Some of my best memories from childhood involve hanging out on a dock, messing around with boats all day…

This past week, I got to spend a week up in the mountains as a camp doctor at Gold Arrow Camp on the shores of Huntington Lake in the High Sierras in central California. My daughter, Lea (11yrs), went up there for a two week session, and I joined them for the last week.

I had never really thought much about sending the kids to camp for a week or two, but after this experience, I would highly recommend it when they are ready. Lea had tons of fun, made some great friends, and was encouraged to try many new activities. She went rock-climbing, horseback riding, sailing, backpacking, kayaking, wakeboarding, canoeing, and she got to drive a motorboat. She was excited to participate in a wilderness adventure race that included a Tyrolean traverse (crossing a ravine by rope and harness). She also had target practice with a bow and arrow, and a rifle. One of her favorite times was evening campfires with her cabin mates. She also especially enjoyed the arts and crafts, drama, and radio. In short, Lea had an amazing, two-week adventure!

I was very impressed with how they challenged the kids to try new things. I would accompany many groups in their various outings, and there usually was a camper or two that was a little tentative about the activity. That camper was joyfully encouraged by the counselors and other campers, and then it was great to see their sense of accomplishment once the challenge was completed!

Gold Arrow Camp had a nice international flair to it. It seemed about half the staff was from overseas. The New Zealanders treated us to a traditional Maori Haka (that dance with all the face paint). One of the Czechoslovakian cooks serenaded us in his native tongue at the evening campfire. Heck, I spent so much time with the Australian mountain biking staff that I started to develop an accent!

Was I nervous about sending her off for two weeks? You bet I was! But the camp would post pictures on their website every day, and I could see how much fun she was having! What a great comfort for a nervous parent.

I was highly impressed with the level of safety and supervision. All the instructors were highly experienced in their particular activity. This was important to me when ropes and harnesses were involved. When a child did get sick, the nurses and counselors were very comforting and “mother-like”.

When I was a kid, I was a “water rat”. I was at home on any boat, I could tie any knot, I could climb any mast, and I was always my dad’s first-mate!

On the last day of camp, I proudly watched my daughter dock a rowboat, quickly cleat the mooring lines, and then spin around to help catch the next boat coming in. She looked like she had been doing this her whole life… a chip off the old block!

I highly encourage you to think about sleep-over summer camp for your older kids. What a great way to develop responsibility, independence, social skills, and self esteem. Lea has made some great memories, and can’t wait until next summer!

As for me, I had fun. Some of my time was spent fixing nosebleeds, wrapping sprained ankles, and gluing together cuts. I even got to pull one “all-nighter” when a few kids picked up a stomach bug. But I also had some free-time to ride my mountain bike, make a mug in arts and crafts, shoot a rifle, and read a great book.

But, can you guess what I did most of the time?

Yup, I hung out on the dock, and messed around with boats all day…

Just like when I was a kid.

I can’t wait till next summer!

-Dr Jim, July ‘05