Help change lives.
Laughter is the Best Medicine
(Above: Jake golfing at our Campfire Classic 2012)
While it seems like there are new “holidays” popping up everywhere (National Doughnut Day, Pancake Day and Origami Day), we want to take a moment to celebrate April, National Humor Month. We have all had days where we need a bit of cheering up, and we probably have all heard the phrase “laughter is the best medicine.”
With the hope of learning about how humor, good friendships and camp have a lasting positive impact on kids, we had a chat with Jake, a North Star Reach Camp on the Move camper.
Jake, can you tell us about your camp experience?
“I went to Victory Junction, another SeriousFun Camp in North Carolina. My favorite thing about camp was all of the activities we did. We got to schedule an activity for two hours every day. This past year I did archery. It was great because I really had the time to learn and improve my skills during the week.”
April is National Humor Month, can you tell us a little about how humor has helped you through tough experiences?
“Humor definitely helps get me through tough stuff. For example, when I have been in the hospital – I go to C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital – the doctors and I joke back and forth about University of Michigan vs. Ohio State. It helps a lot to be able to laugh and have some fun. The doctors at U of M are really great. And at camp – everyone really makes you laugh – there is always something going on that will get you laughing. The first year – when you don’t know many people, you don’t know what camp is going to be like and maybe you’re a little nervous – it helps a lot to be able to laugh and just have fun. There is a lot of laughing at camp.”
What types of things would make you and your friends laugh at camp?
“We laugh a lot at camp. A lot of funny things happen when you are together with the kids in your cabin. For example, we were trying to go to bed, and a marshmallow war broke out. Or another time we played hot potato with a teddy bear. Or eating a donut with our eyes closed and no hands – frosting goes everywhere! Things like that really made us laugh.”
How are your friendships from camp still impacting you today?
“The friendships you make really impact you a long time after camp. It really helps to keep in touch – remembering who you met and remembering all the things you did together. Sometimes during the year when you are with kids at school, you can’t always do the stuff that they are doing – and maybe you just can’t do what they are doing at the moment, but you can remember that there are other kids who feel the same way that you do. It helps to know you aren’t alone and you have friends that understand and have similar struggles.”
We heard that you are an Eagle Scout candidate – congratulations! Can you tell us about the Eagle Project you are doing?
“I have been in Boy Scouts for three years. As an Eagle Scout candidate you have to complete an Eagle Scout project for an organization of your choice. My dad made the suggestion that I pick North Star Reach, I really liked the idea of being able to contribute to the camp as it is being developed. I’m building picnic benches for the camp, and I’m working on the project right now. It won’t be done for a while but I’m excited about it!