Happiness and Friendship: A Camp Story

Kids go to camp for a million reasons and counting -- what's not to love about the great outdoors, leaving the electronics behind for a while, and learning a ton of new things?

However, it's easy to forget that having fun is about more than just fending off that summer boredom. When kids have a great time with friends who make them feel good about themselves, they are happier and healthier in the long run, according to The New York Times. In fact, having at least one close friend is an essential part of a child's mental health, especially when they enter adolescence. While we often associate mental health issues like depression and anxiety with adults, children can suffer from those problems, too.

The good news? Healthy, happy friendships have been shown to lower the risk of depression in adolescents. At Camp Foley, we seek to ensure that every camper forms strong relationships that are important to their well-being even beyond the end of the summer. With compassionate counselors, engaging activities, and a diverse new group of campers every year, there's a place for everyone in our little slice of paradise. And we know that when a child feels confident and loved, they reach for the stars.

Being a kid seems like an easy job sometimes, but even kids can get stressed, sad, or lonely. Foley is a great place for campers of all ages to find support and encouragement around every corner, and believe us, we take that to heart. Finding happiness is a big, beautiful journey, and we want to be there along the way for every Foleyite.

If you're looking for a summer full of great friends, new skills, and more than a few smiles, make sure to get registered for the summer of 2016! And while you wait for June to arrive, pay us a visit on Facebook and tell us about how your best friend makes you a happier you.