Updated: December 8, 2025
Just like migrating or flocks of birds, working together to forage or fly behind each other’s wind current and just like bees, who protect the larvae, produce wax, build combs and transport pollen and food – Good Teamwork is seamlessly working together for the greater good. Unfortunately, in today’s day and age, our children live much more solitary lives, with virtual friends through their smart-phones, computers and video games. Employers universally complain about the lack of interpersonal skills amongst their young staff – especially their poor ability to communicate face-to-face, and collaborate with one another. So what can we as parents do about it?
It starts at home, because every family is a team, and each team member should have meaningful responsibilities that contribute to their family’s success. Whether it’s setting or clearing the dinner table, collecting the garbage around the house and bringing the cans to the curb, vacuuming, doing dishes, pulling weeds, and as they get older – cleaning their own bathroom, and doing their own laundry – Kids need responsibilities in order to contribute to their family, and feel the resulting praise and growth. We do our children a disservice by taking care of every aspect of their day, when they are capable of contributing. The most successful adults are often those who were given responsibilities at a young age, developing their work ethic, and future “professional skills.” Camp is a powerful extension of that growth—an environment where kids build confidence, try new skills, and learn to navigate challenges on their own. And when it comes to life beyond the home, understanding how you choose a camp that fits their needs becomes an important part of fostering that growing independence.
Working with others is not easy for many children, especially those without siblings, or those with parents who act as their personal assistants. We know, as parents, that it’s not easy to work with difficult people nor difficult situations – but it’s a fact of life. Children need to experience these situations, and need YOU to coach them through the annoying classmate, the problematic situation, etc. – Not solve their problems, but advise them.
Summer Camp is one of the best environments for children to gain teamwork skills. Groups of campers function as teams and work together throughout the day doing various projects, mostly fun. Sharing, compromising, taking turns, and controlling emotions are all tremendous life skills that children learn at camp, all while being coached by friendly young people (with whom they listen to) – NOT their parents (with whom they argue). Camp is a powerful extension of growth—an environment where kids build confidence, try new skills, and learn to navigate challenges on their own. And when it comes to life beyond the home, understanding how you choose a camp that fits their needs becomes an important part of fostering that growing independence.
Both the Partnership for 21st Century Learning and the American Camp Association are committed to teaching essential life skills/soft skills like TEAMWORK, so that the next generation of young people entering the workforce and having families is better equipped to thrive as adults.
Andy Pritikin is the Owner, Director & Founder of Liberty Lake Day Camp, in Bordentown, NJ, Co-Founder of Everwood Day Camp in Sharon, MA, Partner at Camp Southwoods in Paradox, NY, and Past President of the American Camp Association, NY & NJ.
