, most exciting, and most substantive summer camp experience through our personal attention to each camper, our caring attitude, and our competence. A cogent philosophy is even more important. While our campers are having a blast (it’s a lot easier to get their attention when they are relaxed and having fun), we are subtly reinforcing our 5 R's: respect, responsibility, resilience, taking reasonable risks, and reaching out to others. How do we accomplish this? We start with great role models who want to give back because they had powerful experiences at Adventure Treks and Camp Pinnacle in their youth. When someone who seems larger than life takes an interest in a child, it instills a wonderful sense of self-worth. Next comes a unique program. We turn off the electronics (we aren’t making a judgment; we just know kids need a break), slow down, enjoy nature, and engage in real-life conversation. We spend our days outside giving kids room to roam–sometimes freely–within a campus that’s both stunning and inspiring. We have endless activities where they gain real hands-on skills. Then we take them out of camp to climb rocks, play in waterfalls, and raft rivers. We also give kids some power over the direction of their cabin community. We carefully facilitate our time together and model face-to-face communication and solving differences as they arise. We reinforce kindness and good deeds with public praise. Every camper is recognized for the unique contributions they bring to the cabin group. And it works–friendships stick here, and camp is a place where kids discover their best selves. We won’t rest on our laurels. The world is changing, and kids are changing with it. We are always studying the latest youth development and education literature, and we are not afraid to take the best ideas from others and apply their thinking to Camp Pinnacle. We rely on 85 years of tradition–kids do need both a framework and a sense of tradition–but we also keep camp relevant to the digital world. In short, Camp Pinnacle is kid heaven and a great resource for parents. Parents can use all the help they can get these days, and we take great joy in being a helpful and useful part of your parenting. Please call us at 855-378-1928 or email [email protected]. We hope to begin a long-term relationship with your family and want to watch your kids grow up here.
