Category: Camp News

Someone shared an article in Outside Magazine a few weeks ago: “Can a Campfire Improve Your Mental Health? Many Therapists Say Yes.” To summarize the piece, therapists and nonprofits are using campfires to help a variety of folks (teens included) open up about their struggles. And the science backs it up. A 2014 study found that sitting around a fire decreases blood pressure, fosters relaxation, and improves social connection.

There was no surprise here, of course, because we’ve been seeing this exact thing at Woodland and Towering Pines for decades. With the one difference being, we don’t call it “therapy”.

For us, it’s just part of the natural cadence of the day.

Things start to wind down after an exciting day, the wood goes into the circle, a staff member lights a match, songs get sung, and skits are performed. Then, when the fire dies down and the embers are glowing, a story is read, voices get quieter, conversations go deeper, and the stars are starting to make their appearance.

All of that science from above is happening in the standard order of things here.

What Else Counts as “Therapy”?

If we’re going to start calling campfires “therapy,” what else at camp deserves this newly expanded label? Don’t get us wrong…we are a huge supporter of high-quality therapy. It changes lives every day.

When we walk around Woodland or TP on any given day, we see dozens of moments that could probably justify their own research studies and fancy therapeutic labels.

Moments that look completely ordinary. Kids being kids. Counselors being counselors. Summer unfolding as it always does.

So let’s take a look at some other forms of therapy that we apparently offer.

Walking-Across-Camp-With-A-Friend Therapy.

Watch any path between activities. Two kids, maybe three, just walking and talking. No destination pressure. No agenda. Just the simple act of moving together, conversations flowing as naturally as their footsteps.

Where else does this happen anymore without someone checking a phone? It involves being present. Physically close. Eye contact. Connection.

Your-Age-Doesn’t-Matter Therapy

Our oldest campers hanging out with our youngest campers. Teaching them archery strategies. Showing them the best spot to catch a fish. Sharing their camp memories and lighting a fire of excitement that burns all summer for our newest campers.

Where else in their lives do kids get this? Maybe from a particularly loving older sibling or cousin, but teenagers can be inward-gazing.

Older campers live for these interactions. They can’t wait to take on these roles. Just older kids who genuinely want to share what they know with the next generation.

Canoeing-To-Nowhere Therapy

A counselor and a couple of campers in a canoe. Not racing. Not trying to reach the other shore. Just paddling, floating, talking.

The point isn’t Point A to Point B. The point is doing something together. Being on the water with time to think, talk about whatever, and laugh together.

Family-Style-Meal Therapy

Three times a day. All summer long. Kids and counselors passing platters, pouring drinks for each other, negotiating who gets the last piece of garlic bread.

As parents with impossible family schedules, we struggle to manage this once or twice a week with all that’s happening. At camp, we do it for every single meal. No screens. Just faces across the table.

Looking-At-Moon/Stars Therapy

This might be our favorite. Kids stop and look up to see the Milky Way splashed across the sky. Or they may see the moon blazing a trail across Nokomis or Sand Lake.

Feeling small and part of something so much bigger in the best possible ways.

The Real Point

These aren’t programs we’ve developed or initiatives we’ve launched. They’re just…camp at Woodland and Towering Pines.

No marketing committee designed “Walking-With-A-Friend Therapy.”

No consultant suggested we optimize our canoeing program for therapeutic outcomes.

These moments happen at Woodland and TP because this is how humans naturally connect when given time, space, and freedom from the usual pressures. Just kids and counselors at camp.

You can’t improve on a campfire.

There’s no technological upgrade for looking at the stars.

What looks like a normal day at camp is actually something increasingly rare: time for real human connection. And yes, it’s deeply restorative. The scientists are just catching up to what we’ve always known.

Thank you for choosing this path for your children for this summer and summers to come.

For understanding that 6 weeks of “just camp” might be exactly what they need.

