Camper Character Session: Turning Feelings Into Something Constructive

 

Character Fuel for Campfire: Turning Feelings Into Something Constructive

I’ll never forget a camp "Olympic" theme session. The cabin groups took on different country roles to learn about that country and compete in different camp competitions. Archery, swimming, obstavcle courses, and of course the infamous "tag team chicken wrestling" that was the highlight of the penultimate campfire night. (An entire other story)

Two teams had battled for the lead all week, and it all came down to the last relay. Our cabin’s runner stumbled right before the finish line. The other side won, and just like that, the championship slipped away.

The air was thick with emotions. Some campers were angry, blaming the runner. Others tried to laugh it off, even cheering that the other team had messed up earlier in the day. And a few just looked scared—worried that the loss would divide the cabin.

That’s when our cabin leaders stepped in. They didn’t scold, they redirected. “Channel it,” they said. “If you’re mad, use it to cheer louder at campfire tonight. If you’re tempted to celebrate someone else’s mistake, flip it and celebrate their effort. And if you’re afraid, lean on each other, that’s what makes us a team.”

By the time the closing campfire rolled around, something shifted. The anger had turned into the loudest songs of the summer. The cheap laughs gave way to genuine applause for everyone’s effort. And the fear had melted into arm-in-arm unity around the fire.

That night, the cabin learned something bigger than winning a game: feelings are powerful, but how we channel them decides whether they divide us or bring us together.

This is the essence of servant leadership. Just like camp leaders model calm, respect, and encouragement, we can lead in our families, schools, and communities by putting others first, helping them grow, and guiding strong emotions into positive action. When we do, we don’t just hold people together; we inspire trust, build resilience, and create a culture where everyone can thrive.

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