Why We Do This Work
The Purpose, Power, and Responsibility of Summer Camp
I am a summer camp professional. For most of my adult life, I have devoted myself to this calling, to the experience of camp and the extraordinary outcomes it provides for young people.
Those of us in the camping world are a tight-knit community. We are bound not just by shared logistics, seasonal rhythms, or job descriptions, but by a deep sense of purpose. Yes, there’s healthy competition and a bit of pride that comes with running a great program. But when we come together – whether at conferences, on phone calls, or in quiet solidarity – we recognize something sacred in one another: a genuine passion that comes from being part of something meaningful.
Camp professionals are educators of a different kind. They can lead songs around a campfire and fix a hot water heater. They can comfort a homesick 10-year-old and reassure a nervous parent. They can inspire a team of 22-year-old counselors, change a tire on the side of a remote road, and then perform a juggling act at the evening talent show. In each other, we see this unique blend of grit, grace, and heart. And perhaps most importantly, we understand the profound responsibility we carry: the responsibility of caring for other people’s children.
That responsibility is sacred – and heavy. Couple it with the realities of a litigious society, and one might reasonably ask: Why do we do it?
We do it because we believe in what camp does for children.
For more than a century, camp has been a pillar of American childhood. From coast to coast, generation after generation, kids have gone to camp to find themselves. To grow in confidence. To experience independence. To form friendships that outlast the summer. During my time as CEO of the American Camp Association, I had the chance to visit camps across the globe. And everywhere I went, I saw one thing clearly: the American summer camp is not only iconic, it is the gold standard. Other countries aspire to what our camps accomplish every summer.
But camp is not about s’mores and songs alone. The most powerful outcomes of camp are intangible. They’re found in the resilience that grows when a child overcomes homesickness. In the joy of unplugging and being fully present. In the subtle, lasting sense of purpose that is forged in nature, among peers, without the constant presence of parents.
And while some may see what we do as fun and games, the past ten days have reminded us, starkly, of the true weight of our work. A tragedy at any camp is a tragedy for us all. And the heartbreaking loss in Texas has shaken our entire community. Those children. Those counselors. Those families. Those directors. We grieve for them. And we grieve for the loss to the institution of camp, a place we hold so dear.
Catherine and I have dedicated our careers to camp. But more than that, we are parents ourselves. With four children under the age of 17, we wrestle with the same questions all parents face. We worry. We wonder. We want to get it right. And like every parent, we hope our kids are growing into strong, kind, and capable human beings.
I tell our staff often: parental worry is simply love in disguise. And yes, even I, the one leading the charge, refresh the photo feed to see how my own children are doing in our programs.
When friends or fellow parents ask me what they should look for in a camp, I always begin with two disclaimers:
Disclaimer 1: Camp is historically a very safe experience. But no camp, and no school, no sport, no activity, can guarantee complete safety. If one does, I would run the other way. The best camps don’t promise perfection. They promise vigilance. They work tirelessly to reduce risk and prevent the preventable.
Disclaimer 2: Camp is essential. It is one of the best tools we have to help kids grow. Being away from home matters. Unplugging matters. Getting dirty, being challenged, taking risks-these are vital experiences in the formation of confident, capable kids.
So what should you look for in a great camp?
Leadership. Is there someone at the helm who wakes up every day thinking about your child’s experience? At the best camps in America, there is a dedicated Director, Owner, or Executive Director who prepares year-round for those few summer weeks. They should know your child by name, not number. At our dinner table, Catherine and I often talk about the kids in our care. We worry about the homesick ones. We celebrate the ones who thrive. This is personal. It should be.
Risk Philosophy. How does the camp approach risk? At our programs – Wilderness Adventures, Camp New Fork, Base Camp, and MOLA – we talk constantly about “preventing the preventables.” We review our policies, train our staff with intention, and try to smooth the path where we can. This applies to everything: how we drive vans, how we select staff, how we respond to emergencies. We try to leave no stone unturned.
Accreditation. Is the camp accredited by the American Camp Association? Accreditation means a program has voluntarily met the highest standards in health, safety, and risk management. All of our eligible programs meet this bar, because we believe your child deserves nothing less.
Phone Policy. What is the camp’s stance on phones? If a camp does not allow them, that tells me they’re serious about giving kids the gift of presence. Yes, it’s hard. But in today’s world, it’s essential. Kids need time to disconnect. And camp is the best place for that to happen.
In the end, we do this work because we believe in the power of camp to shape lives. We do it with full hearts, clear eyes, and deep reverence for the families who trust us. And in moments like this-when the sorrow feels so close, we lean into that purpose even more.
By Tom Holland