The Importance of Play
Did you know play isn’t just for kids? Yes! Play is beneficial to children and kids at heart alike. It helps to relieve stress, improve brain function, boost creativity, improve relationships, and increase activity level. Also, “Play can boost your energy and vitality and even improve your resistance to disease, helping you function at your best.” (HelpGuide.org, para. 10) During childhood recreation, kids learn body language, boundaries, teamwork, and healthy communication.
Recreation boosts productivity, making for a successful workday. For example, “It can strengthen your bond with your coworkers and improve your job performance. For people with mundane jobs, maintaining a sense of play can make a real difference to the workday by helping to relieve boredom.”(HelpGuide.org, para 19). Incorporating fun on the job prevents burnout and encourages teamwork.
Encouraging communication and collaboration through recreation is the mission of Camp Echoing Hills. Camp is where campers come to make memories that will last a lifetime. Including the annual Sports Retreat!
Individuals from each Echoing Hills region came to camp for two days to participate in games, activities, and crafts. With options like archery, axe throwing, putt-putt, and water balloon launching, days fly when you’re having fun. Activities Assistant Sarah explains, “Many were so excited that they could do the events themselves. These activities, especially ones like axe throwing, help them to feel confident in themselves! One camper I met at this event last year came to me at the end of camp and said, ‘Sarah, when I see you, I feel so confident and happy.’ It was such a sweet reminder of why we do this event!”
They played indoor games and made crafts, ending the first night with a hayride and a bonfire. The following day was filled with activities such as shot put, discus, club throw, softball throw, and a t-ball batting competition. Before saying goodbye, each athlete received a medal, a trophy, and ribbons from the events they participated in. Sarah says, “It was so fun to see them get excited about the awards and feel that sense of accomplishment. Some campers came running up to the table when their names were called!” They ended their time together with a drawing for gift baskets for athletes and staff. The gift baskets had four themes: game night, spa day, gardening, and baking.
Echoing Hills believes in the power of play. A core part of our organization’s mission is to celebrate life while inspiring hope. The camp team shares the love of Jesus with campers and encourages them to embrace their identity in Christ.
https://www.helpguide.org/mental-health/wellbeing/benefits-of-play-for-adults
