I recently sat down with Linda Paulk, CEO of Sky Ranch Camps, to talk about the impact and lasting value of summer camp experiences for kids and families. Here are a few highlights from our podcast conversation.
For those who are not familiar with Sky Ranch, what makes it so special?
We are 71 years of a mission of leading youth and families to know and follow Christ… And we do that through programming, activities, and providing opportunities for people to have the best time of their lives and while they're doing that to learn and grow in their faith.
When a camper comes, what can the kids expect from sun up to lights out?
Well, the kids can expect to wake up and have a great breakfast and we have all kinds of activities from the blob to the crazy pool. They love to play kickball, the triple swing, the ropes courses, the zip lines... Everything we do is very intentional. We practice intentional teachings as they're going to activities...and then of course, we have structured Bible studies. They're being introduced to God and who God is. They can just expect to have a the a time of their life.
Besides just having fun at summer camp, what kind of transformations have you seen in these kids over the years?
Our goal is to build resilience in kids and help equip these kids for life's challenges. We see kids who've had no independence at all who'll come to camp all anxious and maybe the first two days don't even do an activity because they're so anxious and so fearful about it. Through coaching and just being away from home and unplugged, they open up. They build confidence and accomplish overcoming some of these fears. You don't even recognize the person.
Why do you think these experiences are so important nowadays?
We feel very, very strongly that's it’s more important than ever before to get kids unplugged from technology, unplugged from the day-to-day life and the stresses that they're experiencing in life and just get out into nature. There's a disconnect with nature today. There's a disconnect with real relationships. You know, there's a screen addiction that is really doing a lot of damage to not just our kids but our families, all of us. And they need to get unplugged and into God's creation…and being still. You know we don't get to do that anymore, and things are changing so quickly nowadays.
Why should families make Sky Ranch a tradition in their homes?
Because of what's taking place in our world and in our children today. It takes a village. It truly does. You've heard that expression forever, but it takes a village today. It starts in the home, but there are kids that don't have it in their home. But their parents will send them to camp with a friend and their life's transformed. And guess what happens? They come back home and their whole family is transformed as a result of it. We're talking about impacting the next generation. This is our future. And if our kids are not growing up with strong values, strong morals, we'll continue to see the erosion of the moral fabric of our families and of our kids today. They need camp now more than ever before. There's power in what takes place in camp.
To hear my full interview with Linda, check out City Lifestyle with Angi Burns on YouTube.