Summer Camp & the 4-C's (Part 4)

Meals

Every meal at camp is not only filling, but each also presents a wealth of opportunities for the campers to refine their understanding and practice of the 4-C’s. Just about every camper is constantly hungry while at camp since they constantly on the move. However, it is necessary for the campers to communicate with each other so that the serving plates make their way to both ends of the table.

On the chance that there is a less than desirable main dish, campers have the choice to visit the salad bar. While this may seem simple to some degree, campers need to think critically to determine when to make their way to the salad bar and they need to get creative if they find limited options. Once everyone has had their fill, the entire table must work together and collaborate in order to clear and clean the table.

Campfire Games

The small amount of time set aside for the campers to get away from the everyday hustle and bustle of the real-world climaxes when each cabin parts way with the main camp and ventures out into the woods for their overnight. I could easily spend an exorbitant amount of time rambling on about the benefits of simply existing as one with the wilderness.

However, I will focus on one part of the campout experience that really struck a chord with me. The seemingly mindless games that the campers play around the campfire, whether before, during, or after dinner, are overflowing with opportunities to refine their understanding of the 4-C’s. 

These games are rather simple, but they are more than capable of capturing and retaining the camper’s attention for hours on end, or until the majority of the group figures out the key to each game.

There is probably a plethora of name variations for the games that I led around the campfire with my campers, but that does not alter the overall value of each game, nor does it influence the skills necessary to achieve victory. First, every campfire game that we played is extremely creative in nature, whereas most of the games today that students occupy themselves with today are bland and to the point. These games genuinely force the campers to think beyond the standard limitations in order to decipher the key to each game. In addition to the high value placed on creativity, these games have few limitations regarding how to play and the only concrete rule is that you cannot verbally convey the trick to your peers once you figure it out. This aspect of the games require the campers to approach the task at hand from multiple vantage points and think critically in order to unravel the often simple code. Once a few of the campers have deciphered the mysteries of the task at hand, it is vital that they work together to help their peers follow in their footsteps, yet also steer clear of verbally conveying the logic of the game to those still working to figure it out.

Closing Thoughts

The presence of the 4-C’s at summer camp may still come as a shock, or maybe even appear as a desperate reach. Regardless of any preconceived notions that you may have, I can assure you that setting aside one week each summer to attend a well-run summer camp is well within reason due to the vast number of opportunities available for campers to hone and refine their mastery of the 4-C’s each day. 

Furthermore, unlike traditional academic settings, such as the likes of an average classroom, the summer camp atmosphere, and its ethos, provides a much more welcoming and comfortable environment for students. Although there is nothing wrong with having a teacher present the benefits of the 4-C’s and discuss different ways to develop these skills in a static setting, I prefer to think that the more hands-on, albeit casual approach under the guidance of a counselor is far more effective and meaningful. 

All in all, I feel that educators who spend their summer months amidst the hustle and bustle of a summer camp are a valuable resource when it comes to developing ways to implement the 4-C’s into today’s curriculum. Lastly, there is a lot to take away from witnessing the simple beauty surrounding young minds as they run rampant in a carefree environment, which only a few have the pleasure of experiencing—this small slice of bliss is a little something called Camp.

Summer Camp & the 4-C's (Part 3)

Everyday Examples

The following is an assortment of activities that campers (and counselors!) take part in on a regular basis. Although these activities may first appear as purely recreational—or possibly even monotonous to an extent—each possesses a wealth of potential in regards to the development and mastery of the 4-C’s.

Cabin Clean Up

Every morning following breakfast, the campers return to their respective cabins and tidy up their quarters. In order to clean the cabin properly, the campers need to engage in two of the 4-C’s—communication and collaboration. It is vital that the campers communicate with one another in order to determine who is responsible for the various tasks that the group needs to complete. Once everyone knows what their specific task is for the morning clean up, the entire cabin needs to work as one unit, or collaborate, so as to complete a task with a partner or possibly avoid impeding the progress of another task. The shift from engaging in effective communication to seamless collaboration that is present in the daily cabin clean up routine is similar in many ways to other group tasks such as group projects, competitions, or performances. Regardless of the location or setting, the shift from communication to collaboration is most always present, whether it is in a classroom, on a sports field, or on a stage.

