Somewhere along the way, “confidence” started to look like perfection.

For boys, that can be a heavy load to carry — the idea that they have to be the fastest, strongest, or smartest to belong. But real confidence doesn’t come from winning. It comes from trying, failing, learning, and trying again. At Camp Winaukee, we believe in creating a culture where boys can grow without the constant pressure to perform. Where they don’t have to choose between individuality and belonging.

Failure Is the Best Teacher

When boys experience setbacks in a supportive environment, they build resilience. Missing a goal, losing a game, or falling short in a challenge gives them a chance to reflect — and to realize that failure isn’t final.

Counselors at Winaukee often model this, sharing their own stories of trying and stumbling. Boys learn that strength isn’t about never falling — it’s about getting back up.

Redefining Success

We try to shift the focus from “Did you win?” to “Did you grow?” This simple change reframes how boys measure themselves and others. It encourages curiosity, persistence, and humility — qualities that help them lead well later in life.

Building Emotional Safety

Confidence flourishes where boys feel safe being themselves. In a boys-only community, they can drop the armor. They can be silly, sensitive, brave, and bold — often all in the same afternoon. That emotional safety allows them to experiment with leadership, empathy, and self-expression. It’s how they discover who they really are.

The Takeaway

If we want confident boys, we have to give them permission to be imperfect. At Camp Winaukee, that’s the heart of everything we do: helping boys become the kind of confident that lasts — the kind built from courage, kindness, and self-knowledge.