We all know keeping youth engaged and excited to learn during the summer can be hard—but it doesn't have to be.

As for many members of the NAA Community, the summer camp months at my Boys & Girls Club are some of the most joyful, challenging and rewarding of our whole programmatic year.

The school-year is ending, and thoughts have turned to summer. When I look back on my time at summer camp, I recall very specific experiences—learning to fold and care for the American flag; hitting my first full canter astride a horse; learning sign language; pouring lye down the outhouse privy; synchronized swimming in the pond; singing silly songs around a campfire; peaceful devotions under a pine tree canopy; maybe even a few preteen crushes.