Recently, I had the opportunity to hear Dr. Vivek Murthy, the U.S. Surgeon General, speak to an assembly of YMCA professionals. In his remarks, Dr. Vivek shared about his decision to issue two recent Surgeon General Advisories. One on Loneliness and Isolation, and the other on Social Media and Youth Mental Health. In front of an audience of non-profit leaders dedicated to Healthy Living, Youth Development, and Social Responsibility, the Surgeon General spoke with hope and conviction about helping youth and adults facing loneliness, isolation, and the mental health impacts of social media.
Amongst the scary statistics, the Surgeon General identified youth mental health as the defining public health crisis of our time. As shocking as that sounds, I wasn’t surprised. I have seen it day in and day out in our programs at Kitaki. In the youth that spend time at camp and with the families we interact with, I see daily examples of the impacts of loneliness, isolation, and mental health.
Dr. Murthy didn’t just discuss the problem, he also spoke about solutions. Solutions that I have also seen day in and day out. When he discussed the steps to building social connection to combat loneliness, he discussed sharing experiences, listening and being present, and seeking out opportunities to serve. All things that happen every moment of every day at camp. When he discussed social media and mental health he discussed the importance of times and environments that sounded a lot like Camp. In fact, so much of what we do at camp was uplifted as examples of what kids need – sharing meals, face to face connection and intentional listening, time in nature, physical movement, connection with supportive adults and peers. With every solution to this public health crisis that the Surgeon General shared, I could confidently say “That’s what we do at camp.” So much so that I believe, more strongly than ever, that if a team of experts were to design the most impactful intervention to address the public health crisis of youth mental health, they would design Overnight Camp.
As I sat in that darkened auditorium, I was reminded of why Camp is important. Overnight Camp has always been an intentional alternative to an overwhelming society. While I see the impacts of loneliness, isolation, and mental health in our campers, I also see the progress and the growth. The connection, the confidence, and the comfort that expands minute by minute, hour by hour, and day by day while a kid lives at camp.
As Dr. Murthy concluded his comments and my peers and I stood and applauded, two convictions were on my mind:
“We have work to do.”
and
“Camp is ready to do that work.”
Thank you for believing in what we do at Camp Kitaki. To see some familiar faces and a very familiar camp, and to learn more about how Camp Kitaki, and the YMCA is working nationally to address Youth Mental Health, you can watch this video which was shared at this same assembly of YMCA Leaders.
Jason Smith
Executive Director - YMCA Camp Kitaki
Upcoming Events:
Fall Adventure - Weekend Campout for Ages 7-14 - September 22-24
Halloween Camp - Silly Spooky Fun for Ages 7-14 - Pick one of 4 nights in October
Halloween Hike - Family Fun for all Ages - October 28th