Your kids are getting the gift of a million moments that truly build them up and help them to grow as human beings, all disguised as the best summer ever.

They don’t know that walking with friends or sharing family meals is good for their mental health.

They just know they’re happy.

With gratitude for all of our campfires and the girls and staff that make them so special! We hope your daughter/s will join us in 2026 for sitting by the campfire, walking with friends of all ages, eating family style, gazing at the stars, and SO. MUCH. MORE.

Reference: KE newsletter/blog

I had the pleasure of interviewing Isabella Scarpelli recently about her journey to pursue flight school at Southern Illinois University where she is currently in her second year. Isabella spent 6 years as a Woodland camper/CIT and has been on staff for 2 years so far (we hope she is able to come back for many more!). Isabella is extremely versatile when it comes to teaching activities and this summer was found helping out at Farm Zoo or the barn and assisting in swimming or canoeing. The activity she is most known for; however, happens at the Rec Hall every 4th hour. Isabella is a superstar when it comes to rewriting and directing plays for each 2-week session! The final show, “Clue” was a true testimony to her amazing talents (along with co-director, Lizzy Germann).

I invite you to jump into the interview with me:

The Spark to Soar: what drew Isabella to aviation 

As many high school students often find, there are moments of freaking out during junior year because it is hard to land on the one thing you are interested in enough to want to spend the next 4 years studying/doing that thing. Isabella went down a list of possibilities, thought about it a lot, and was intrigued by aviation as a potential career.

She did some research and felt that she could be successful in that environment and decided to give it a try. Isabella likes to be in motion whether in a car, plane, or boat, and has never been afraid of flying (a definite plus!). She was pretty set on that path once she made up her mind that was what she wanted to do (not to say that she didn’t have her moments of doubt before actually landing at SIU). 

Isabella also shared that she still has her moments of uncertainty, and she is able to ground herself knowing that she is surrounded by others in the same boat (or plane!) and is able to get perspectives and support from fellow students and instructors. Isabella is actually pursuing TWO degrees – one in flying and the other in aviation management.

Isabella finds herself taking classes such as Current Aviation Management Practices (what’s happening in the industry right now), Aviation Writing and Communication (writing about industry trends), and Aviation Weather (always good to know visibility, wind speed and direction, and other details that can affect your flight). She completed the stage check for her first flight course and has started on the next one. Isabella is currently halfway finished with the requirements needed to get her Private Pilots License.

From Camp to Cockpit: skills that are coming in handy in flight school

The biggest skill for Isabella is focus. She offered that it comes natural to her as she gets very locked in and focused once she is in flight mode. When she steps onto the airfield, Isabella can’t think about anything else. She is 100% “all in.” Once on the ground, it always strikes Isabella how focused she was leading up to and throughout the flight.

Because Isabella values being places on time and timeliness, this helps her wade through the long list of things she needs to get done on a daily basis. She recognizes this as part of the importance of being professional whether at camp, in the classroom, or cockpit. 

Being flexible is another skill that serves Isabella well. As a camper and counselor, Isabella is very used to how things out of your control (the weather!) can change up the daily schedule and routine. It is no different with her schedule and instructor, there are always unexpected turns and twists with how they meet up and how things get done. 

On top of focus, timeliness, and flexibility, Isabella has a strong work ethic. She spent 2 months at camp, transitioned to school at the bottom tip of Illinois in 10 days, began a full load of classes, and started a part-time job working at Starbucks.

Calm in the Clouds: flying can be so unpredictable and remaining calm under pressure is extremely important! 

There are definitely times that it gets stressful while in the air. Isabella shared that she got lost once or twice while in the practice area and didn’t know where she was to get back. It is easy to get disoriented, so in that situation, the first step is to admit to the instructor that she was lost. Easier said than done; however, the sooner that happens, the quicker things get figured out and she was back on her way to reorienting and knowing where she was. 

