Day 52 – Camp Director Check In

Did have a discovery tonight – our first campers of the summer with cell phones – that we discovered.

It brought up the question in my mind – which I’m sure that some parents ask – Why does camp not allow camper to have cell phones?

Does it help to know that we don’t allow our staff to have cell phones either when they are at camp?  As the staff that are caring for your children, it is important that they are focused on the campers and on making each campers experience the most amazing that it can be.  We don’t allow our staff to walk around with MP3 players either – no headphones on our counsellors or summer camp staff.

Campers with cell phones is another thing.  We are not trying to hide anything as a camp.  We are trying our best to give the campers an experience in life and community.  To show them that fun is something they make – fun is not made by other – it is made by themselves.  As a parent myself I want my children to be happy.  It would be amazing if my children could be happy all the time – but I know that is not possible.  As adults, we are not happy all the time, life gets in the way and challenges come forward that make us fearful, afraid, confused, melancholy, satisfied, elated, relieved and many other emotions.  Happiness is not a state that we are in 24/7, a state that no one can be in 24/7.

There are many ups and downs in any given day.  When we put our children in a camp setting it is no different.  Asking campers to live with 7 other kids, to sleep in the same room as 7 other kids, to eat with 7 other kids – when at home they may have their own room, be an only child, and may eat meals in front of a television is a tall task.  Community living at camp is different from life at home – this is the experience that parents are paying for – something different.

At camp – if a camper has a cell phone they are not going to call home when they are happy.  When campers are engaged and happy they are focused on the task.  A phone call only happens when campers are in a lull that allows them to think about missing home, to think about things they miss – like television and video games.

I do not expect everyone to agree, but at least to understand why we, as a summer camp do not allow campers or staff to have cell phones.  In case of emergency – we have a 57 page policy manual that our staff have read and been trained on – there is a plan, and part of that plan is to let you, as a camper parent, know what is going on.

I’m nervous writing this – I don’t know how people will take it… Let me know what you think.

Joe Richards
Executive Director
Pearce Williams Christian Centre
o: 519.764.2317 c:519.636.4285
www.pearcewilliams.org
“every child deserves a week at camp…”