Our Wellness Coordinators introduce campers to basic mindfulness practices, using traditional techniques from different disciplines to lead them toward the benefits of regular daily practice. Visualization exercises and meditation provide a chance for campers to catch their breath and find relaxation during a busy camp day. We sometimes call our dedicated meditation time a “sit spot” where campers return to the same “spot” daily through the summer to silently observe, reflect, eyes open or closed. As the forest begins to welcome their presence not as a stranger, but as an inhabitant the wildlife relaxes its tension. Campers become one with the trees, plants, animals, and the patterns in the calming life of the forest.

Instructors provide age-appropriate guidance, as well as a grounding presence for the campers. As their experience grows, so does their confidence. With calming natural scents in the air, campers may take an active interest in wellness, opting into morning programs by choice as they feel how it improves their emotional regulation and awareness.

These activities are particularly welcoming for those who have never tried cold plunge, meditation, or other modality before. The instructors select calming environments and provide clear directions and modification suggestions for the campers based on their individual abilities. Taking concentrated time on each activity helps our youth practice patience and focus as they meet challenges.