2005 Year in Review

Give the Unique Gift of Camp

In his 2005 book, Camp, Michael D. Eisner, former CEO of The Walt Disney Company, describes the character building and emotional growth gained through his experiences as a camper and counselor at summer camps. He learned to take responsibility, learned about tradition, learned about winning and losing, and grew to become a successful adult as a result of the challenges of the camp experience. He said the skills developed at camp will allow you to endure "Hollywood antics and boardroom politics."

"Your child's life will most likely not require dealing with Hollywood antics," says Judy Taylor, University of Illinois Extension youth development educator, "but it will still require working together with others, taking appropriate risks, and negotiating other sundry relationship potholes." Though few would argue that a summer camp is the complete answer to a child's social and emotional development, one can make a case for the unique opportunities summer camp provides.

Why a summer camp article in December? Between now and summer vacation, you may be one of many adults wanting to select a gift for a child, grandchild or other special young person. One unique gift a child is sure to remember, as well as gain skills they'll use for life, is a camping experience.

The 2006 4-H Camp schedule at Western Illinois Youth Camp, on Lake Jacksonville includes Camp Sneak a Peek, June 11-13 for 8-12 year olds who have not attended before; Adventure Camp June 18 – 22 for 8-12 year olds; and Teen Adventure Camp for 13-16 year olds.

So if you'd like to give the gifts Eisner describes, contact your local University of Illinois Extension office to secure a reservation form or log on to Illinois 4-H Special Opportunities to download a copy of that form. After you send this form to camp with the registration fee, a camp gift certificate is sent either to you or the camper within two weeks.

Mr. Eisner's stories reflect the notion that camp provided an invaluable starting point for his adult life. He learned many "life lessons" at camp that helped to shape him into the person he is today. You can have a hand in helping your favorite young person develop into a competent, contributing, caring adult–by giving a camp gift certificate.

by  Editor, theCity1.com
December 13, 2005