Gratitude is one of the most valuable lessons we can teach our children (and ourselves), and summer camp is the perfect environment for it to flourish. In the rush of everyday life, kids often overlook the small, meaningful moments that make their days brighter. At Greenwood Trails, surrounded by nature and a supportive community, they learn to pause, reflect, and appreciate the world around them. Whether it’s thanking a friend for lending a hand, appreciating a counselor who assists them with a problem, recognizing the effort of the kitchen staff behind a warm meal in the dining hall, or soaking in the glow of the fire as we celebrate community at our opening and closing campfires, gratitude becomes a natural part of their summer camp experience.
Camp fosters gratitude through simple yet profound moments. Shared chores teach kids to value teamwork and others’ contributions. Nightly cabin debriefs/chats encourage them to reflect on the day’s highlights and express appreciation for friends and counselors. Immersion in nature helps them develop awe for the world’s wonders, inspiring thankfulness for the beauty that surrounds them in our wooded oasis in the Connecticut Berkshires. These experiences help children develop a mindset of gratitude they carry far beyond the camp gates, shaping how they approach challenges, relationships, and the world.
At camp, gratitude isn’t taught through lectures or rules; it’s learned through living. By practicing gratitude every day, children discover how small acts of thankfulness can lead to big feelings of connection and joy. As a camp director, I am honored to witness this transformation each summer, knowing these lessons will stay with campers for a lifetime.
Here’s a nice article about ways to foster gratitude in children and in our own lives: SEVEN WAYS TO FOSTER GRATITUDE IN KIDS
I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with gratitude, warmth and love!
With Gratitude,
Owen
