Make Summer Days Count
At T Bar M Camps, we seek to squeeze the most out of every moment we have to invest in the life of a child. In preparing for your camper’s experience, we keep in mind our goal for kids to “grow in wisdom and stature and favor with God and man,” alongside our number one rule, “Don’t Waste Fun.” What unfolds as a result are camp days full of life-enriching purpose!
In the Morning
Starting the morning with quiet time, an energizing breakfast, and cabin clean up sets the tone for a day full of intentionality. Be it the simple tasks of brushing teeth or pouring cereal milk at breakfast, our coaches seek to permeate mundane moments by inspiring a joyful attitude and servant’s heart. The routine tasks of each day, presented in a new and fun way, motivate campers to take ownership and responsibility of themselves and their space, all while looking to the interests of others.
After a few days immersed in these rhythms, campers begin to connect this attitude and level of independence as applicable to life at home. Before we know it, we’re hearing testimony from camp moms about how their child returned home enthusiastic about making their bed and helping out with household chores!
Amidst the Adventure
Camp is full of opportunities to try new things, take healthy risks, overcome fears, and experience inevitable defeat. From the sports field to the lake and the ropes course to the blob, campers learn how to step outside of their comfort zone and stretch themselves in new ways. Alongside their peers, campers celebrate victories and encourage one another in the face of fear. Even mealtimes, while marked by silly songs and traditions, are centered around sitting together at a big wooden table, serving one another. These shared experiences cultivate depth in authentic relationships.
Overflowing with purpose, our coaches see opportunities to pause and “think twice” about how a fun experience or camp activity can relate to real-life moments. In debriefing the adventure of camp, kids make connections and have tangible experiences to mark the lessons they learn.
Afternoon & At Night
Liberated from peer pressure, screen time, and expectations to perform, camp offers an alternative to being a kid. After adequate time to let lunch settle with an afternoon rest, the camp day continues with competition, theme nights, and a time to gather, celebrate, and reflect on the day. The culture of camp is marked by goofy games and crazy chants that unleash the playful spirit in every child. Encouraged to compete with proper respect for others, kids learn key components of teamwork and sportsmanship.
Then, depending on the night of the week, camp is transformed to create an environment fit for an impossible mission, a county fair, or perhaps a ’50s sock hop. Campers show up dressed the part as our staff take on make-believe characters. Imaginations come to life, and kids exercise exhilarating creativity, freeing them to be confident in their own skin.
After all the fun and games, we come together as a camp to sing songs and hear teaching that applies to life. And just before campers lay their heads down to bed, we take one more opportunity to reflect on the day and remember what we’ve learned.
The impact of camp drives deep and stretches wide into the lives of campers and beyond as moments are maxed out amidst authentic relationships, purposeful play, and shared experiences.