Other stressful situations while in the clouds is choosing the right point on land to do a maneuver off and choosing a field to make an emergency landing. This is where Isabella calls on her focus to stay calm and not get rattled or distracted.

Teamwork That Travels: both camp and aviation require strong teamwork and communication 

While Isabella has flown solo, the majority of her time in the air is spent with an instructor. She has made the comparison that communicating with her instructor in a lot of ways is like communicating with her co-counselor at camp. In order to make things happen such as takeoff, change course, or land, it is imperative to have seamless communication with the person sharing the cockpit with you. At camp, in order to take the best care of your campers or to teach an activity with another staff member, communication and collaboration are key.

Advice to Future Dreamers: wisdom from Isabella’s journey to pass along

Isabella believes that listening to and knowing and being honest with yourself is where it starts. When she began exploring options and aviation as a possible path, she would ask herself if it was realistic that she was going to succeed or not. Isabella also encourages trying out a lot of different things as she is currently doing to see what else you might like. She went to boat club mainly for sailing and she finds herself gravitating towards activities involving nature (both are missed from her days at camp!). As mentioned previously, Isabella likes to drive, and she is currently working on getting a boating license.

Isabella also recognizes that being with different groups of people helps you branch out into areas that you might not normally try. She is considering joining a shooting club that offers a variety of experiences other than the rifles she became accustomed to at Woodland. Isabella is also becoming more involved in things around aviation such as women in aviation and rush for an aviation business fraternity.

From Camp to Career: come join us! If you are or know an emerging leader who is wanting to explore personal and professional skill development, we invite you to let us know HERE (first time staff members) or RETURN staff (have been on staff at least one previous summer).

Like your daughter/s, we are still thinking about our favorite memories from the six weeks at Woodland and Towering Pines. While you may hear about the fun they had with their cabinmates and counselors, going to archery, sailing on the lake, or making a project in arts and crafts, you might only see these activities for what they are. It may just sound like shooting arrows, hanging out with friends on the water, or gluing yarn to a popsicle stick.

The memories we hold onto at the end every summer are the ones that pull the curtain back a little farther, and perhaps go deeper below the surface than what meets the eye. When we think of archery, patience, persistence, and confidence come to mind. Leadership, teamwork, and adaptability are the anchors in sailing. Arts & Crafts brings out creativity, imagination, and self-expression. We could go through each activity, one by one, and come up with quite an impressive list!

We encourage campers to reflect on their experiences by including thoughtful prompts in the letters they write home. These prompts might ask about moments when they showed bravery, qualities they value in a friend, or something they noticed and appreciated in nature. This approach helps campers develop self-awareness and recognize personal growth during their time at camp.

We are sending out one last letter to give you a chance to talk with your camper(s) about their summer experience, now that they’ve had some time to think about it. The responses they gave were collected during the final week of camp, a busy and emotional time, so their answers may reflect the whirlwind of those last days rather than the full scope of their summer. This is a great time to put on your curiosity hat and ask follow-up questions!

When you hear a story from your camper about something that was really, really fun, we hope that you, like us, know that it is much more than that. Over time, they will start to connect the dots and be able to see beyond the activity or event described. It’s part of their development process! The guide below may help you “decode” the fun into what else was happening.

• • Cabin living = independence, interpersonal and conflict resolution skills
  • Activity choices = decision-making, self-exploration, trying again (and again)
  • Evening programs/Special events = social confidence, community building
  • Overnight canoe trips = problem solving, teamwork, and negotiation
  • Camp traditions = leadership development and belonging

While camp is packed with fun and adventure, it’s also a place where your child builds a crazy amount of lifelong skills. Everything we do intentionally helps campers grow in ways that go far beyond what you see and hear in their stories. We hope that you continue to hear snippets of the “enjoy the ride” summer of 2025 in the months ahead!

We are already enrolling campers for 2026 and spots fill up fast! To be part of the FUN (and MORE!) register HERE!

