The Gift Of Camp

If you’ve ever faced the whirlwind of Black Friday, unsure of how to outdo last year’s holiday gifts for your kids, you’re not alone. From chasing the latest games to keeping up with trends, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But is there truly a perfect gift? Rick Warren, in The Purpose Driven Life, reminds us that the best gifts are timeless: “The greatest gift you can give someone is your time. You can always make more money, but you can’t make more time.”

As parents, we often feel the fleeting nature of time. With just 18 summers to cherish with our children, it’s no wonder I’m frequently asked as a camp director, “Is sending my child to sleepaway camp really necessary?” My answer is always a heartfelt, resounding YES! Summer camp is the most valuable gift my parents gave me, and it’s one Bryan and I are proud to give to our children. While this gift requires a personal sacrifice for us as parents, it’s an investment that fosters positive role models, personal growth, and priceless memories.

What sets sleepaway camp apart is its immersive, hands-on environment, where kids tackle challenges, experience joys, and navigate setbacks—away from parental oversight (but not without counselor oversight, which is much cooler. Sorry, Mom and Dad!). It’s a unique space for building self-reliance and learning to thrive in a supportive community. Highlander campers return home not just with new memories and life skills but with pride in the confidence they’ve gained from doing life “on their own”.

In a high-tech world, Camp Highlander is proud that we offer a low-tech, high-impact experience. It’s an antidote to the distraction of smartphones, video games, and the pressure of social media, offering authentic friendships, laughter, and valuable life skills. Whether overcoming homesickness or mastering our ropes course, these moments forge lifelong confidence and character. These experiences help our campers understand that they are capable of growth and perseverance, gifts they will carry with them long after their magical summers on Old Forge Mountain.

Camp isn’t just a gift for your children, it’s a gift for you as well. In today’s world, where young people are increasingly anxious, many parents feel unprepared to navigate the challenges of managing social media, screen time and outside worldly influences. As parents, camp equips us with a powerful tool to nurture confident, independent, and resilient kids that are prepared to face their future and challenges that lie ahead.

Years from now, children won’t reminisce about the gadgets they had but about the experiences that shaped the men and women they become. This year, when considering what to give the special children in your life, think of summer camp - think of Camp Highlander. It’s more than a gift—it’s a transformative experience that lasts a lifetime.

And remember: unlike toys, camp doesn’t break. It only gets better with time!