Parent Takeaways from Child's Activity Choices

Valued alum, mom, and more, Rebecca Grogan shares how paying attention to her daughter’s activity schedule over the years has helped her see so much growth in her over the years. Having the chance to try new things while at camp has given her daughter, Laynee, the confidence and desire to also pursue new things at home! See more below!

When I speak to moms about camp and they hear that Laynee started at age 6, they wonder how she can go to camp for so long and not get bored. Seeing how all the activities have changed and embraced each of her milestones and interests has been a blessing.

Laynee has attended the same session since 2016. She has gained new friends but continues to be in activities and rooms with girls who have been in her cabin, roommates in Summerplace, and now bunkmates in Riverside. Friendship helps when choosing activities but also helps her step out on her own to try something new.

Laynee was a mini camper for two summers. During those years she enjoyed arts and crafts and horseback riding. She started taking horseback lessons during the year after her first summer at camp. Her excitement to go for two weeks was so she could ride horses every day and was able to participate in the horseshow. At age 8, she was still petrified to go on the blob and go down the zip line. She filled her days with tennis, sports, pottery, cooking, horseback riding, and archery.

Entering the lodge, she started branching out to new activities. She decided that painting and bible study piqued her interest. She was thrilled to be able to build on her skills in cooking and tennis. Adding new activities to her schedule helped her to determine what she wanted to learn during the school year. She began trying new clubs at school, in Girl Scouts, and at church, and after school wanted to branch out into new sports. The confidence to try a new activity for two weeks then carries on into the remainder of the year.

Crossing the river, she has continued some of her favorite activities but has learned that the zip line isn’t that scary. She has gained confidence along with her peers. She takes riflery every summer and has learned how to shoot better than her brother. She doesn’t take horseback riding anymore but fills her days with pottery, cooking, bible study, exercise class, and riflery. She looks forward to the LT class next year and being able to help with campers.

Seeing the love for activities through my daughter’s eyes has shown me how camp can transform a girl to grow in God, relationship, and self. She is truly becoming a leader among her peers, school, and camp.

Rebecca Grogan - Mom, Alum, Previous Admin, Encourager