If you were to walk through The Mainland or across The Island on a sunny July afternoon, you’d hear it before you saw it: the roar of a breakthrough on the basketball court, the splash of a canon-ball into Lake Winnipesaukee, and the constant, rhythmic soundtrack of laughter.

To the outside world, it’s “just camp.” But after attending the American Camp Association’s Tri-State Conference and hearing from keynote speaker Catherine Price (author of The Power of Fun and The Amazing Generation), it’s clearer than ever that what happens here is much more profound.

At Winaukee, Fun is a core value. But as Catherine Price taught us, Fun isn’t just a byproduct of a good day, it is the very foundation of resilience.

What is “True Fun?”

Price defines “True Fun” not as the passive “fake fun” we get from scrolling through a phone, but as the confluence of three specific states:

Playfulness: The spirit of lightheartedness and lack of self-consciousness.

Connection: The feeling of being bonded to others.

Flow: The state of being so engaged in an activity that you lose track of time.

At Winaukee, we don’t just hope these things happen; we architect them. When a camper is locked in a tight tennis match (Flow), high-fiving his teammates (Connection), and wearing a ridiculous wig for a cabin challenge (Playfulness), he is experiencing True Fun.

The Resilience Factor

Price’s research highlights a startling truth: Fun is a health requirement. When we experience True Fun, our bodies lower cortisol levels and release oxytocin. This biological shift does more than just make us happy; it makes us resilient.

In a world where today’s youth are often dubbed the “Anxious Generation” due to the pressures of a screen-filled world, camp offers an alternative. Price calls this the “Amazing Generation”,kids who are empowered to reclaim their focus and find joy in the real world.

When a camper strikes out in a game or struggles to master a new skill on the waterfront, the “Fun” environment at Winaukee provides a safety net. Because the culture is rooted in brotherhood and play, the “failure” doesn’t feel like a catastrophe. It feels like part of the game. That is resilience in action: the ability to bounce back because the foundation beneath you is built on joy, not just performance.

Tips for Bringing the “Amazing Generation” Home

Inspired by Catherine Price’s resources, here are a few ways we can continue to foster this “True Fun” mindset outside of the summer months:

Prioritize “Screen/Life Balance”: Price often calls phones “WMDs” (Weapons of Mass Distraction). At camp, we are unplugged, which allows Flow to happen naturally. At home, try creating “Phone-Free Zones” to allow for uninterrupted play.

Seek “Fun Magnets”: Identify the activities or people that consistently spark laughter and connection. At Winaukee, the activities and our staff are our magnets. Find yours at home.

Embrace the “Playful Rebel”: Encourage your son to do things just for the sake of doing them, without the need for a trophy or a “like” on social media.

The Winaukee Magic

Fun is the lens through which we see everything. It’s why our coaches don’t just teach skills; they spark passion. It’s why our traditions have lasted over 100 years.

By prioritizing Fun, we aren’t just giving our campers a great summer. We are giving them the tools to navigate a complex world with a sense of wonder, a community of brothers, and the resilience to handle whatever comes next.

Here’s to another summer of True Fun. We’ll see you on the shores this summer.