Compassion at Camp Wicosuta: Building a Kinder World

At Camp Wicosuta, we believe in building a community where kindness, understanding, and care are at the heart of everything we do. These values connect with our 3Cs philosophy—confidence, competence, and community. As we think about how these qualities shape camp, a recent study from the Muhammad Ali Center, called The 2025 Compassion Report, gives us an important reminder of why compassion matters in our daily lives. The report encourages places like Wico to lead with kindness and inspire young people to make a positive impact.

The report shares some eye-opening findings: 61% of Americans feel that people have become less compassionate over the past four years. Many admit to showing kindness only to those they know or agree with, while others feel that the way we talk to each other has become too harsh. Even though 70% of people want a more respectful and understanding world, only about one-third regularly show kindness to those who seem different from them. These findings remind us how important it is to practice empathy, understanding, and kindness—not just at camp, but everywhere.

At camp, we see the antidote to this decline in compassion through the connections we build every summer. Wicosuta is a unique environment where our campers and staff come from diverse backgrounds, sharing cabins, meals, and experiences that encourage them to see the world through each other’s eyes. Here, compassion is not just an abstract concept—it’s a practice, woven into the fabric of everyday life.

From welcoming new campers on opening day to cheering each other on during Color War, campers learn to look beyond themselves and consider how their actions impact others. A key part of this is helping campers move from empathy—feeling with someone—to compassion—taking action to support them. For example, when a camper notices a friend feeling homesick, they might offer a kind word or invite them to join an activity. These small but significant acts of care create a ripple effect, reinforcing the values of community and mutual support.

We also intentionally design programs that encourage campers to think about the needs of others. Shared experiences, such as participating in service projects (Project Morry Day) or planning activities for younger campers (big/little sister events, banquets and more) , help them develop a sense of responsibility and the desire to make others feel valued. By giving campers opportunities to step into leadership roles and practice kindness, we’re not just teaching them skills for camp—we’re equipping them to be compassionate leaders in their schools and communities.

The findings from the Ali Center’s report challenge us to consider how we can deepen our commitment to compassion, especially in a world where understanding and kindness are often in short supply. At Camp Wicosuta, we’re inspired to create a microcosm of what we hope the world can be: a place where everyone feels seen, supported, and empowered to lift each other up. The lessons learned at camp—sharing, collaborating, and caring for one another—extend far beyond the summer months, shaping how campers interact with the world around them.

As we look to the future, we are reminded that fostering compassion requires intentionality. It is a skill that must be practiced, nurtured, and celebrated. At Camp Wicosuta, we are proud to play a role in shaping a generation of young people who will carry these values forward, helping to create a kinder, more compassionate world—one campfire, friendship bracelet, and shared moment at a time.