We recently enrolled our oldest son, Barrett, in pre-school for the coming fall. He’s two years old and he’s already going to pre-school! We never thought we’d be thinking about our boys’ education at age 2 (Barrett) and 6 months (John Brooks). The bigger question we’re asking is, “Where can we as parents strategically place Bear and John Brooks to grow up and discover their true significance and purpose?”
This new journey into education and youth development has led us to Clark Alrich’s book “Unschooling Rules.” Alrich makes two compelling observations:
In the present age of Google, it’s far more important to learn to be and learn to do rather than learning to know. The accessibility of information is at our fingertips. Therefore Google provides information, but learning requires practice.
There are 25 skills that are essential to learning— 16 of which campers get to practice while at camp (i.e., adaptability, being a leader, communicating, practicing stewardship, solving problems innovatively).
Be encouraged as you truly are making an investment in your child this summer by sending them to Camp. Your son or daughter will experience various life lessons through a super fun environment that fosters personal growth, maturity, decision-making skills, and much more; and, because they will learn them by being and doing, they will retain them.
Further, the question still lingers, “Why does attaining 25 skills really matter?” We believe growth in these character qualities enables youths to realize and fulfill their life purpose with intention.
Of the 108 billion-ish people that have lived on this earth, no two people have shared the exact same DNA. This is clear evidence that every child has a God-given, unique design. Did you know that your child is able to do something remarkable in a way that no other human can? This is why, beyond developing really helpful life skills, our desire is to see all campers come to know their true significance and purpose. We believe your child has been created to do amazing things, and that they too will see and experience that when they come to Camp. It is for this reason that we have dedicated our lives to Camp Huawni and why we are excited to see how your child grows up this summer and over the summers to come.
Our hope is to partner with you as your child grows to understand their unique significance and purpose in this world.
See you in the piney woods!
-Travis & Mandi