Building a Community: The Power of 3 Week Long Summer Camp Sessions

At Go West we believe in the power of a 3 week long camp session. This time at camp helps us to build community, create strong bonds in our friendships, progress in outdoor adventure activities, and build upon essential life skills.

Community building is the foundation of summer camp and at Go West creating a sense of place for campers and fostering connections between peers and staff are some of our core values. A 3 week camp session facilitates the development of a robust, tight-knit community. As campers spend more time together, they become part of something greater than themselves – a collective identity that fosters a sense of belonging.

Throughout our camp day campers are invited to share about their experiences, giving them the opportunity to communicate and connect with others. They may connect with a buddy in their group on how they felt about a bike ride or share with their group a goal they have for the day. Each afternoon we close out camp by having campers share stories from their day with everyone, creating a sense of place and support within the Go West community as a whole.

This community spirit develops a feeling inclusion and forms the foundation for lifelong connections. The bonds formed during these three weeks create a supportive network and provides a sense of security and belonging long after the last day.

One of the greatest aspects of a 3 week long session is the time it affords for genuine relationship building. Multiple weeks together allows campers and counselors to move beyond the more surface-level interactions and forge deeper connections. At camp, friendships are built upon shared experiences, laughter, trying new things together, taking risks and the kind of camaraderie that lasts a lifetime.

With more time spent together, individuals have the opportunity to understand and appreciate each other's quirks, strengths, and vulnerabilities. This not only leads to stronger bonds but also fosters a sense of empathy and understanding among campers, each invaluable aspects of relationship building.

An extended summer camp session offers the luxury of time for campers to learn and progress in new activities. Whether it's trying out a musical instrument, learning to mountain bike, conquering a challenging hiking trail, or summiting a tough rock climb, three weeks allow for a more comprehensive exploration of diverse activities and time to make real skill progression.

The trust developed within our time together encourages campers to step out of their comfort zones and embrace new challenges. Because campers have the opportunity to engage in an activity multiple times, they are able to gain a sense of comfortability and understanding. The gradual progression from week to week not only builds confidence but also instills a sense of accomplishment.

We use each of the activities campers participate in as tools to help them build valuable life skills. The challenges, interactions, and experiences that come up at camp, help shape well rounded individuals and build life skills that extend far beyond the summer months, laying the foundation for success in various aspects of life.