stephenwinbaum
Communications Coordinator
/ Moderator
Nov 12, 2007, 1:07 PM
Post #1 of 1
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The Zen of Summer Camp
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Zen, a Japanese sect of Buddhism, is associated with 'peace' and 'stillness'.
Contemporary advertising and marketing have transformed this rigorous practice, based on hours of seated meditation (Zazen), and punctuated by moments of insight (satori), into a stripped-down, easily-accomplished, consumer state of mind.
In today's ads, Zen can be paired with the peace of mind promised by a soothing bubble bath, the restorative quality of moisturizing cream, or the simplicity of online banking. In advertising, merely mentioning the word Zen promises peace and tranquility.
Naturally, true practitioners and seekers will not be discouraged.
Similarly, summer camp is associated with fun and learning, and - like Zen - possesses moments of profound peace, stillness, and instances of insight. Good camps thematically build these moments into their activities.
Here are some quiet, still moments that can define summer camp:
Paddles up in a canoe floating on a still lake.
Calm, concentrated sessions of arts and crafts — the hands, eyes, and mind working in unison.
Singalongs around the camp fire at night — fun mingled with gentle, insightful songs, and backed by the strum of guitars.
Paddling down wilderness lakes and rivers on out-trips or hiking in the peaceful woods
Rest time in the cabins; time to read and absorb educational and entertaining writing.
There are other Zen moments at camp, and they are truly earned, unlike the profit-motivated aims of mass advertising, which attach Zen to serve its own interests.
Although summer camp is not austere Zen, it is Zen-like in its ability to offer a return to nature and a time to relax and explore intuitive states of knowing.
Stephen Winbaum is the Communications Coordinator of MySummerCamps.com
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(This post was edited by stephenwinbaum on Jan 17, 2009, 3:07 PM)
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