While gratitude should be a daily practice, I confess that I am often swept away in the chaos of daily life and do not spend nearly enough time counting my blessings. But with Thanksgiving next week, I’d like to share – from a parent’s perspective – a few reasons I’m especially thankful for Kingswood and the Kingswood community. 

Positive Role Models 

When my son Liam was five or six years old, too young to be a camper but still eager to be a part of the camp community, some of the counselors taught him how to play the ukulele. As someone who never learned how to play a musical instrument, it warmed my heart to see my little guy on stage, confidently playing his original song about his disdain for rest hour. When he returned to school, he continued taking lessons from his music teacher and even performed in an all-school holiday concert. 

But as he grew older, he shied away from music. For whatever reason, no one in his peer group at home played music…or if they did, they did not want the rest of the world to know about it. Talent Shows and School Coffee Houses came and went, and not a single boy from Liam’s class performed. The guitar we had in his room went untouched (for years!). 

But something changed this summer. For the first time in his camp or school life, other boys his age were interested in music. Guitars became commonplace in the cabin. His friends started performing in the evening on Pines Field Stage and at the Council Fire. All of a sudden being a musician was cool! (It probably didn’t hurt that we have so many awesome staff members who also play). 

Who knows how long his interest in music will remain, but I am thankful that the Kingswood community revived his joy in music and provided a safe, supportive community where he felt comfortable performing. We are three months out from camp, and he still plays nearly every day.

Screen Free Experiences

This one does not need much explanation. 

I am truly thankful that my son gets to spend his entire summer screen-free, creating new friendships, deepening existing relationships, and getting to have fresh and authentic experiences each and every day. Nothing is better for the body (or the soul) than to spend long summer days outside, running, playing, hiking, swimming, and laughing with friends. 

Independence and Self-Confidence

My daughter Olivia (9) went to sleepaway camp for the first time this summer, spending four fun-filled weeks at a nearby all-girls camp. But she spent the final three weeks of the summer at Kingswood, living in our cottage and fully participating in all aspects of camp life. 

One evening I passed by the waterfront and watched as Olivia and her cousin Maddie (8) embarked on a sunset sail, one of the sponsorships offered that night. Both girls had taken the Kingswood sailing clinic the previous week and had gotten “certified to level 3,” meaning that they had demonstrated to the instructors a level of proficiency allowing them to sail under calm winds. Here were two children – ages 8 and 9 – who were self-assured enough to check in with the supervising counselor, put on lifejackets, retrieve a Sunfish sailboat, rig it themselves, and head out, unaccompanied, for an evening sail. 

In his book The Anxious Generation, Jonathan Haidt uses anecdotal and research evidence to discuss how children prior to the 1990s had far more autonomy than later generations and that this loss of independence has been detrimental to development of Gen Z. Certainly, I understand how the idea of a 6, 7, or 8 year old walking to school by themselves or roaming the neighborhood might be inappropriate in many or most situations these days, but on that night, watching how proud my daughter was to be self-reliant and on her own, it certainly made me appreciate how impactful it can be for kids to be given opportunities to show their maturity and capabilities. 

And while she truly felt like she was on a grand adventure with her cousin, the reality of the situation was that adult eyes were with her every step of the way…on the beach – making sure lifejackets were worn and well-fitting; at the boat – double checking their knot; and on the water, with lifeguards is motorboats keeping a watchful eye over every craft. 

But because it was just her and her cousin on the boat – one in charge of the tiller, the other in charge of the sail – they were, in a very real sense, charting their own very empowered course.

And many Kingswood boys have the similar experiences during their stay at camp.