Can you describe a time when you connected with a camper?

• Liz: Standing in the creek, listening to all those sounds around me, I take great joy in knowing that I’m more than just “a camp counselor”. I’m helping form core memories for these campers that they can carry on for years to come. I can still remember being 7 years old and traipsing around in the creek, getting stuck in the mud, and catching fish in a net. Those memories helped shape me into the person I am today, and I feel honored that I can help create those connections for others.
• Elly: I connected with many littles in my camp but it isn’t too much of a challenge to connect with kiddos at that young age. They seek that connection and are much more willing to open up. One moment that stands out to me the most was actually when I was filling in at one of the older age camps. One camper did not want to go in the creek that day - he said he wasn’t feeling up to it. So I said I would sit on the bridge with him and we chatted the whole time! He told me all about his interests and was genuinely excited to share the things he was passionate about with me. I am glad I could keep him company in that moment and get a glimpse into his life. He actually found me the next day even though I wasn’t filling into camp that day to give me some updates!
• Salem: One of my favorite campers this year was Leonie. Her French accent was absolutely adorable. We also had so much fun getting each other muddy on the muddiest camper day.
• Mason: During peek in the creek, I was catching crayfish with some campers, and we were all working together to see how many we could catch! Afterwards, one of the campers came up to me and said, “This is the best thing ever.”

What was your favorite nature moment? And/or your favorite nature place to be?

• Liz: Picture it. The sun shines down through the leaves, creating patterns on the surface of the water you are standing in. A wood thrush sings nearby. The wind blows gently through the trees, as a crayfish scurries past your toes. For many, that seems like a magical place to be–a place that is hard to come by. But for me? That was almost every day of camp. But even better than those idyllic moments? The sounds of kids splashing up and down the creek, and the cheers of “I got one! I got a crayfish!” even though it was probably their 20th crayfish…that day.
• Elly: My favorite nature place to be was the pond. I know all the hype usually goes to creek day but visiting the pond with the kiddos was my favorite. I loved our trips to the pond because no matter the weather or day there were always critters there. This summer we saw painted turtles, crayfish, bullfrogs, leopard frogs, tadpoles of all sorts, minnows, and a fishing spider at the pond! What is cool too is when we visited the pond the kiddos were not focused on trying to catch any of these animals - just observe them in their home.
• Salem: The creek was absolutely magical. Every time we passed the fossil [in the dells rock], the kids were amazed that there was a real-life fossil at Severson!
• Mason: My favorite nature moment this summer was either doing the creek walk through the dells at Severson or when we did an all-day hike in ‘Adventure Squad’ and walking through the prairies.

What was the funniest camp moment?

• Liz: One of the funniest camp moments for me is always the Muddiest Camper Contest which takes place during the Peek in the Creek Sessions. This optional activity challenges campers to get as muddy as possible in 10 minutes or less. I’m always impressed by the dedication of some campers–and my apologies to everyone’s showers at home!
• Elly: There were many funny moments from camp this summer. The littles are so silly each in their own ways but one moment that stands out for me stemmed from my favorite question I get a lot from kids. Every camp session inevitably a couple of kiddos ask the question “ How old are you?” and I always answer with the same thing: “Guess”. Usually I get some crazy responses such as “47”, “13”, or even “100”. However, one camper when I told them to guess looked at me and said “hold on - I am now a robot…scanning ... .scanning….scanning…” then proceeded to state my exact age on the first guess! It was crazy! I thought that was pretty funny and surprised me more than any of the usual ridiculous responses I had received.
• Salem: This was a moment with the 4-6 year olds in Little Pirate Camp. Elly asked what noise fish make when they swim in the ocean. Xander loudly yelled CRUNCH! And the whole classroom erupted in laughter.
• Mason: The funniest camp moment for me was during the mudiest camper when everyone was smearing themselves with mud.

What was the most inspiring/wholesome moment of the summer?