Dear JoAnne, 

Ever since my daughter returned home from camp, she refuses to wear anything that isn’t Woodland blue or tie-dyed and Crocs with an assortment of Jibbitz. All she talks about is the fun she had, stories about her cabin mates, and how many days there are until camp next summer. She claims that she isn’t sure what to do next without the bell ringing throughout the day to mark time. She won’t stop singing camp songs or looking at the online photos on the Woodland website and Instagram. She even makes her bed every morning and asks if she can “hop” during dinner. She insists that I ask you for Brittnie’s Asian bowl recipe and is now putting ketchup on potato chips. Help! Can you please explain to me what is going on with my daughter?

 A Concerned Parent

Dear Woodland Parent,

Thanks for your letter; I can assure you that what your daughter is experiencing right now sounds like a typical case of  “campsickness.” Yes, it’s a thing (see below). It means camp worked its magic and is proof of an unforgettable summer.

I receive calls and emails from parents every year at this time wondering what is happening to their camper(s). Trust me, campsickness is not necessarily a bad thing; it just means that your daughter had an AMAZING summer and is sad to leave her camp friends. It is normal to miss the nonstop activity and fun that camp offers at every turn. Coming home to an empty room can be a bit of a shock after the excitement of constant interaction with a community of girls.

I have every confidence that she will adjust to being at home again; it just takes a little time. You can let her know that we will be corresponding with her (and you!) over the course of the winter via mail, email, and various social media. There are all kinds of ways she can stay connected to our camp family, and before you know it, we will be headed to Woodland (Imagine This in ’26) for another fantastic summer!

Definition: Campsick (adjective)
\’kamp-,sik\ – The opposite of homesick. (Don’t worry, it’s not a real illness.)

Meaning: An intense longing to be back at camp.

Example: Your camper doesn’t want to go to her favorite restaurant or even the pool…she is too campsick to enjoy “normal” life at home.

Symptoms may include:
Melancholy + daydreaming
Nonstop storytelling + “one time at camp…”
Using camp lingo the rest of the family doesn’t understand
Attempts to recreate camp routines, chants, and inside jokes at home

Here are a few things you can do to replicate her Woodland experience during the transition from camp to home:

Limit Screen Time – Yes, she will want her iPhone or iPad back – and that’s okay. But remember, she went 4-6 weeks without screens, and survived (maybe even thrived!). Try to keep some of that screen-free magic alive.

(Gently) Remind Her to Make Her Bed – She did it every day at camp – no complaints. She’s actually good at it! (And hey, maybe she’ll even make yours … just kidding. Probably not happening.)

Let Her Sing At The Table – There is nothing that beats the energy of the lodge after dinner – the cheers, the songs, the banging on tables. It’s pure fun. Don’t be surprised if she brings a little of that spirit to your dining room table (and maybe teach you a few songs in the process!).

Print Out Photos From Camp So That Her “Bunk” Looks Familiar – You sent her to camp with pictures of home. Now flip the script – print out camp photos for her room so it feels like her bunk. All those photos you’ve been scrolling all summer? Time to bring them to life!

Keep the Camp Mail Coming – Best cure for campsickness? Mail from a camp friend. Encourage your camper to keep up the tradition of letter writing with their bunk besties (a friendship list of addresses was included in her memory folder).

Tie Dye Extravaganza – Nothing says camp like tie dye!  Let her rock what she made at camp. Or better yet, set up a craft session at home and have her make something for you!

A Little Canteen Goes A Long Way – S’mores, some candy, or a sweet frozen treat every once in awhile is a little nod to camp that will be appreciated those first few weeks of being home.

Give Her S P A C E – It’s not you … it’s her. She just had a taste of independence and now she’s back under your roof. Adjustment takes time (for both of you!). Let the stories, emotions, and memories come out at their own pace.

Sign Up for Next Summer – Don’t miss Woodland’s early enrollment discount when signing up for 6 weeks by August 31st!