How We Cultivate Kindness at Camp
At Berkshire Lake Arts Camp, our top priority is building a culture where each girl feels seen, supported and part of a caring community.
Our goal each summer is to foster a warm and welcoming sisterhood where girls feel safe, encouraged and empowered – a place where they can be their authentic selves. Our non-competitive approach to the arts allows campers to try new things, grow their skills and take creative risks without fear of judgment or pressure. We place a high emphasis on the process of learning and growing rather than on being “the best,” allowing our campers to build confidence at all stages of their development.
This philosophy is woven into everything we do at camp. In addition, we take intentional steps to cultivate a kind, inclusive, and supportive environment, including:
Throughout Camp
All campers and staff follow our multi-point code of conduct, which outlines how we treat one another and what behaviors are expected at camp. Everyone signs off on the code of conduct before camp begins, and we review it with the entire community at the start of each session to reinforce expectations and promote a positive, respectful environment.
We also encourage campers and staff to celebrate each other’s efforts and contributions. Our “shout-out” cards, read at daily assemblies, give everyone a chance to recognize each other’s kindness, teamwork and achievements, helping foster a supportive and connected community. Plus, our “We’re Listening” cards create a culture of safety, where campers can give feedback or ask for help in a low-pressure or private manner.
In the Bunks
Learning how to live with others is an important part of the camp experience, so we pay close attention to bunk dynamics and laying a strong foundation that promotes kindness. We have put thoughtful structures in place to foster harmony, cooperation and community among bunkmates.
One of these is our bunk agreements. In addition to the camp-wide code of conduct, on the first day each session, campers and counselors in a bunk come together to create their bunk agreement – a collaborate “community contract” that everyone signs. This gives campers a sense of ownership over their bunk culture and sets clear expectations for behavior, personal responsibility, and how they treat each other. It also provides our trained counselors with a helpful starting point for resolving conflicts that may arise.
We also use a chore wheel in every bunk. Each day, campers complete a small task that contributes to the bunk’s cleanliness and smooth operation. This encourages responsibility, teamwork and sense of pride in caring for their living space.
Kindness is at the heart of our camp life, and we take pride in fostering a place where campers feel valued, connected, and empowered to be their best selves.