Sewataro Call and Response - Building a Camp Culture

Hey Sewataro Families!

(Hey What?!)

Imagine that you are 20 years old, and that it is the first period of the first day of your first summer job. There are 15 seven-year-olds sitting in front of you, excited for their first activity of the summer to begin. Some are first time campers, new to the scene just like you, but there are a few lifers in the mix too – kids who started attending camp at age 3.

You try to catch their attention, but you don’t know anyone’s name… ‘listen up’ isn’t working… you’re racking your brain thinking back to the past few weekends of training… and then their group counselor yells out “Hay!” and the group responds “Straw!”

Suddenly, the group is all ears, eyes on you, ready for you to lead them. It is so very simple - a few silly words - and its power is pure magic.

By the end of your first day, you’ve got a whole bunch of tools in your toolbox to gather the kids’ attention. Special words and phrases that elicit a remarkable reaction in these children. And the new campers have caught on too! The phrases are deliberately simple and easy to learn, but once you know them, you are a member of the group, and a part of something extraordinary.

At closing exercises, you watch in awe as these phrases garner the attention of 700 campers and 200 counselors. And the crazy thing about it is that no one feels like their side conversations with their group mates are being interrupted. No sighs or rolling eyes…. They tune in because they know that they’re about to witness and experience more fun.

These little moments are so special because they make everyone feel like they are a part of something bigger than themselves – the fabric of camp that started with the Taylor family generations ago. They are the cornerstones of the culture that every Counselor and Camper on Liberty Ledge is woven into, and helps to grow and evolve every summer.

The importance of this shared sense of belonging stays with us our whole lives. It is something we all value as adults, whether we experience it through family traditions, workplace culture, or social norms. One of the best parts of attending a local sporting event, for example, is that shared sense of who we are as hometown fans. Are you truly a New Englander if you’re never walked out of Fenway Park singing “so good, so good, so good…”?

Here at Camp Sewataro, we forge our community from the very first moment - starting with a call and response. We capture their attention in a collaborative and convivial way - and from there we build a culture of belonging, exploration, character, kindness, and spirit.

I have been lucky enough to experience the captivating exhilaration of waiting for what comes after “Hey Sewataro… Hey what?!” for nearly 10 years now, and I am so excited to share it with all of you.

Camp is one of my absolute FAVORITE topics, so never hesitate to reach out!