Character at Camp

Camp Values

Facilitating Character Development

Character Development  at Camp

• Activities

  • Our camp activities provide the perfect platform for character development. During sports, campers are learning about teamwork and good sportsmanship. On the ropes course, they show resilience by challenging their fears and going one step further than they thought they would. Campers experience joy when performing at the talent show and build community when celebrating others doing the same. See what other activities we offer and consider how each 

• Daily Debriefs

  • At the end of each day, groups will have time to sit together and reflect on their day. This opportunity allows our staff to facilitate a conversation about all of the things they did, from accomplishments to challenges and celebrations. 

• Shoutouts

  • Hale summer camps are built on a culture of celebration! We build each other up through recognizing the great things our campers do day in and day out. Whether its helping a friend when they fall down or trying their best at a new activity, we want to make sure our campers are recognized for their hard work. When we give character-based shoutouts, our campers are able to develop an understanding of their own character (when we tell them it was kind of them to wait for their friend, they see themselves as someone who is kind).

1. Community: Who did you help or who helped you today? How did that make you feel?

2. Curiosity: What was something new you learned or discovered at camp today?

3. Growth: Did you try something that was hard for you? How did you feel afterward?

4. Integrity: Can you share a moment when you did the right thing, even if no one was watching?

5. Joy: What was the funniest or happiest moment you had today?

6. Resilience: Did something not go as planned today? How did you handle it?

7. Community: What is something kind that someone did for you today?

8. Curiosity: What is one question you asked or something you wondered about at camp?

9. Growth: Can you think of something you were better at today than yesterday?

10. Joy & Resilience: What made you smile even when something was difficult?

Encouraging these conversations at home helps reinforce the values learned at camp and strengthens the camper's ability to reflect on their personal growth.

Alternative Ways to Spark Conversation with your Camper

• Storytelling Through Play: For younger campers, playing with toys or drawing pictures can help them express what they did at camp. Families can ask, "Can you draw something fun from camp today?"

• Highs & Lows (or "Rose, Thorn, & Bud"): Instead of direct questions, families can ask, "What was the best part of your day? What was something challenging?" A rose reflects their favorite part of their day, a thorn is their least favorite, and a bud is something they're looking forward to.

• Sharing Through Movement: If a camper is active, take a walk or play a game while casually asking about their day.

• Music or Camp Songs: Asking campers to teach a song they learned at camp can open up discussion.

• Camp Scrapbook or Journal: Encourage campers to sketch, write, or add stickers to a daily camp journal to reflect on their experiences.

• Two-Word Reflection: Ask them to describe their day in just two words—this can often spark follow-up conversation.