Towering Pines Blog

One of our five core values at camp is Respect.  Respect everyone and everything including oneself.  This isn’t always easy, in fact, it can be extremely challenging.  How we feel about ourselves highly impacts our confidence, our self-esteem and how we treat others.  Camp provides many opportunities for the boys to learn about themselves and to explore both their strengths and those areas in which they need help.  Coming to the realization that asking for help isn’t a weakness, but rather a sign of growth, is a step in the emotional development of campers.  In addition, offering help to others in need is a chance to show respect and, in turn, to gain respect from them.

It’s natural, even within a magical place like Towering Pines, that as campers begin to get more comfortable and the honeymoon phase is over, conflicts can arise.  Although these conflicts may create some tension among campers, surprisingly enough, there is actually a place for these situations in camp life.  What better place for boys to learn conflict resolution and communication than in a safe environment with people leading them through these experiences.  Many counselors went through a similar journey not so many years prior, and they often relate to the challenges that the boys go through during their stay at camp.

Campers learn that some relationships work better than others, and it’s realistic that not everyone becomes your best friend.  There are people whom we will get along with extremely well, and those with whom we won’t.  When you live in a little cabin in the woods with several other boys, sometimes certain behaviors might begin to annoy you and a few people can even start to get on your nerves!!  But this can be viewed as an opportunity for campers to learn how to make the best of a situation rather than letting it get the best of them.

In order to support what the counselors and staff are trying to teach the campers, there are values which are taught and encouraged at TP.  One way to do this is through Sunday vespers where a cabin leads a short time of reflection on a specific topic that relates to living in our very own camp community.  This, in turn, can later be translated into other situations outside of camp.

One of the topics of vespers this past summer was “respect” and more specifically “empathy.”  Respect is one of the key focuses that is continuously encouraged and woven into the daily threads of camp life.  Plenty of teaching opportunities are presented throughout daily activities , special events and spontaneous moments that occur naturally at camp.

Campers from Cabin 11 led this vespers, and here are a few things that they had to say about respect:

“Respect is one of, if not, the most important values here at camp.  It is one of the building blocks of other important values such as friendship, sportsmanship and mutual respect.  Having respect at camp makes it more enjoyable for everyone.”

“Respect is really important in camp-life.  It allows for friendship, teamwork and leadership.”

“There are four kinds of respect:  camper to counselor, counselor to camper, camper to camper and counselor to counselor.”

Counselors from Seneca also shared some of the behaviors that these boys exhibited throughout the summer that truly encouraged respect and showed empathy for their peers and counselors:

• Will L. brings a great attitude everywhere he goes which helps other campers feel more comfortable and accepted.
• Will R. has opened up and worked to grow strong bonds with his cabinmates.
• Alex. is getting more and more involved in the cabin.  He brings a competitive spirit to all of his activities and respects others efforts.
• Lucio earned the privilege of being cabin “chief” and has taken this role seriously.  He is setting a great example for all of the other campers. He listens and tries to help everyone get along and respect one another.
• Mitch is doing more to help his counselors and cabinmates, especially in cabin clean-up.
• Alvaro will participate in anything.  He really gets along with everyone, and he encourages other kids to participate so that they feel like they belong and are a true part of camp.

It’s when the campers realize that sometimes they can’t move forward without working together and with their fellow campers, that the “aha” moment happens, and learning begins.  These experiences may not always be easy, but they are invaluable.  These will translate into life lessons that will carry through as these boys go off to college, enter the work force and maintain adult relationships.  The ripple effect of what camp offers to our boys continues to live on long after the last dock has been put away for the summer.

We’d love for your son(s) to be part of our camp community. If you haven’t yet registered them for camp, sign them up to “Enjoy the Ride in ’25!”  If you know of any families who might benefit from the camp experience, we are always grateful for your willingness to share your TP perspective with them.

Angie Wenzl

• Camp Mom at TP
• Leadership Staff at TP/Office Manager
• Marketing TP/Woodland
• Leadership Team TP/Woodland
• Assistant Waterfront Director at Woodland
• Counselor at Woodland
• “Building in our hearts fond memories, Towering Pines for you.”