Across the North Shore, thousands of kids are enjoying summer camp. From the echo of age-old “repeat after me” songs and the shrill of whistles during capture the flag, to cannonballs splashing into pools and friendship bracelets traded like treasure — camp is in full swing. But behind the bug spray and sunscreen lies something far more important: the growth and development of our youth — and the emerging leaders who guide them.
At the YMCA of the North Shore, we see it every summer. Camp is not just a way to keep kids busy — it’s where they grow. It’s where they learn and live the core values of honesty, caring, respect, and responsibility. It’s where youth development and social responsibility aren’t just slogans — they’re the foundation of everything we do.
In a world where so many relationships are formed virtually, camp offers something unique: the chance to unplug and connect. Face to face. Heart to heart. At YMCA camps, those connections spark empathy, build resilience, and forge lifelong friendships.
And research backs this up. The American Camp Association finds that campers grow in confidence, independence, social skills, and leadership. These outcomes—like self-respect, a sense of community, and emotional resilience—help young people thrive long after the summer ends.
At every one of our camps — Children’s Island Camp in scenic Marblehead Harbor, Camp Harbor Quest in historic Salem, Camp Tricklin Falls tucked into 14 wooded acres in Kingston, Camp Dory on Chebacco Lake in Essex, and Camp Spindrift on Gloucester’s waterfront marsh — we’ve seen it happen. Shy kids blossom into team captains. Nervous first-timers proudly pass the deep-end test. Year after year, campers return until one day, they’re showing up in their first counselor-in-training T-shirt, ready to give back as mentors.
Because being a counselor isn’t just a summer job —i t’s leadership in action.
Our counselors learn how to lead with empathy, resolve conflict, manage groups, and adapt to any challenge. Many of our staff — directors included — began their careers as teen counselors. Camp taught them how to lead with purpose, how to serve others, and how to work as a team. These are skills that extend far beyond summer — they’re the tools for a lifetime of success.
And these aren’t just feel-good stories. The National Academies of Sciences confirms that out-of-school-time programs like summer camp are essential to youth development, especially when they offer strong adult-youth relationships, a sense of belonging, and opportunities to contribute. That’s exactly what YMCA camps deliver.
Summer camp doesn’t just benefit kids, it strengthens entire communities. Children return to school more confident, more engaged, and more resilient. Teens gain work-ready skills, a sense of identity, and purpose. Parents and guardians have peace of mind knowing their children are safe, active, and supported.
At the YMCA of the North Shore, we serve thousands of families each summer across our seven locations. Thanks to generous donor support and robust financial assistance programs, every child has the chance to experience camp, regardless of their family’s income. We partner closely with local school districts to support shared students, employ educators over the summer, and provide families with the continuity and care they need.
So the next time you pass a group of kids heading to camp, or see a counselor grabbing their morning coffee with arms full of friendship bracelets, remember: this is more than summer fun.
This is youth development in action. This is leadership in motion. This is one of the smartest investments we can make — in our children, and in our future.
Gerald MacKillop is chief operations officer of the YMCA of the North Shore.