Bringing the Magic of Summer Camp Home

We so often hear that children leave Summer Camp already dreaming about when they can return and experience the magic of Glen Brook again. Below is a list of some simple ways that your family can experience some of this magic in your own home!

Practicing Gratitude: Gratitude is practiced in many ways around camp all summer. One of the most notable and celebratory ways we practice gratitude is through Appreciation, where each camper appreciates and expresses gratitude for another member of their group. Each child is randomly assigned another child in the group, for whom they make a small gift and write or share a kind message. This kind of practice can increase cooperation by reminding children that even if someone is not their best friend, there is still something to be grateful for. Practice gratitude within your family, with neighbors or friends, or with adults who work with your child (such as teachers) to encourage this practice outside of Summer Camp.

Rose, Bud, Thorn: Campers do Rose, Bud, Thorn each night together before a bed. Their Rose is the best part of their day, their Thorn was something frustrating or upsetting that day, and their Bud is something that they are looking forward to. This reflective practice can encourage gratitude for their experiences, offer a space for nonjudgmental reflection on their day, and can allow them the space to process and contextualize their experiences. This can be done out loud or in a journaling format and is a great way to bring a simple Glen Brook practice home.

Daily Chores: Each day at Camp, campers are responsible for keeping their personal quarters and shared living spaces clean. The act of daily cleaning is so important because it encourages campers to have a sense of ownership and pride in where they live. If it is not an already daily practice for you at your home, we encourage you to engage your child in daily chores–however small– and take pride in the beautiful space you can create together!

Letter Writing: While campers are here at Glen Brook, the main method of contact with their families is through letter writing. Children rejoice at the sight of a letter addressed to them, and in their eagerness to reply, learn the valuable life skill of writing, addressing, and sending a letter. We encourage you to help your child find a fun way to do this throughout the year: either by sending letters to friends and loved ones, or by sending them to us right here at Glen Brook! Any letters sent to us will be responded to with eagerness, and a small packet of Glen Brook seeds that you can plant somewhere around your home.

Evening Singing: Each night, campers and staff come together to sing classic songs out of the Glen Brook songbook. Evening Singing is not about being the best singer in the group, but rather about the practice of slowing down and making beautiful music together. Singing is a fantastic way to work together and connect. Click here to find Spotify playlists of Glen Brook songs so that you and your camper can do evening singing at home!