As a parent, I worry about all sorts of things for my two sons. Katie and I work hard to prepare them for the “real world” by giving them the skills we feel they need to not just survive but rather thrive when they are on their own. One of the survival skills that we work on with our children is making real friends.
At Camp La Junta, we want that for your kids too. Not the kind of friends found online who ask to follow you or like your photos but real friends your child wants to spend time with. Kids he can talk to, share amazing adventures with, and rely on for support.
According to a recent study about creating friendships, Camp La Junta has been doing things right.
The study by University of Kansas associate professor Jeffrey Hall looked at how long it takes to create a true friend. His findings were particularly noticed by us here at camp. In the report published by the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, Hall found it takes around 50 hours of time together for people to move from mere acquaintances to casual friends; about 90 hours to venture past acquaintance to solid friend status; and more than 200 hours before you would consider someone your close friend.
What I find especially interesting is the type of “together” time that must occur. For instance, being in a school setting, working or studying together, isn’t as impactful as time where kids can just be kids. In fact, what the study found was that time spent hanging out together — sitting around talking, joking and laughing — is much more meaningful toward developing that friendship.
For over 90 years, Camp La Junta has provided these crucial opportunities for social interactions and friend development. While here at La Junta, your son creates that friendship that lasts a lifetime.
Aristotle said, “Wishing to be friends is quick work, but friendship is slow-ripening fruit”. We whole-heartedly agree!
Life is Good, Camp Is Better!
Scott
