Why Camping Can Be Great For Boosting Teen Self Esteem: Teen Perception of Self Worth

Camping can be a fantastic adventure, as well as an excellent way for teens to spend quality time with other family members or friends during the summer months.

Why is camping so great for boosting teen self-esteem?

In psychology, self-esteem expresses a judgment or evaluation of one’s self, as well as an understanding and attitude towards oneself depicted in terms of self worth.

The article, “Maslow’s hierarchy of needs” suggests a five-stage model for self-esteem.

“This five stage model can be divided into basic (or deficiency) needs (e.g. physiological, safety, love, and esteem) and growth needs (self-actualization).”

Camping offers teens a wonderful opportunity to boost their self-esteem, as well as that of others, while they have fun at the same time. Parents and other family members, teachers, as well as friends, play an important role in building and maintaining the self-esteem of teens, but at times, it may seem that there are no easy answers.

Inter-personal relationships are important and many teens have a relatively low self-esteem, regardless of what parents or other family members, teachers, or friends attempt to do or say to resolve the problem. Self-esteem problems arise for many different reasons including dysfunctional family relationships. At times, the life style of families and communities contributes to low self-esteem of teens. Other factors may include learning curves, level of education, physical or health status and hormone changes during teen years.

Camping presents a unique challenge for teens in many ways. It offers a multitude of positive, constructive and motivational opportunities in which they can become actively involved and succeed. The health benefits of camping, fresh air, sunshine and exercise for anyone in their teen years cannot be under-estimated. Whether camping alone or with family or friends, a vast realm of wilderness life is open for exploration. Camping also presents a potential, new learning experience every time a teen journeys into that realm of discovery.

Many campgrounds and trailer parks offer new learning opportunities that prove to be beneficial with respect to enhancing teen self-esteem. Long-term camping facilities offer structured lessons including certificates for camping-related basics like mountain climbing, swimming, canoeing, hiking, high water rafting, scuba diving, fishing, mountain biking, etc. No two places are the same and may hold special events geared towards teen achievements.

Camps designated for teens offer the possibility of making new friends and building strong, positive, life long relationships with others their own age, while camping. Many teens relate well to camp counselors or become camp counselors. For teens, camping can be an exciting way to enjoy life while they become mature, well-balanced adults able to cope with the complexity of life.

While camping, many teens learn how to cope with negative peer pressure and concerns that lead to low self-esteem like the use of nicotine, alcohol and substance abuse. They also learn how to relate appropriately to their peers and often have positive peer role models who may be a influence in their future lives.