Why Can’t Work Be More Like Camp?

Check in with your team regularly - formally or informally - to align, say hello, and build community.

After summer was over and he had attended one week of kindergarten, Jude, one of our campers, asked his Dad, “Why can’t school be more like camp?” Jude enjoyed his time with us, but most of all, he liked the way camp made him feel. He had fun, felt appreciated, cared for, and respected. 

Jude got me thinking…why shouldn’t everywhere in the world feel like camp? A place where people are encouraged to be kind and are rewarded for their HeroValues like kindness, courage, resilience, and compassion.

School? Absolutely! But how about work? 

Yes, even work.

Whether you're leading a team or just trying to be the kind of coworker people enjoy being around, here are 10 ways to bring Hero Camp energy into your workplace—and why doing so can transform your work culture from the inside out.

1. Create Community Agreements

At camp, the first thing we do is talk about how we want to treat one another. We call it our Community Agreements. It’s not a list of rules - it’s a shared commitment we make to show up every day in a way that encourages a sense of belonging, fairness, and it’s rooted in values like kindness, respect, and courage.

At work, start your next big team meeting or quarterly kickoff by asking: What are our Community Agreements and how do they reflect what we value? How do we want to show up together? Write them down and post it somewhere where everyone can be reminded of their shared responsibilities in maintaining a productive and respectful environment to thrive.

2. Make Daily Huddles a Habit

Every morning at camp, we gather in a circle and ground ourselves before we start the day. What are we excited about? How do we want to show up? What are we grateful for? We use the daily huddle to start each day anew, with positive intentions for our time together. 

At work, whether it’s a quick check-in over coffee or a full team meeting, regular team gatherings create a rhythm that reminds us that we’re part of something bigger than our to-do list. Allow people time to share how they’re doing and what they need support with.  

3. Reward the Right Stuff

At camp, kids get to be their best selves using their own HeroValues like kindness, courage, fearlessness, compassion, and resilience. When they exhibit these strengths, other campers and counselors use praise and rewards like our brightly-colored HeroValue wristbands to cheer them on! The support they get through praise and rewards keeps them going, fueling their positive self-esteem. It’s a cycle that gets repeated until all of our campers, no matter their strengths, feel seen and supported. 

At work, employment is typically incentivized through the usual ways: pay, benefits, and time off. But we often value having a positive and uplifting work environment more than we can imagine. Don’t miss an opportunity to cheer on your coworkers when they make big wins, or tell them how much you appreciate the positive ways they contribute and bring their own HeroValues to the workplace. We all need reinforcement some days, so make it a habit to recognize people for what they bring to the workplace that goes beyond a hard day’s work.

4. Build in Breaks (and Make Them Joyful)

We love a good dance party at camp during our breaks. The music comes on, and we see our campers light up with joy through music and movement. And the feeling is contagious as dancing brings us together to have fun. With dance, the campers let down their walls, have fun, and let the music take over for a few minutes.

At work, we can bring short, uplifting breaks into our office that help lighten the mood. Blast some fun music and let folks dance, stretch, or take a short walk to reset. 

Breaks at work are necessary - why not make them fun?

5. Make Room for Vulnerability

Some of the best counselors at camp allow themselves and their campers to be vulnerable. They don’t pretend to have all the answers all of the time, and they encourage kids to say when they need help or need more guidance. They model openness, which gives kids permission to do the same.

At work, vulnerability isn’t weakness—it’s leadership. Some of the best leaders admit when they’re struggling and need support. It models the type of openness that helps others do the same. It’s how we build real trust. 

6. Create Space to Regulate

At camp, we have spaces intentionally set up to help kids regulate themselves when things get hard. They’re called break tents and campers go there to reset and get their bearings. Kids don’t need to ask for permission; they simply make their way to these tents, and it signals that they need some time to themselves to regulate, breathe, or ground themselves. We stock them with coloring sheets, markers, fidget toys and squishy balls. 

At work, try to set aside some relaxing spaces in your workplace where people can go to get a breather. Maybe it’s a quiet room, a cozy corner, or even just an understanding that sometimes people need to step away for a few minutes. When we can regulate ourselves, we can return to our desks with more resilience to face the day.

7. Check in on People

At camp, our community of campers and counselors learn how to check in with one another. It’s as simple as asking “Are you OK?” or “Do you need anything?” Checking in on people shows empathy and compassion, and recognizes that sometimes things aren’t OK or going as planned, and that campers might need more support. 

When we fail to check in on our colleagues and staff, we’re overlooking the fact that people need to feel supported. Make sure to take time asking people how they are doing, and create space for honest answers. Because here’s the truth: If your company’s people aren’t okay, your company won’t be either. 

8. Reflect Often with Accountability and Without Shame

We end each day at camp with a reflection: What went well? What can we do better tomorrow? There’s no blame, just learning. 

At work, normalize honest reflection and allow people to take accountability for failures without shame of poor performance. Encourage a growth mindset that says that our missteps are learning opportunities we need in order to succeed in the long run.

9. Celebrate Wins (Big and Small)

Our campers know we’re going to celebrate wins big and small. Every day of camp, we witness our campers grow, and we cheer them on every step of the way as they evolve and learn new skills. 

At work, don’t wait for quarterly goals to high-five your team. Celebrate progress every step of the way and use your voice to raise people up and highlight their successes. 

10. Connect to Something Bigger

Our camp is more than just fun. Our camps are a community where kindness, leadership, and service to others are part of the adventure. We’re intentional with how we serve our community and make service to others a pillar of our mission as part of our Community Connection activities. Each week, our campers participate in a Community Connections project where they learn about an issue or challenge facing our community and how they can make a difference. Sample activities include making cards for kids in the hospital or making cat toys for the SPCA. When kids feel connected to something bigger than themselves, they learn to step up and become true leaders. They also feel good about themselves because they know they have purpose and value.

At work, reflect on how your team can make the world a better place and contribute to a larger mission. Seek ways to incorporate community service activities as part of team-building activities or as a way to get together socially. See how your team can come together to support a cause.

We’d love to hear how you’re bringing HeroValues to your workplace. Let us know in the comments! 

With Kindness, 

Raquel

Learn more about our Superheroes and the HeroValues they represent: https://www.perfectlyme.com/our-superheroes

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