Blog January – Maslow
How Camp Delivers on Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is a motivational theory in psychology comprising a five-tier model of human needs, often depicted as hierarchical levels within a pyramid. From the bottom of the hierarchy upwards, the needs are physiological, safety, love, esteem, and self-actualization.
Every person is capable and has the desire to move up the hierarchy toward a level of self-actualization. However, progress is often hindered by a failure of attaining the lower levels.
What I find very exciting and fulfilling as a camp director, is how camp is a provider of all the lower-level needs and contributes in a significant way to the psychological well being of our campers and staff. To have the opportunity to deliver the lower levels of the hierarchy, knowing how important those levels are to a person’s success in life, is the most rewarding part of my job.
To better describe how camp has such a lasting effect, let us look at each level and break down the areas of camp that deliver!
Physiological needs:
These are the physical requirements for human survival. The most basic needs. Of course, we know our BVG campers and staff get these things at home, but camp is like a second home, and we take our role in providing nourishment and shelter from the heat and elements, fresh air from our natural environment, and chill time to heart. We are thoughtful in our programming, how it is structured and delivered, the facilities we use, and the professionalism of our staff. Providing the physical environment that allows your children to feel safe and supported is a key metric we set for ourselves and aim to exceed each summer.
Safety needs:
With physical needs taken care of, safety becomes our next dominating need. Especially in children, who have an even greater need to feel safe and supported. This is a no brainer at camp. The safety of our campers and staff is paramount and at the heart of every decision, we make. Outside of physical safety, we think about mental safety. Our program schedule, being more relaxed and flowing, shows our dedication to providing a camp day that is packed full of fun, but always full of wonder and awe. We don’t do ‘stressful’ here!
Love and belonging needs:
What is camp if not the one true place where everyone feels at home, a part of a community, loved and supported, and truly ‘one of us’. It is at camp, where time and again, I hear people share stories of their best days, the people who became lifelong friends, and the memories they turn to when feeling down. Our feeling of belongingness is heightened at camp. Here we celebrate each camper and staff for who they are, as they are.
Esteem needs:
All of us need to feel respected; this includes the need to have self-esteem and self-respect. We all crave to be accepted and valued by others, especially our peers. This is not just true for children and youth, this need follows us through adulthood. At BVG Camp, we know this well. We designed our camp programme to deliver to each camper the ability to self-direct, to safely build a new repertoire of skills and interests, to be empowered to shine their light and be seen and heard. Nurturing our staff and camper’s sense of self, so that they see their full value, and share it with others, is a core competency of our camp.
Self Actualization needs:
The top of the pyramid. The place we all strive towards. This top triangle depicts what a person’s full potential is, and the realization of the potential.
This is described by Maslow as the desire to accomplish everything that one can.
At camp we have an abundance of activities, many that push our campers and staff to go beyond their comfort zone and explore more of who they are. Everyone has their own idea of what they are meant to accomplish. For some this happens in athletics, others in tech and science, or the arts, or business! For some, like me, it is in the nurturing and coaching of others. Whatever our goals in self-actualization, camp gives us the opportunity to develop ourselves, to test ourselves, to reflect and pursue – in a place that is safe, where we are loved and supported, where we know we are accepted, where we belong!