Imagine campers sitting around the table, not a cell phone in sight, as they eat a meal together in the dining hall at Resident Camp. The sound of laughter and joking around rings throughout the cafeteria as kids plan for a skit night that evening. Or, imagine kids working together to set up basecamp on an Expedition. They sit around the campfire trading stories, making s'mores and playing card games before a day of mountain biking the next day. These moments may easily come to mind when you picture what overnight camp is like at Avid4 Adventure. What you can’t see though are the transformations that happen—the moments that become punctuation points in a child’s life leaving them forever changed as they continue their adventures after camp is over. These experiences are so meaningful because they represent the transformative power of the outdoors, friendships and strong role models. Below are two stories that highlight these very special experiences.

For many of us these days, taking and sharing pictures is a natural part of our daily routine. And the desire to take great photos only heightens when you're with your family are on an exciting adventure in the picturesque outdoors! We all want to capture that perfect picture of our kiddo sending it off of a jump on a mountain bike, paddling a speedy turn in a kayak or climbing to the top of a rock wall.

A Life-Defining Experience: Looking Back on Summer Camp as an Adult

We'll let you in on a secret: All parents are afraid of sending their kids to overnight summer camp. It's no easy thing to pack up your baby (even a teenage one) and send them miles away to sleep somewhere entirely new for two weeks. But while it's totally OK—good, even!—to have concerns, you shouldn't let them stop you from giving your kid one of the most confidence-building, independence-bolstering, unforgettable experiences of their life. (If you're a camper, check out this great article on how to convince your parents to send you to overnight camp).

Overnight Camp Video Series - Founder, Dave Secunda Shares Valuable Message from Parent

Avid4 Adventure Overnight Camps offer kids and teens the ability to build technical skills in a wide range of outdoor sports like kayaking, rock climbing, mountain biking and whitewater rafting. In the process, campers develop soft skills as well like confidence, teamwork and independence. What we do not talk about are the things parents often learn after their child attends camp. Watch the video or read the full transcript for an inspiring story on this subject from Dave Secunda, founder of Avid4 Adventure.