How Camp Create Shapes Our Youth

Creativity is not something we can easily cultivate, much like a plant, you need to feed it, water it, give it some time, and let it breathe. Over time, we must attend to it and make sure it starts taking root in a place that nurtures those creative impulses. That’s why it’s important to set the foundation for that growth at a young age so as to give children the ability to think outside the box. At the YMCA, we not only agree with that sentiment, we support it and want to make sure that everyone discovers their own path in life.

To help with this, the Merrimack YMCA runs a summer program called Camp Create. Camp Create differs from most other camps in that rather than focusing on sports and outdoor activities, it focuses on different kinds of creative outlets. Each week has its own camp activities. From dancing to writing, collages, and even Lego, Camp Create will have a large selection of activities for 1st—6th grade. Not to mention, there is plenty of time afterward for activities such as swimming and gaga-ball. Such schedules not only allow the children to invest as much time as they want into the activity but also never feel rushed going into what happens next.

At Camp Create, the campers love the community of kids and counselors they interact with every week. The number of kids in each camp is typically is very manageable for staff, so instead of having to look for a camper in a sea of backpacks and towels in a grassy field, they can spend time getting acquainted with everyone. Making the energy they bring to the table not only energetic but also highly contagious.

When asked what their favorite part about camp was, some campers simply responded by saying it was very artsy and creative. But one camper put it succinctly by saying, “I get to share my imagination.” Whether you believe that is early communication skills or a fun way to make friends doesn’t change the simplicity of it. Kids, like many of us still today, want to be able to express themselves in a way others can understand. So that’s exactly what we are able to achieve with Camp Create.

For us Camp Create is an indispensable experience for these children. As Camp Directors Kristen Capriotti and Tiffany Joslin put it: “Camp Create gives campers the opportunity to express themselves creatively through dance, music, art, and gymnastics.” If you ask camp counselors, you’ll get roughly the same message. “It’s definitely fruitful and necessary for them (the campers)” they shared.

Creativity is something we all crave, and giving kids the opportunity to strengthen these skills is a wonderful thing.

By: Christopher O’Herren, a Champlain College student who is completing an internship with the Y.