Camp Galileo Lafayette is definitely moving along full speed. The hallways are filled with smiling campers and the sounds of team cheers. Like our campers, the staff is bonding closer together, innovating new things themselves. Chalk covers the floors with chicken-walks, giant footsteps and hopscotch. We’re on our way to creating memories—both for our campers and our staff—that will last a lifetime.

It’s hard to describe the magic that happens at camp. It’s a chance for campers to reinvent themselves. Children who are reluctant to raise their hand in class during the school year suddenly take a leap of confidence and lead a song for new campers. Children who are nervous to have a ‘wrong’ answer share their ideas, certain that more ideas will lead to a better overall solution.  Campers are becoming better problem solvers, with staff guiding them along the way.

I believe though, that much of the magic comes from the learning experience. Seeing how older and younger campers learn as they interact with one another, for example, is one of the most powerful things I’ve ever experienced.

Many parents recognize the benefits of having younger children work together with older children. After all, younger children can find a mentor in an older camper. They learn resourcefulness—that other people besides adults can find the answers. They have a role model, closer in age and developmental understanding to them than adults.

Even more powerful though, are the lessons learned by older campers as they interact with younger campers. Older campers become more confident, comfortable and empathetic toward younger campers and people in general. They become more self-reflective, too. They learn how to communicate to different audiences and how necessary it is to adapt your style. And of course, teaching other campers provides deeper understanding of what they’re learning themselves.

The learning experience isn’t driven by lectures and direct questions. Instead, our instructors act as facilitators, connecting children to other children with the knowledge they need to move forward. Lead Instructors and Team Leaders are then free to have more one-on-one time with each camper. Classrooms are filled with chatter, music, smiles and laughter. Desks are arranged to face each other rather than the teacher. Campers move around freely to share ideas and learn from one another. For some, our classrooms may appear chaotic, compared to a traditional classroom. For me, it feels like home, like family.

This post was written by Patrick Costello, Camp Director at Camp Galileo Lafayette.