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In communities like Portola Valley, Woodside and Menlo Park, families have long valued opportunities that help children grow beyond the classroom.
For many, summer camp has quietly played that role for generations.
Nearly 50 years ago, a simple idea helped spark what would become a lasting part of the Peninsula community. A local educator began gathering kids together for a summer experience built around play, connection and time outdoors. What started small eventually grew into programs like Mountain Camp Woodside, part of a broader tradition that continues today.
While much has changed since those early days, the core value of camp has not. If anything, it has become more important.
Today’s children are growing up in a very different world. Research from psychologist Jean Twenge highlights how technology, especially smartphones and social media, has reshaped childhood. Kids are more connected than ever, yet many report feeling more isolated, anxious and less confident in face-to-face interactions.
At the same time, opportunities for unstructured play and independence have declined. Children are often highly scheduled, moving from one organized activity to the next, with fewer chances to simply interact, explore and figure things out on their own.
From a child development perspective, those experiences matter.
Children don’t just grow through instruction; they grow through experience.
Summer camp provides one of the few environments where kids can develop these skills naturally. They build friendships, navigate challenges and learn to communicate without the distractions of screens or constant adult intervention.
Research from the American Camp Association supports this. High-quality camp experiences are linked to growth in independence, resilience and social awareness, skills that extend well beyond the summer months.
What makes camp unique is how those skills are developed. They’re not taught in a classroom. They’re practiced in real life.
It’s joining a group of kids you’ve just met. It’s working through disagreements and moving forward. It’s trying something new and realizing you’re capable of more than you thought.
These moments may seem small, but over time, they build lasting confidence.
In Peninsula communities, where families often prioritize both academic and personal growth, camp offers an important balance. It provides a setting where kids can step away from structured environments and simply be kids while still developing the skills that matter most.
After more than 15 years working in youth development, one thing is clear: camp is more than just a summer activity. It’s a place where children learn how to connect, adapt and grow.
And in today’s world, that may be more important than ever.
Jim Politis is camp director at Mountain Camp Woodside, a co-ed summer day camp located on the Woodside Priory School campus in Portola Valley.
