Today I was helping a client find a summer community service program. We discussed many issues but the mom’s first instinct was to question what her daughter could bring to the project given that she has no experience in construction or working with children. Would she, in fact, be more of a burden to the community? The question of who really benefitted from these kinds of actions was raised. Our conversation was a good one and I think could give families something to consider when choosing a community service program.

I think it is better to view teen summer community service programs more as “voluntourism”. This means that the sole purpose of the experience is not to offer your service but more a combination of service, cultural exposure, and travel. It is an age-appropriate way to start to “giveback”. Embedded in the service is the opportunity for cross-cultural sharing of ideas, the ability to make observations about other cultures, begin to see how a simple act can make a difference, and learn the importance of giving back.

In all honesty I think participants in community service programs receive more than they give. My daughter has done many service programs and each time has gained new perspectives. Additionally she has made long lasting friendships. In January she was in the Caribbean. She decided that she wanted to return to the island of Dominica – she volunteered there over 15 years ago. While on the street, someone yelled her name. She turned around perplexed….no one knew her here. Amazingly it was a young woman from the village who she had not seen since she was last on the island! After all these years she still recognized her. They had corresponded for about a year or so and then communication stopped. Still, the reunion was so meaningful to both my daughter and her friend. They shared stories and reminisced. They talked about family and “old times”. Clearly an important connection was made. A friendship was established and barriers crossed. This woman took my daughter to the area where she had volunteered and some of their efforts were still being appreciated. The physical evidence of her service on the island remained but even more importantly so did the connections.

“You can leave camp, but camp never seems to leave you.”

How true this is for me! I am now a well-established member of AARP and still look back upon my summer camp days as some of the most important times in my life. Overnight camp changed me in ways I cannot begin to express. I went from being a child who clung to her mom’s skirt to a person who found herself in leadership roles – all because of camp.

Before I went to camp, I rarely made decisions for myself. Little choices such as what activity to sign up for during free period or deciding what or even how much to eat represented the start of independent thinking. I remember running to breakfast when it was so cold I could see my breath – no one told me to bring a jacket. It was OK to listen to morning announcements with goose bumps crawling up and down my skin. I promise you – the next time the breakfast bell rang, I grabbed my sweatshirt before heading out. I do remember deciding whether I really wanted to brush my teeth at night and knew no one would know if I did or did not. I needed to as I have to keep to my teeth healthy. I decided it was the right thing to do even if no one checked on me. What an important step in growing up!

Maybe that is why I love what I do. I want to help every child who wants to go to summer camp to have the same opportunity for growth. I can state with certainty that camp helped me build confidence and independence in a safe and supportive environment.