A Culture of Rest
Driven by the mission to support a healthy spirit, mind and body for all, Camp Sea Gull and Camp Seafarer offer robust activities, full days and positive role models in a beautiful setting. We are also intentional to give our community the opportunity to reset and take a break from many of the pressures encountered outside our gates. Our technology-free environment fosters face-to-face, present communication which leads to lasting friendships.
Sleep is a critical element for recovery and impacts our community physically, emotionally and mentally. In addition to widely accepted physical benefits, research clearly demonstrates a link between sleep and the ability to effectively manage emotions, resolve conflict and show resilience in the face of challenges. Rested staff and campers are better prepared to thrive in our environment and are better positioned to develop lasting and healthy relationships.
Both Camp Sea Gull and Camp Seafarer will pilot a schedule adjustment designed to support a culture of rest during First Session, Mariners I and Mariners II. We will be monitoring the community's physical, emotional and mental health as we consider extending this pilot into Second Session, Mariners III and Mariners IV.
As part of this pilot and alongside an earlier staff time-off curfew, we will blow Reveille, the bugle that wakes campers, at 8:00 a.m. instead of 7:30 a.m. beginning June 16, which aligns with the first morning of First Session and Mariners I. This strategic adjustment is designed to support our entire community’s well-being and addresses the following:
- Campers staying longer than one week consistently report feeling tired. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends 8 - 12 hours of sleep for our camper-aged population. This adjustment helps campers achieve closer to 10 hours per night.
- The later start time in the mornings will not have an impact on upper ranks or instructional and general swim, ensuring campers still have the opportunity to cool off in the water and work towards goals.
- Developmentally, as youth approach the teenage years, natural sleep cycles shift later, making it more difficult to get up in the morning. This shift impacts our staff and the majority of our campers, making a later wake time beneficial.
- As always, campers who wake before Reveille can be prepared with books, quiet games and letter-writing supplies for some personal time on their bunk before the activities of the day begin.
- Staff well-being directly impacts the camper experience. Providing staff with an additional 30 minutes of rest in the morning ensures they are more likely to use that time for true rest.
- The morning hours are often the coolest, providing the most comfortable time for additional sleep and rest.
For more information about the impact and importance of sleep in children and teenagers, we recommend the following resources:
Thank you for your continued partnership. We look forward to a great summer!
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