Why Summer Camp — and Community — Matter So Much for Kids
By Shannon Cesare
Summer camp gives kids something they don’t get enough of anymore: time. Time to play. Time to move. Time to figure out who they are and where they fit.
At Mountain Roots, camp isn’t just a place kids go during the summer. It’s a community. It’s where friendships form, confidence grows, and kids learn—sometimes without even realizing it—how to be part of something bigger than themselves.
I know the impact of camp firsthand because I was a camp kid myself. I traveled here from Connecticut for summer camp back in 2008 and completely fell in love with the Blue Ridge Mountains. There was something about this place—the landscape, the people, the sense of connection to the mountains—that stuck with me.
Years later, I’m still in touch with some of the friends I made during those summers, which says everything about how real those connections were (shout out to cabin 8!). While Mountain Roots was still in the formation stages when I was here as a camper, the community it creates feels so familiar. Camp helped me find my place and my purpose. It’s where I realized how powerful nature and community can be, and it’s what led me to become an environmental educator—someone who now gets to help others form that same sense of connection and belonging.
Kids Learn by Being Together
A lot of growing up happens in the in-between moments. At camp, kids are constantly practicing social skills—working things out during games, learning how to include others, navigating disagreements, and celebrating wins together.
They’re learning how to speak up, when to listen, how to lead, and how to follow. Counselors are there to guide and support, but kids are given space to try things on their own. That balance matters. It builds confidence and helps kids feel capable.
Play Is How Kids Make Sense of the World
Play isn’t extra—it’s essential.
Through games, imagination, and creative activities, kids learn how to problem-solve, take risks, and express themselves. They figure out what they enjoy and what challenges them. They learn that it’s okay to mess up and try again.
Camp gives kids permission to be kids. To laugh loudly. To move their bodies. To get dirty. To create their own fun. It is less restrictive than the traditional classroom that most kids are familiar with, but learning is happening all the same. That freedom is where so much growth happens.
Community Is What Makes Camp Stick
What makes camp truly special is the sense of belonging.
At Mountain Roots, kids aren’t just dropped off and picked up—they’re welcomed. They’re known by name. They’re part of a group that cares about them. Over time, those connections grow deeper.
Some of our campers come back year after year. Some become helpers (Roots Crew). Some return as staff. That kind of continuity doesn’t happen by accident. It happens because kids feel safe, supported, and valued here.
The Impact Lasts Long After Summer Ends
Camp might only last a few weeks, but what kids take with them lasts much longer.
They leave with stronger friendships, more confidence, and a better sense of who they are. They carry those experiences into school, into their families, and into the world around them.
At Mountain Roots, we talk a lot about growing our roots. Camp helps kids grow strong roots in themselves, their community, and the natural world!
And when kids have roots, they’re grounded and better prepared to grow—wherever life takes them.
References & Further Reading
If you’re interested in learning more about why outdoor play, community, and summer camp experiences are so impactful for children, these resources offer helpful insight and research:
Rooted In Nature and Community– The Story of Our Name—By Ali Lien—Co-Founder and Executive Director
American Camp Association (ACA)– Research from the ACA shows that camp experiences support growth in confidence, social skills, independence, and leadership—especially when kids return year after year.
Harvard Center on the Developing Child– Their work highlights how relationships, play, and safe environments are essential for healthy brain development and emotional well-being in children.
Children & Nature Network– This organization focuses on the benefits of connecting kids with nature, including improved mental health, attention, resilience, and overall well-being.
The Anxious Generation – Jonathan Haidt– Explores the impact of screen time and reduced free play, and emphasizes the importance of real-world experiences, independence, and connection for today’s kids.
Last Child in the Woods – Richard Louv– A classic read on how nature supports child development and why outdoor experiences matter now more than ever.
CDC: Social-Emotional Development in Children– Offers accessible information on how social connection, play, and supportive communities help children thrive.
