Happy Relaxed

Sarah made a comment today that seems to sum up the vibe of camp right now. She said, “Everybody here seems so ‘happy relaxed.'” It makes perfect sense if you just look around. You see plenty of smiles, girls laughing and playing, and appearing really at ease. The two are related of course. With camp being a place where girls can be themselves without the pressures and worries of school, where they know instinctively the people around them are genuinely kind and caring, it’s natural to relax into the experience. There’s no need to guard against anything or to maintain any kind of facade, so camp provides a release of sorts. That feeling alone is enough to lift a child’s spirits, but combine it with all of the fun activity at camp, along with all the enthusiastic energy of a zany community, and you have a beautiful recipe for happiness as well.

This feeling shows in many of the activities. For example, in the yoga class, which meets in the hillside lodge, the girls are definitely relaxing. Spread out on their yoga mats, they’re peacefully stretching, listening to soft music, and trying different poses. There’s also plenty of giggling now and then, especially when they try an awkward position. And anything that involves two people in the pose is bound to be a laugh out loud moment.

Swimming at the lake is another great example of being relaxed and happy at the same time. Often instead of swimming, floating is more popular. It’s a way to cool off in the refreshing water of the lake, while at the same time lounging comfortably in one of the many colorful floats available. Even more fun is when friends pile into the floats making them a little unsteady and easy to end up in a splash.

Sometimes, this feeling arises from concentrating on something, from being completely immersed in whatever we’re doing. For example, the girls have to really focus when riding a horse, being careful with the position of their legs, their posture in the saddle, and how they are controlling the reins. This gentle coordination between the horse and rider makes horseback riding rewarding and fun.

Most craft activities at camp offer a similar opportunity to lose yourself in the moment. Working with their hands, whether shaping a slab of cool clay or weaving colorful yarn through a “nifty knitter,” campers easily become deeply engaged. There’s a strange immersive quality to many craft activities at camp, each providing another way to relax and at the same time enjoy the satisfaction of making something. It’s amazing how easily the campers are happily immersed in weaving, painting, pottery, needlecraft, and so on.

Compared to the daily lives of most kids, living the “happy relaxed” life of camp is a great gift. It proves to them it’s fun and rewarding to be active, and to really dig into creative pursuits. Most importantly, it reveals the special happiness that follows from simply being yourself in a relaxed way. The beauty of camp, and surely a big reason why girls love it, is how quickly and easily the community here evokes these feelings.