What are your New Year’s resolutions for 2017? Maybe it’s to learn a new skill…or accomplish a specific goal. We hope all of our North Star campers include continuing to follow the RICHS as part of their resolutions for this year.
The RICHS is our core value system at Camp North Star that stands for Respect, Independence, Caring, Honor, and Spirit. We incorporate these values into our daily life at Camp North Star in Poland Spring, Maine. Our directors and counselors teach our campers to use these values every day at camp, to continue using them back home, and by doing so, it will help them to lead a richer life.
Camp North Star formally celebrates these values twice a summer at the RICHS ceremony that his held at our banquet at the end of Session 2 and 3. One camper is recognized for best exemplifying each value. A separate camper is named the recipient of the overall RICHS for the being the best role model and example who consistently uses all five values during the summer.
It is extremely gratifying to watch the ceremony and the reaction of the campers as the names of the recipients are announced. There is no jealousy or animosity amongst the campers that some may expect to see when campers don’t hear their own name. Rather the emotions displayed are the complete opposite, sheer happiness and excitement from seeing their friends and fellow campers being recognized. And usually it is accompanied by tears of joy.
One of our directors, Todd Mitchell, recently wrote an article for Maine Camp Experience about how the RICHS help shape our campers and the overall community at Camp North Star. You can read it by clicking here.
So be sure to add to your 2017 New Year’s resolutions to be more respectful, independent, caring, honorable and spirited, and you too will be richer for it.