It is normal for individuals to worry about finding connections and a sense of belonging in a new environment.  Attending summer camp is no different in that many families, campers (and staff!) wonder about making friends, trying new activities, and whether the camp community will support their passions and growth. 

Belonging is often defined as a “feeling of being happy or comfortable as part of a particular group and having a good relationship with the other members of the group because they welcome you and accept you” (Cambridge dictionary). 

At Pemi, we strive to create an environment where campers can be authentic in their interests and genuinely themselves. A place where the camper can focus on learning and exploration, rather than concern about fitting in. A place where true belonging can occur due to community values and shared expectations.  

1. Being Part of a Community: When boys come to Pemi,  they have the opportunity to live, play and learn in an environment where there is shared success, growth, accountability and identity. Living in and being part of a community, even one as small as summer camp, offers an environment where we don’t have to be in it alone. Pemi offers the chance to not only be a part of the larger campwide community, but also belong to multitudes of smaller formal and informal communities at camp. You can find belonging in your Junior 3 cabin group, belonging within the Junior Camp Division, find belonging with the campers that love to play ping pong after 3rd hour while waiting for lunch, or find belonging on a 3 day hike. Initially we are part of the Pemi community because we share the physical space, but as time passes, we are part of the Pemi community and belong at Pemi due to our shared connections, support of one another, and pursuits over time.

2. Tech-Free Connection: In the absence of screens and technology, campers are practicing social-emotional skills that have real time impact on others and on themselves. The opportunity for making genuine and healthy friendships, or navigating social scenarios, contributes to our ongoing understanding of how we belong in space, or make space more supportive for others. Reducing screen-time allows campers to practice trust in others and in their own abilities. They are able to engage in ways that create more authentic connections and feelings of belonging. At Pemi, we are proud of our screen free environment, and fully embrace its benefits. Camp friends and connections are life-long, and we know it has to do with the quality and depth of the interactions our campers have with one another.  

3. Trying Something New: Pemi offers a variety of activities and high-level programming to its campers, and promotes itself as a place to try new things. In order to try new things, there needs to be an established environment where it is safe to not know something, ask for help and even to fail. You don’t have to be one thing at Pemi, only into sports, or nature, or drama.  In a world where youth are quickly becoming specialized, Pemi offers the time and space for campers to explore varied interests and discover multiple passions. For example, It is fascinating when you see campers compete at baseball (preferred  passion) AND perform a song at campfire (new interest!), or they love to take hikes (new interest!) AND spend time making art (preferred passion), or they made a friend outside of their primary activity of interest. Discovering new interests supports campers in their growing concept of self worth and belonging. And how good does it make you feel when you take chances and experience joy or interest in something new? 

4. Finding Growth & Success in the Whole Camper: One of the ways Pemi increases self-confidence and a sense of belonging is by valuing and celebrating a diverse group of interests, personalities and ways to grow as an individual. We recognize a variety of ways to experience growth or to be successful, from who scores the winning goal, or has the most impressive nature collection, to the camper who demonstrates growth in character or a positive impact on their team or cabin. Perhaps a camper was struggling socially with a peer, and was able to navigate the experience and move forward. Or maybe the camper displayed determination and tenacity in pursuit of earning their Bronze. When a child is acknowledged and recognized for a personal accomplishment, they place value on that component of themselves. From Mess Hall cheers and awards ceremonies to small words of praise from counselor to camper, Pemi works to acknowledge the ways that it is beneficial for our campers to develop an array of skills and characteristics of themselves. 

5. Supporting Boys in Becoming Caring & Engaged Citizens: At Pemi, it is an expectation for campers and staff alike to encourage and model characteristics such as respect, responsibility, empathy, kindness, honesty and gratitude. These characteristics are encouraged from start to finish in the camp season, at both a macro and micro level in our community. We cultivate and bring attention to these themes through our preseason training with staff, our weekly Sunday meetings, or emphasized in smaller group discussions out on trail or after a tough loss on the soccer pitch.  These traits and skills are valued because we believe they are essential for healthy involvement in spaces both within, and outside of camp life. Our hope at Pemi is when campers leave Lower Baker Pond’s shore and look for belonging and connection in their future environments as a student, employee, life partner, and citizen of the world, that they can draw upon ways in which they were welcomed and belonged at camp, and how they welcomed and made others feel belonging. 

-Johanna Zabawa