Chingachgook

Each year as students and teachers get ready for Camp Chingachgook there are a mix of emotions. Excitement, anticipation, trepidation, and curiosity are the norm as kids and adults prepare themselves for three days and two nights together in this new environment. Sleeping bags, pillows, and hiking boots are packed. Flashlights and fleece jackets are ready for chilly nights and possible late night trips to the bathroom.

As we all board the bus together that Wednesday morning, kids are talking and laughing, picking out that perfect seat to share on the way up with their friend. Already we are laying the foundation for a shared experience. This year I was fortunate enough to attend Chingachgook along with the students. I also approached the trip with some trepidation. What would three days and two nights be like with a group of 43 children? I kissed my younger daughter goodbye that morning and along with our students, boarded the bus with eagerness and anticipation for our trip ahead.

Our time at Camp Chingachgook is more than a short camping trip with friends. It is a time to break from routine, to share experiences, to take that mini-step towards independence. As kids say goodbye to their families, they are venturing out on their own, and making that first separation from parents. This is a huge milestone in the children’s lives. Being away from the safety net of family, kids are making their own choices and using their own judgment to make decisions - an invaluable skill they will use time and time again as they grow and mature. Having the opportunity to make this separation among friends and beloved teachers is a gift.

As I witnessed first hand, kids get to Chingachgook and are immediately engaged. They are building trust, cooperation, and community through team building games and activities. They move from hiking to archery, from bouldering (climbing a mini rock wall) to swimming, from canoeing to traversing a high ropes course. Watching the kids step out of their comfort zone and pick up a bow and arrow for the first time or step onto a high ropes course despite their apprehension, is nothing short of remarkable. The confidence and sense of accomplishment children gain from trying something unfamiliar is one of the primary goals behind this trip.

The true magic of camp, however, does not reside in the daily program of camp events — it lies in the relationship between children, and between children and their counselors, children and their teachers. Children who have been cared for all of their lives by parents are delighted by the novelty of sharing adventures — and their struggle — with their peers and energetic young adults. I was continually impressed by the Chingachgook staff. They led us through the woods on hikes, up mountains, and through Lake George on canoes. They sang songs at dinner, encouraged the kids when they were unsure of their abilities, told stories by the campfire, and provided an unforgettable experience for our children, many away from home for the first time.

After our busy days together, at night we all wound down and settled into our cabins. As the children unrolled their sleeping bags, chose their bunks, and readied their flashlights for the night ahead the real excitement set in. Seeing the enthusiasm and joy that comes from being independent, without one’s parents, is unparalleled. Some kids played cards up in top bunks, others read by the light of their headlamps. Regardless of their nighttime choices, one thing was sure - this was a remarkable milestone for all - a trip they would always remember, where they bonded with friends and teachers, learned something new, stepped out of their comfort zone, and gained confidence knowing they could take on any challenge.

As we got ready to leave that last day, many of the kids I talked to said, “I wish we could stay a few more days.” Looking at their shining faces and bright smiles, I thought the same thing. Until next year, Camp Chingachgook.