From Nervous Hellos to Deep Connections: The Power of Belonging at Camp

That Awkward Moment Before the Magic

One of my favorite parts of camp is the very first day.
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It might sound strange… After all, it’s often the most awkward part of the week. Campers standing in small clumps or off to the side, staff trying to remember names, everyone sizing each other up with polite smiles and uneasy greetings. But I love that moment. Because I know what’s about to happen.

Within a few short hours, the nervous energy melts away. Silly games break the ice, stories are shared, and laughter starts to loosen up even the stiffest of campers. Guards go down, camaraderie builds, and before long, the same kids who couldn’t make eye contact at check-in are racing each other to dinner, singing songs and cracking jokes like lifelong friends. It’s a transformation I never get tired of watching.

That’s the power of camp.

From the very beginning, we work to create an environment where kids feel safe - not just physically, but emotionally. Campers and staff alike are invited to show up as their full, authentic selves, without fear of being laughed at, left out, or judged. We lead with vulnerability, build trust through play, and lay a foundation where real connections can grow.

There’s a phrase every camper at Camp Lookout hears on the first day of camp:
“We’re in the build-them-up business, not the tear-them-down business.”
It’s not just a motto. It’s a filter we apply to everything we do.
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Before a child can grow in confidence, try something new, or explore their faith, they need to feel like they belong. Without that, none of the other good stuff can happen. Belonging is the bedrock of every life-changing camp experience.

Beyond A Buzzword

The sense of belonging I'm describing doesn’t just happen. At camp, we put it into practice in real, tangible ways throughout a camper’s week. It’s baked into the camp culture, not by accident, but through intentional choices in how we build community from the very start.

From the first handshake at check-in to the first goofy name game with their cabin group, campers are invited into a community that sees them, welcomes them, and wants them to be part of the fun. Counselors are key to this first impression, and set the tone by asking great questions, noticing who might be feeling left out, and creating a place where every kid gets the chance to bring themselves fully to the camp experience.

Where "Weird" Is Welcome

In a world that incentivizes boosting yourself and hiding your flaws (or anything that might be perceived as uncool), camp gives kids permission to be their messy, goofy, thoughtful, awkward, growing, authentic, weird selves. They can ask questions, make mistakes, sing out of tune, wear mismatched socks… and still be fully accepted.

Belonging at camp doesn’t mean everyone is the same. It means everyone is welcome. It means we honor what makes each camper unique, while also inviting them into something bigger than themselves: a community that reflects the love of Christ in all we do.

In short, everything camp is designed to do - help kids grow in confidence, character, and faith - starts with that moment when a camper realizes: “I belong here.” That moment might seem small, but it changes everything.