Why send your daughter to camp?
We could stand on our soapbox for hours and tell you why sending your kid to camp is one of the best investments you can make in their life. We say to our counselors yearly at Staff Orientation, “Welcome to the life-changing business.” Camp can be a one-, two–, three–, or four-week experience that completely transforms someone’s life for the better. But rather than hear from us, we’ve interviewed several former campers and staff members who can attest to the tangible power of the Illahee experience.
Coming to camp:
At camp, I got to be a little girl. I got to be wacky, crazy, and play. I got to explore, and I got to figure out what it meant to be Collier and I got to become comfortable being Collier. I got to be surrounded by a community of women who not only allowed me to be Collier but celebrated me being Collier” -Collier, Social Worker (Camper: 2000-2007, Staff: 2008-2011)
There is no single type of “Illahee Girl.” We believe that all girls radiate joy in their unique way and that the best community is diverse and full of varied experiences.
At camp, girls learn how to belong without losing who they are called to be.
Camp was a place where I could be on my own and experience different responsibilities. I loved activities. I loved having a schedule that was mine. I got to pick it, and I loved being trusted to get from one activity to the other. I was always late to activities. I took my sweet time just walking around because I was just having a ball being on my own. -Kelly, Magazine Editor (Camper: 1999-2005, Staff: 2006-2011)
At Illahee, we value a girl’s ability to think independently, solve problems independently, and travel to and from activities independently, surrounded by an encouraging and supportive community.
Send your kids to camp because it’s an authentic place where you can be yourself and figure out who you are. As I aged through these periods of being a weird, self-conscious middle schooler but then being like a fun, good high schooler, all the good things from Illahee made me truly who I am, in the sense of someone confident, someone who has treats their relationships very seriously and tries to be an excellent friend. -Sarah, Plastic Surgeon (Camper: 2001-2007, Counselor: 2011-2013)
Confidence grows when girls are allowed to try new things, fail, and work hard to succeed. Camp enables girls to explore various activities and learn new skills, which can help them grow in confidence at camp and beyond.
Where else do you find mentorship from older girls? And I for me, the only place I found that was Illahee. -Sarah, Plastic Surgeon (Camper: 2001-2007, Counselor: 2011-2013)
From cabin counselors to adventure staff, riding staff to directors, every person we hire at Illahee is committed to being a role model and mentor to our campers. Girls need women to look up to, and we are proud to have some of the best staff around!
As a counselor, I would see barriers come down even at rock climbing. There were always some girls who were nervous. They may not fit into school well or are in an awkward phase of life. And their whole persona changes as soon as they get up that rock, that first time. They come down, hike down that mountain with swagger, and it’s so special. I’ve seen the transformation from camp as a mother, as a counselor, and I experienced it as a camper.” -Lee, HR Executive (Camper: 1979-1986, Counselor: 1990-1994)
Camp is ideal for encouraging girls to push beyond their comfort zone and grow in strength, resiliency, and grit. Whether on the ropes course, rock wall, in a canoe, or on the archery range, our staff is committed to bringing out the best in our campers through challenge, opportunity, and encouragement.
I always did creative activities at camp, but ceramics was always the number one thing I wanted to sign up for. It was, like, the most important thing. It kickstarted something. Then, I got into design and expanded my style in high school. But camp definitely jump-started all of that. –Josie Cross, Artist and Studio owner (Camper: 2007-2014,)
Many of our campers and staff have discovered lifelong passions by simply saying yes and trying something new at camp. Our program is non-competitive in that we encourage girls to try things and be perfectly ok with failure as they explore what makes them come alive!
And I think it was special to have some friends who weren’t a part of your daily life. It was fun to have people outside of that bubble to hype you up, but also level you back out if you’re low. Those friendships formed across state lines were super important. -Ann (Camper: 2003-2010, Counselor: 2011-2016)
When we ask campers “why they come back to camp,” the overwhelming answer is “friends.” Illahee is a place where authentic friendships are made effortlessly. Be prepared; these friendships could last a lifetime!
Sound like a good fit?
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