The Climbing Wall: One of the Life’s Lessons as seen through The Value of Camp
A nine-year-old camper spending her first summer at Alford Lake chose Challenge for her morning activity. She arrived with her fellow campers to tackle our 36-foot climbing wall. Soon it was her time to climb. Safely harnessed, helmeted and instructed by the Challenge counselor she began her ascent. Half way up the wall she stopped, frozen, unsure and began to cry. The counselor called up to the camper: “You are fine, you are safe and you have three options. I can climb up and help you down, you can climb down yourself or you can keep going. It is your choice and I am here to help you.” Her fellow campers sat quietly with sensitivity but watched intensely to see what the camper would do. A minute or two later, the tears stopped and the camper weakly said, “I think I will try to keep going.” Slowly, steadily and with lots of concentration the camper proceeded up and over the climbing wall. Once back on the ground, she smiled, rejoined her group to watch and support the next camper as she began her climb. Soon it was time for another activity and our camper bounded off with energy to the next part of her camp day. Off to have fun, to play with her friends, and to be a camper at Alford Lake.
I learned of this camper’s experience from the camper’s mother who said, “this is why camp is so important to my child and these are the skills I want her to have as she journeys through her life”. Yes, the mother agreed, it is wonderful that her camper decided to continue on the climbing wall, to have learned that she was brave and strong enough to complete what felt like such a daunting task. But more importantly, the camper was presented with three equally solid options by the counselor. They were supportive and encouraging and none was portrayed as being a better choice than another. The counselor’s message was clear: you are safe, you have choices and I am here to help you. “Life will bring her challenges,” the mother said, “and I want her to always know how to find help, to seek safe options, and to feel personal strength within herself”.
Think of how powerful a metaphor the Climbing Wall is for all of us. In school, in work, and in life, each of us will encounter a wall standing in our way, a challenge to face, a situation that makes us pause and wonder, “Can I do this?” The answer must come from deep within us through experiences that have taught us the most important life skills: to try hard, to seek help when we need it and to believe that we will find a solid solution.
In the camper’s story, the counselor did not say “You will climb the wall” or “You must climb the wall”. Too often our children are pushed to succeed, to compete and achieve. Some places encourage competition and reward winners. We are a much different community! Every Sunday evening, counselors from our activities verbally recognize campers who have contributed to their activities. These appreciations are presented to the entire camp community and are focused on effort, consideration, helpfulness and dedication to an activity. Campers are applauded for learning, for making honest efforts, and yes, sometimes for achieving. We are a community that believes in the glory of learning, the thrill of knowing yourself and celebrating that each camper has the emerging skills to face life’s challenges!
I urge you to consider this young camper’s experience. Imagine how such an opportunity could contribute to the strength of that special young person in your life. We, as adults should look beyond each summer’s experiences and realize the potential long-lasting value of the camp experience for our daughters. And, if you or she should face a wall to climb, please remember what our counselor said to our camper: “I am here to help you as you climb”!
Warmly,
Sue McMullan, Director
Betsy Brayley, Assistant Director
