It's no secret that confidence is one of the most valuable traits a child can develop. A well-structured sleepaway summer camp provides the perfect environment for kids to grow into happy, healthy, well-adjusted adults.
At Shaffer's High Sierra Camp, we've created an environment specifically to support your camper(s) as they forge new friendships, explore the great outdoors, and build memories that last a lifetime. Through these experiences, your child will blossom. Here are 5 powerful ways that SHSC will benefit your child's confidence.
1. Developing Independence
For many kids, attending a sleepaway camp is one of, if not their very first experience being away from home for an extended period of time. This gives them a unique opportunity to be independent from their parents. Without you around to make decisions for them, campers learn how to be responsible for daily tasks like creating their schedule, managing their belongings, cleaning their living space and themselves, and much more. These responsibilities feed into their sense of independence and boost their confidence in a major way.
2. Learning Resilience
At Shaffer's High Sierra Camp, campers have the opportunity to try exciting activities like biking, hiking, rock climbing, and archery—often for the first time. Stepping outside their comfort zones to take on new experiences builds confidence in their abilities and helps them discover new passions.
Along the way, they'll also face challenges, whether it's completing a tough hike, overcoming homesickness, or resolving a disagreement with a bunkmate. By trying things that challenge them, your camper will develop resilience, a valuable skill that will serve them well long after camp ends.
3. Social Support
At Shaffer's High Sierra Camp, kids are part of a diverse community where they are learning to communicate, collaborate, and navigate social situations, often in mixed-age groups. As Jonathan Haidt says in his #1 NYT bestselling book The Anxious Generation (Penguin House, 2024), kids need this kind of exposure to others: “Many of the best adventures are going to happen with other children in free play. And when that play includes kids of mixed ages, the learning is deepened because children learn best by trying something that is just a little beyond their current abilities…
Older kids can also benefit from interacting with younger kids, taking on the role of a teacher or older sibling. So the best thing you can do for your children is to give them plenty of time to play with some age diversity and a secure loving base from which they set off…” A key part of this growth is facilitated by the “secure base” and guidance of camp counselors, who play a unique role in your child's camp experience. Counselors are like responsible older siblings; cool people that your kiddo can look up to and who will encourage them to stretch themselves and try new things. As trusted mentors, they model positive social behavior and help campers work through challenges in a supportive yet independent way. This, combined with the camaraderie of fellow campers, builds confidence in social settings and teaches kids how to form meaningful connections—an essential skill for both childhood and adulthood.
4. Structural Support
At Shaffer's High Sierra Camp, we use three foundational rules—Physical and Emotional Safety, Positive and Productive Language, and 100% Participation—as guardrails to ensure positive experiences. When campers feel physically and emotionally safe, they are more likely to take risks, step outside their comfort zones, and explore new activities, knowing that they are in a supportive environment.
The rule of using positive and productive language encourages constructive communication, fostering an atmosphere where children feel empowered to express themselves and are encouraged by their peers. Lastly, the expectation of 100% participation ensures that every child is actively involved, which boosts their sense of accomplishment and self-worth. Together, these rules create a solid foundation that nurtures resilience, encourages growth, and ultimately builds a child's confidence.
5. Living Unplugged
Being away from technology plays a pivotal role in fostering a child's confidence by encouraging direct, meaningful interactions with their community and environment. When children are not distracted by screens, they are more present and engaged in the activities around them, which promotes stronger social bonds and a sense of belonging. Without the pressure of social media and digital distractions, children also develop self-reliance and independence as they learn to solve problems and navigate challenges on their own. This shift allows them to experience accomplishments in real-time, reinforcing their sense of competence and self-esteem.
Research has shown that reducing screen time can improve mental health, enhance face-to-face communication skills, and boost self-confidence by fostering positive experiences (Twenge, 2017; Rosen, 2016). Moreover, unplugging provides an opportunity for children to reconnect with nature, which has been linked to improved mood and self-confidence (Kuo, 2015). By sidelining screens, Shaffer's High Sierra camp is a setting that is otherwise unavailable in modern times. For children to grow emotionally and socially in their present environment, they need time away from the constant stimulation of technology.
References
- Haidt, Jonathan, The Anxious Generation (2024), Penguin Press.
- Twenge, J. M. (2017). iGen: Why Today's Super-Connected Kids Are Growing Up Less Rebellious, More Tolerant, Less Happy—and Completely Unprepared for Adulthood. Atria Books.
- Rosen, L. D. (2016). The Disconnected Generation: What the Research Really Says About Kids and Technology. American Psychological Association.
- Kuo, F. E. (2015). How Green Spaces Influence Children's Development: A Research Review. American Journal of Public Health, 105(4), 643-648.
Give Your Child the Confidence to Thrive
The benefits of a sleepaway camp go far beyond just summer fun. At Shaffer's High Sierra Camp, we provide a supportive and adventurous environment where kids can build confidence, develop lifelong skills, and create lasting memories.