Upon cleaning the cabin, the campers typically create a “kiss up.” which is a brief skit that is meant to curry favor with the cabin inspector. Kiss up’s can vary from transforming the cabin into a haunted house, a zoo, throw a dance party, or just about anything else that will impress the inspector. However, in order to have a successful kiss up the campers need to engage in critical thinking and be creative. It is important to take into account the likes and dislikes of whoever is going to inspect their cabin that day, so that the inspector not only enjoys the gesture of kindness, but also leaves the cabin with a positive impression that outlasts the impact made by the other cabins.

Cabin Kiss Up

Upon cleaning the cabin, the campers typically create a “kiss up.” which is a brief skit that is meant to curry favor with the cabin inspector. Kiss up’s can vary from transforming the cabin into a haunted house, a zoo, throw a dance party, or just about anything else that will impress the inspector. However, in order to have a successful kiss up the campers need to engage in critical thinking and be creative. It is important to take into account the likes and dislikes of whoever is going to inspect their cabin that day, so that the inspector not only enjoys the gesture of kindness, but also leaves the cabin with a positive impression that outlasts the impact made by the other cabins.

Read the final installment of

"Summer Camp & the 4-C's"

Summer Camp & the 4-C's (Part 2)

Why Camp is a Worthwhile Experience

This may come as surprise to some degree, but summer camp is not all about fun and games. No matter how much you may want to disagree, the events that take place on a daily basis at a summer camp are rich with opportunities for children to engage with the 4-C’s in a casual manner. This summer, I enjoyed the beauty of Walloon Lake in northern Michigan where I worked as a counselor at Camp Daggett—a small non-profit, co-ed overnight camp. Towards the end of the season, I experienced a small epiphany when I realized that the campers spend an exorbitant amount of time each day engaging with the 4-C’s in nearly every facet of their summer camp experience. The presence of the 4-C’s throughout the summer camp experience is quite impressive on its own. However, the real treasure lies in the fact that the campers are essentially unaware of the fact that they are frequently interacting with the 4-C’s.

Read about the specific examples in 

Part 3 of "Summer Camp & the 4-C's"

Summer Camp & the 4-C's (Part 1)

More Than Just Fun & Games at Summer Camp

Today’s world is more complex than ever and it is full of challenges that require a new skill set in order to achieve success. This skill set, which is often collectively known as the 4-C’s, consists of achieving mastery in the art of efficient communication, cohesive collaboration, precise critical thinking, and genuine creativity. These skills are an essential component that students need to possess in order to achieve success in the competitive world in which we live. However, it is challenging to present or master the 4-C’s effectively in a traditional academic setting.

The 4-C’s: The Keys to Success in the 21st Century

1. Communication—Students communicate effectively both face-to-face. They are able to organize their thoughts and findings, and share these effectively. They communicate well both orally and in writing.
2. Collaboration—Students work effectively and respectfully with diverse groups to solve problems and accomplish a common goal. They assume shared responsibility for completing tasks. Team efforts are “greater than the sum of their parts”; individuals working alone could do student teams accomplish better results than.
3. Critical Thinking—Students are able to analyze, evaluate, and understand complex systems; investigate questions for which there are no clear-cut answers; evaluate different points of view or sources of information; draw appropriate conclusions based on evidence and reasoning; and apply strategies to solve problems.
4. Creativity—Students generate and improve on original ideas and also work creatively with others. They are able to generate and refine solutions to complex problems or tasks based on synthesis, analysis, and then combine or present what they have learned in new and original ways.

One of the major goals today for educators everywhere is to prepare their students for the “real world,” so that students can not only compete, but are also capable of thriving. There are a number of innovative methods available to teachers for use in the classroom, such as Project Based Learning (PBL) and authentic assessment, both of which aim to develop a meaningful environment that promotes the development and mastery of the 4-C’s. While these techniques excel in preparing students for success outside the classroom, there is a major flaw present in many classrooms. Teachers have a limited amount of control over whether their students find the lessons interesting.

Regardless of subject or grade level, it is vital that teachers succeed in capturing and maintaining their student’s attention and interest. One of the main sources of the problem at hand is that the majority of lessons typically occur in formal academic settings—such as classrooms or lecture halls—and the lessons become less meaningful due to the student’s perception of the unappealing nature of the environment in which they learn. Since it is clearly necessary for students to gain meaningful experience in working with the 4-C’s, it is essential to present these skills in a way that both welcoming and entertaining in a sense.

Continue on to Part 2 of "Summer Camp & the 4-C's"