What Would Rich Morell of Camp Birch Hill Say Is the Most Important Part of Camp?

When Rich Morell of Camp Birch Hill thinks about the benefits of summer camp, one word comes to mind: friendship. While the go-carts, kayaks, and other activities are fun, the most important part of any camper's adventures at Camp Birch Hill will be the friends he makes. Too often, children are shy and spend most of their time at home playing video games and watching television. Summer camp removes these barriers to social engagement and allows campers to make friends for life. 

The numbers speak for themselves. The American Camp Association took a poll and discovered that 96% of campers said that camp helped them make new friends. This gave them a greater sense of self and helped propel them out of their shells. Nearly 70% of the parents polled said that their children still remain in contact with the people they met in camp. These numbers speak to the structure of summer camp.

Our campers eat together, play together, and learn together. Our counselors and campers become one community who can look to one another for guidance, help, or just someone to take up the last spot in a game of kickball. During your time at camp, you will meet people who you wouldn't have otherwise and get to know them better. By the end of camp, you will have many new friends, some even for life. Rich Morell loves many things about Camp Birch Hill, but the friendships that are fostered here exceed everything else.