• Liz: As the leader for the “Junior Naturalists” (ages 7-11), many of my campers have a general comfort and ease in nature–it’s not their first rodeo so to speak. However, it is still a joy to watch them deepen those connections with nature. Another plus for the summer is the Adventure Squad, a newer camp for those ages 10-14. For that camp, we get to really dive into nature and lengthen the time we are outside–including a now infamous 5 mile hike to Funderberg Forest Preserve!
• Elly: During one of our camps this summer we had a camper who struggled a bit with regulating in the classroom and needed a little extra support. So many of the campers jumped in to hang out with them, play with them, and help them! These campers are so young and they are still learning the concepts around helping others and emotional regulation so seeing them offer their support was very wholesome to experience this summer. We make sure our staff and leaders are thoroughly trained in how to make Severson camps welcoming and inclusive to everyone but our campers don’t necessarily have the same training! That’s what made it even more special when these kiddos offered that extra support our camper needed.
• Salem: Forming various connections with many of the kids. I loved getting to know each kid and their unique, wholesome personalities.
• Mason: The most wholesome moment this summer was when I had a camper come and hug me. I also love it when campers are excited to show me what they found in the creek.

Did anything surprise you about summer camp?

• Liz: Turn on the news, read a blog on the internet, and all everyone is talking about is "the anxious generation", or the kids who "can't give up their phones". When kids arrive at Severson Dells camp, they are told no phones, no tablets, no screens. You'd expect there to be more of a fuss, but there isn't. And that always surprises me, but in a good way. I love the power of nature and free play in the outdoors, and how it allows kids a time to reset and recharge. Not once did I hear "I wish I had my phone", even while lounging around in hammocks or during inside mindful time. And that is always a pleasant surprise.
• Elly: I was surprised at how much I truly ended up enjoying it! I know I love kids, nature, and field trips (my job the rest of the year) but I was slightly apprehensive about camp at first. I did not grow up going to camps so I was nervous about creating the magical atmosphere that summer camps always have. As soon as I met the kiddos on the first day though I knew it would be easy. The campers are the ones who create the magic! We leaders just help carry it along. So in the end I was surprised how summer camp quickly became one of my favorite things and I had nothing to worry about after all!
• Salem: I was surprised by actually missing some of the kids. Only a week never felt long enough because of how much I enjoyed spending time with the kids.
• Mason: I was surprised this summer by how much fun I had. Even though I’ve been a counselor for over 4 years, Severson is just a blast to be at and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

What did you learn this summer? About yourself, nature, kids, etc

• Liz: Since I began my professional career in 2004, at least 20 of my summers have included some type of summer camp experience–some overnight, some day camps, some with teens, some with elementary ages, but all with a component of nature. But what draws me back year after year, is that I get to see nature in a new way, through the eyes of someone else, and that makes me love it all the more each time.
• Elly: I learned this summer that young campers are much simpler than expected. The majority of our field trip groups are ages 7 to 10 so being in charge of campers ages 4 to 6 was something new for me. But I learned that so much of their needs are still so simple like laughter, comfort, and adventure. Planning activities became a breeze when I realized that they just want to have fun and feel safe! They also helped bring out the curiosity and sense of whimsy in me. I enjoyed leaning into that side of me as well this summer.  I truly enjoyed learning from these campers and can’t wait to learn and play more again next year!
• Salem: I learned patience and how having patience can profoundly impact a child's attitude towards an activity/counselor. My appreciation for nature also deepened as I got to learn alongside the kids about birds, plants, trees, and more.
• Mason: This summer, I learned that I should give myself more credit, which isn’t always the easiest. I reaffirmed that I enjoy my time outdoors, and canoeing is the best way to paddle around.

Our camp staff built valuable experiences and lasting memories this summer camp season that was filled with catching crayfish, mud, discovery, and laughter. As we transition into the fall, Mason and Salem go back to school while Liz and Elly focus on field trips and homeschool programs. Even though the season is shifting, we will all look back fondly at the 2025 summer camp season as one to remember with a smile.