Importance of Girls Camps Given Societal Issues
If you’re an NFL fan at all, lately there has been a lot of attention surrounding the league’s treatment of players with allegations of domestic violence. While the controversy has had potential good points, like the increased attention regarding the dearth of women in decision-making positions in the league, it has highlighted just how far the league, and American society generally, has in regards to issues that significantly impact women.
For me, it underscores the importance of continuing to foster environments where girls and young women can strengthen themselves. It underscores for me why having a girls-only camp is important—because there are growth opportunities unique to girls-only programs.
Unfortunately, in coed settings, girls (and women) tend to act differently when boys are around–reducing the girls’ skill-building opportunities and sometimes causing girls to conform to sometimes-negative social norms. Having a girls-only program allows us to address issues specific to girls and women. Girls can interact with women in positions of authority, and have more opportunities to “be themselves” without having to impress campers of the opposite sex.
Without distractions, our girls can be more comfortable, focused, and establish more meaningful relationships. They feel supported and safe, without experiencing the pressure and competition that might exist in a coed camp. Our girls are willing to try new things like dam jumping and rock climbing, develop positive relationships with other girls in their cabin groups and teams, and overall just have a space where “girls can be girls.” Free of any self-consciousness that might happen say at school, other social settings, or at a coed camp, our girls get to concentrate on skill-building, personal growth, and having fun changing their world!
Combining structured programming and purposeful free time in a supportive community, we intentionally provide young women with a place to question cultural standards of beauty, broaden concepts of body image, and increase opportunities for them to gain leadership skills.
Do all all-girls camps offer these benefits? In a word, “no.” Simply offering an all-girls program is not enough; the key is “intentionality.” We are mindful of formation of cliques and divisions, and intentionally create an environment that focuses on girls’ strengths. We include intentional relationship-building activities, proactive and creative group management, teaching communication and conflict resolution skills, self-expression activities, and strong adult leadership from counselors selected from hundreds of applicants. Our skilled counselor-facilitators vigilantly monitor and respond to our campers’ constantly evolving dynamics. In our all-girls camp, we’re able to challenge the girls both physically and emotionally, yet enhance their safety within an intentionally supportive and comfortable camp community.
Hopefully, as we continue to offer a strong program, we and they can continue to be a force for positive change. Hopefully, in one or two or five or ten years from now, the discussions we have as a society will have progressed.