Why We're So Enthusiastic About... Enthusiasm in Children

How cultivating zest for life at a young age sets children up for lasting happiness

There's a reason we call our programs SuperHero Camp, STEMHero Club, and GameHero Camp. It's not just because kids love superheroes (though they absolutely do). It's because we want every child who walks through our doors to feel like they have something extraordinary inside them—something worth getting excited about.

I recently came across an Atlantic article by Arthur Brooks that stopped me in my tracks. Not because it told me something new, but because it validated what we’ve been seeing in our Perfectly Me programs for years: enthusiasm isn’t just a nice personality trait. It’s one of the most powerful predictors of a happy, fulfilling life.

And here’s the exciting part: it’s something we can actively cultivate in our kids. 

The Science of Leaning In

Psychologists have long studied the "Big Five" personality traits—openness, conscientiousness, extroversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism. But recent research has zeroed in on something more specific: within extroversion, it's enthusiasm that seems to matter most for well-being. Enthusiasm is defined as being friendly and sociable—"leaning into" life rather than withdrawing from it.

The opposite of enthusiasm isn't introversion. It's withdrawal—being easily discouraged and overwhelmed, pulling back from experiences and relationships. And here's what struck me: while major personality changes are rare, smaller shifts are absolutely possible. Simply put, people, including children, can learn to become more enthusiastic.

Which got me thinking: if adults can learn enthusiasm, imagine how much easier it is to nurture it in children before withdrawal patterns ever take root.

How Values-Based Programs Cultivate Enthusiasm

At every Perfectly Me program, you'll see enthusiasm in action—and it's contagious.

It's the kindergartner who arrives nervous on the first day of camp and leaves telling everyone about the kindness project she led. It's the STEMHero Club member who fails at his first bridge-building attempt, then throws himself into version two with even more determination. It's the group of kids cheering each other on during a community service project, genuinely excited to make a difference.

We don't just hope enthusiasm happens. We design for it.

We create belonging first. Children can't lean into life if they're worried about being judged. Our "belonging without judgment" philosophy means every child—neurotypical and neurodivergent alike—has a place where they can show up fully as themselves.

We celebrate effort, not just outcomes. When kids know that trying hard matters more than being perfect, they're more willing to dive into new challenges. Resilience—one of our core hero values—is really just enthusiasm that's learned to bounce back.

We make it hands-on. It's hard to withdraw when you're elbow-deep in a science experiment, collaborating on a game design project, or working with teammates to solve a real problem. Active engagement breeds enthusiasm naturally.

We surround kids with enthusiastic adults. The Atlantic article mentions "emotional contagion"—the way we adopt the emotions of people around us. Our facilitators aren't just supervising; they're modeling what it looks like to be genuinely excited about learning, growing, and serving others.

Starting Young Matters for Childhood Values Formation

Here's what I keep coming back to: childhood values formation happens in these early years, when patterns are still flexible and minds are still open. A child who learns to approach new situations with curiosity rather than fear, who experiences the joy of contributing to something bigger than themselves, who discovers that setbacks are just setups for comebacks—that child is building the foundation for a lifetime of leaning in.

Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote, "Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm." And based on this piece we might want to add: nothing happy was ever sustained without it either.

At Perfectly Me, we're not just running camps and clubs. We're helping children develop the character traits—kindness, respect, empathy, resilience, responsibility, teamwork, and yes, enthusiasm—that research shows lead to flourishing lives. Whether you’re looking for summer camps in Maryland, enrichment programs in Baltimore, or year-round support for your child’s development, our programs are designed around one core belief:Every child deserves to wake up excited about who they're becoming. 

That’s not just sentiment. It’s a research-backed approach to raising confident kids who can navigate challenges, build meaningful relationships, and contribute to their communities. 

When we teach children to lean into life with enthusiasm–to approach experience with openness instead of fear, to see setbacks as learning opprortunites–we’re giving them more than summer memories or after-school activities.

We’re giving them a foundation for happiness that can last a lifetime.

---

Ready to see enthusiasm in action?

Our programs are designed to help every child discover their inner superhero–the part of them that’s brave, kind, resilient, and ready to make a difference.

Explore our programs or connect with us today to learn more.