Bringing Overnight Magic to Day Camp.

Something magical happens at overnight camp that is missing from many day camps.  Though its often hard to put your finger on exactly what ‘it’ is, when ‘it’s’ there you can feel it on a deep emotional level. When it’s not you can feel it too, and it’s this missing something that makes so many Day Camp experiences feel transactional for campers and staff.  Campers and staff of overnight camps are much more passionate, and much more loyal to ‘their’ camps.  Few Day Camps resonate in the same way with their staff, campers or families.  Granted some do.  But not many. 

So, what is ‘it’?

I recently read that British football fans would rather cheat on a spouse, or have their spouse cheat on them, than support a rival team, even if only for a single game.  This reminded me of overnight camps. Where simply mentioning that another camp does something better feels like straying, and being a camper at another camp, or leaving to go and work somewhere else feels like infidelity.

So is there something happening at these Camps that Day Camps could replicate.  British football fans might have the answer.

Attending football matches in the UK is an experience that transcends the game itself. It's not just about the action on the field; it's about the electric atmosphere in the stands, fueled by singing, chanting, and a shared sense of purpose. It's a tribal, almost transcendental experience that, unless witnessed firsthand, is challenging to describe.

Side note:  I am often accused of having a degree in business, but I don’t. It’s in Religion and Feminism.  So I let weird things live in my head rent free (as discussed here). Durkheim’s concept of Collective Effervescence is one of these things. It refers to the dynamic energy and shared identity that emerges from participating in group activities, particularly rituals or ceremonies. These events create a feeling of unity and solidarity that transcends individual experiences, fostering a deep sense of belonging and identity within the group. Such is the power of shared passion and emotion, it acts as a glue that binds individuals into a singular, vibrant community.  This is very esoteric so feel free to skip ahead to the paragraph that starts “soccer matches.”

Durkheim argued that religion is an expression of social cohesion. Rather than the other way round. He believed that the divine or sacred elements worshipped by a society are projections of the society itself. In other words, when people worship a god or sacred object, they are, in effect, worshipping the collective force and moral authority of their community.

“What?” you ask.  Good question.  More simply put - Did our ancient ancestors worship the Moon, and therefore gather together as a community to dance and sing to honor it’s light.  Or was the Moon simply the thing that gave our ancestors enough light to safely come together as a community at night, when it was cooler, to dance and sing together?  Or, bringing it back to football. (This is also the bit that lives rent free in my head)   Do fans come together to chant and sing to express their love of their team? Or is the team the thing that allows the fans to come together to chant, sing and express their emotions for each other and their community

Soccer matches, especially those that draw in fans by the thousands, exemplify how collective joy and disappointment can solidify communal bonds. Chants, team colors, and the shared rollercoaster of emotions during the game act as catalysts for this unique form of social cohesion.

The community that develops in the football stands is about so much more than sports; it's a weekly ritual that binds individuals into a singular, pulsating entity. It’s community, its belonging, its being part of a shared history, being part of something much bigger than your self.  For 90 minutes these fans are one, and during this brief time together each week will express emotions in front of each other that would be socially unacceptable in any other situation.  These fans become a part of a whole, at its from here they develop their sense of identity and sense of self.

Durkheim would be happy with the word tribal to describe these fans.

Overnight Camps are another place where Collective Effervescence thrives, albeit in a more structured and nurturing setting. Opening and closing ceremonies, Campfires, group chants, shared meals, shared living space, the collective “trauma’ of being away from home alone for the first time and getting through it together and even the shared routine of daily life at camp serve as the backdrop for this phenomenon.

These experiences elevate the group above the sum of its parts, fostering a strong sense of identity and solidarity among campers and staff. The repetitive parts of the day, the shared jokes, shared language, the camp swag, all become rituals and symbols unique to each camp—serving as totems around which campers and staff rally and form lasting memories and bonds.  Campers and staff become a part of a whole greater than its parts, and its from here they develop their sense of identity and sense of self.

When the whole camp gathers to celebrate the things they all agree are important, these things become its culture.  It’s the collective celebration of this culture through songs, chants, dances, and inside jokes that allow individuals to transcend their personal identities and feel part of a larger community. The emphasis on shared values, cooperation, and mutual respect at camps not only cultivates a strong communal spirit but also reinforces the social cohesion that is crucial for personal and collective growth.  If you think your camp might feel a little bit culty.  It’s because it is. (In a good way)

Overnight Camp naturally lends itself to this, Its baked into the pie.  For day camp directors we must try and engineer these moments.  All too often Day Camp Directors feel a strong urge to pack as much as possible into a short day.  But we shouldn’t cut corners when it comes to building a community.

How do we make it feel more like overnight camp? The answer lies in creating and emphasizing shared rituals and experiences that evoke strong emotional connections among participants. We need to engineer daily events where the whole camp comes together to celebrate what’s important to them.  We need to hold opening and closing events everyday where the campers and staff come together to sing and to dance, to laugh and to celebrate.  Use this time to emphasize your values.  Present awards that highlight the most important thing at your camp.  Your Staff.

Establish Camp rituals. Build or emphasize unique camp experiences or traditions that campers can look forward to and participate in together, enhancing their sense of belonging and community.  My first camp had a song and dance that was performed by the whole camp when the word announcement was used.  It took 15 seconds, the song was quick to learn, the joke was at no ones expense, and it created a sense of togetherness, even on a campers first day.  20 years after closing down, there is still a vibrant camp community among its alumni.

Ensure that every camper feels included and valued, mirroring the way soccer fans feel an intrinsic part of their team's broader community. Let no one eat and make sure they never walk alone. Ever.

Celebrate Collective Achievements: Just as fans celebrate a goal or victory, camps should celebrate collective achievements.  It might be completing your first week of camp and officially becoming an alumni, a rain free day or surviving 100 degree heat, what ever you choose celebrate it with your campers and staff .

But do these things intentionally and often.  No matter the size of your program.  Involve parents and alumni.  Build a community greater than its parts.

The effects of collective effervescence, both in soccer and in camps, extend far beyond the immediate joy of the moment. They lay the foundation for a deeper sense of community, belonging, and identity among participants. In a world where individualism often takes precedence, these shared experiences remind us of the value of community and the profound impact it can have on our well-being and social bonds.

As we look to foster environments where individuals can come together in meaningful ways, let's take a cue from the world of soccer and the nurturing spaces of summer camps. By cultivating collective effervescence, we can create stronger, more connected communities that thrive on shared experiences and mutual support.