As the director of Greenwood Trails, a coed sleepaway camp in the Berkshires, Connecticut, I love sharing stories that inspire our campers to grow, reflect, and become the best versions of themselves. One of my favorite traditions at camp is telling the Cherokee parable of the two wolves at our opening campfire. It’s a powerful lesson about self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and making positive choices—all of which are at the heart of the Greenwood Trails experience.
The Parable of the Two Wolves
A grandfather sits with his grandchildren by the fire and tells them:
“A fight is going on inside me. It is a terrible fight between two wolves.”
“One wolf is evil—he represents anger, jealousy, greed, arrogance, self-pity, and resentment.”
“The other is good—he represents joy, love, kindness, humility, gratitude, and compassion.”
“This same fight is going on inside you—and inside every other person, too.”
One of the grandchildren asks, “Which wolf will win?”
The grandfather replies, “The one you feed.”
How This Lesson Relates to Kids
Children experience a wide range of emotions—frustration, self-doubt, and fear, alongside kindness, resilience, and joy. Every day, they make choices:
- React with anger or patience
- Include or exclude a friend
- Give up or keep trying
At Greenwood Trails sleepaway camp, we help kids recognize that they have control over which “wolf” they feed. Our camp environment fosters self-awareness, emotional regulation, and personal growth, helping campers develop habits that serve them not just in the summer, but for life.
How Greenwood Trails Helps Kids Feed the Right Wolf
1. Encouraging a Growth Mindset
At our Connecticut summer camp, kids are challenged every day—whether it’s climbing the ropes course, learning archery, or acting in a camp play. Instead of feeding fear or self-doubt, they learn to embrace new experiences with courage and resilience.
At Greenwood Trails, we believe that FAIL stands for “First Attempt In Learning.” We teach campers that setbacks are stepping stones to success—reinforcing the growth mindset that helps them in school, sports, and relationships.
2. Teaching Kindness and Inclusion
As a coed overnight camp, Greenwood Trails fosters friendship, teamwork, and empathy. Living in a bunk with new people teaches kids to cooperate, communicate, and support each other.
- Helping a nervous friend try something new
- Cheering for teammates in Color War
- Encouraging and welcoming a bunkmate who feels hesitant to join in a group activity
These small moments feed the wolf of kindness and inclusion, reinforcing values that last beyond the summer.
3. Instilling Gratitude and Positivity
Without phones, social media, and constant digital distractions, campers at Greenwood Trails learn to appreciate the simple joys—a breathtaking sunset in the Berkshires, a hilarious campfire skit, or the pride of mastering a new skill.
When campers take time to reflect and express gratitude, they train themselves to see the good in life—a skill that leads to greater happiness and emotional well-being.
4. Helping Kids Handle Conflict & Emotions in a Healthy Way
At camp, things don’t always go as planned:
- A team loses a big game
- A camper misses home
- Friends have disagreements
Instead of feeding frustration or resentment, our counselors teach kids how to identify emotions, communicate effectively, and resolve conflicts positively. These problem-solving skills build emotional intelligence and boost confidence, preparing kids for real-life challenges beyond camp.
5. Fostering Independence & Decision-Making
At Greenwood Trails, kids make choices every day:
- Which activities to try
- How to handle challenges
- How to treat others
Without parents guiding their every move, campers develop independence, accountability, and confidence. The more they practice making positive choices, the stronger that habit becomes.
Camp Lessons That Last a Lifetime
One of the greatest gifts of sleepaway camp is that it creates a safe space for kids to experiment with their emotions, reactions, and choices. At Greenwood Trails, we help campers see firsthand how feeding the “good wolf” leads to a happier, more fulfilling experience.
When kids return home, they carry these lessons with them:
✅ Kindness is powerful
✅ Gratitude makes life richer
✅ Resilience helps them overcome challenges
✅ They have control over their own actions and emotions
At Greenwood Trails, a top-rated sleepaway camp in the Berkshires, Connecticut, we believe in helping kids become the best versions of themselves. Every day is an opportunity to feed the positive wolf, build confidence, and develop lifelong character skills.
So, the question remains:
Which wolf will your child feed this summer?
