Kids Find a Safe Space to Connect at Camp Weloki Spring Retreats

Packed with drama, friend issues and self-doubt, school can be difficult for any kid to navigate through. But when they have the right tools in place to handle anything the day throws at them, our tweens and teens can come out stronger and more confident by that last bell.

For the past 25 years, Dr. Tim Jordan has helped give girls ages 8-18 a stronger voice to better resolve the normal issues of growing up, whether they stem from their classmates at school or the voices of self-doubt in their own minds. Through his yearly Camp Weloki spring retreats, girls come together in a safe, judgement-free zone where they can talk open and honestly about the issues affecting them and craft crucial coping skills.

And this year, he’s opening the same opportunity to boys so they can spend a weekend relaxing, connecting and bonding.

The reason for retreats

For three weekends at a lodge in St. Clair, Mo., kids discover a place where they can bond through traditional camp activities, like games, hiking and s’mores around a campfire. But where they truly connect is in a simple circle on the carpet.

“The main word here is safety,” explained Dr. Jordan, “What is said on the carpet stays on the carpet. We give them an opportunity, away from school, away from family, where they can have an open discussion about the issues they’re facing in life. They can listen to other people’s stories, relate to one another, and hear suggestions to find the strength to deal with the negative self-talk, friendship drama, and mean girls. It’s really the key component of the retreat and what makes us unique.”

Throughout the retreat, girls learn how to peacefully handle conflict, develop leadership skills, communicate their concerns, learn self-calming tools, and develop the self-confidence we all need as we travel from grade school to adulthood.

According to Dr. Jordan, most girls are simply trying to handle normal growing pains, which are difficult to deal with on their own.

For girls in grade school, that often means teasing, feeling excluded, and comparisons to siblings. Even at this young age, many are also worrying about physical issues, such as their weight and body image. As they enter middle school, drama and mean girl issues ramp up – and when you add in school stress, an avalanche of activities, and hormonal changes, it’s not surprising their anxiety levels go through the roof.

At Dr. Jordan’s retreats, attendees are encouraged to slow down and learn to take care of themselves. In our fast-paced world, our kids no longer know how to just spend time alone and take stock of their emotions and connect with their intuition– to relax and let feelings come to the surface rather than fester inside. When they’re given that opportunity, they thrive.

Said Dr. Jordan, “Everyone believes when girls hit middle school, their self-esteem plummets, and it doesn’t come back until well out of high school, if even at all. I don’t necessarily agree with that – when you get girls into a healthy environment where they feel safe and they don’t have to worry about pressure or people judging them, they’re fine. When you observe typical girls in the hallways of school, they don’t look as well. The environment holds them back from speaking up.”

“Girls need safe spots, at school or at home, where they can relax with each other, let their hair down, and know they’re not alone,” he added. “That’s why retreats are so important. They know they’re not the only ones with those feelings. They no longer feel isolated.”

Reaching out to our sons

This year, Dr. Jordan’s son, T.J. Jordan, a high school mentor in the Chicago public school system, will lead a special retreat just for boys. While boys have many of the same issues as girls, especially in terms of alienation from other kids, they have their own issues to wade through – a journey that gets even trickier in middle school when testosterone kicks in.

The principle behind Camp Weloki for Boys is similar to the girl’s retreat, but activities are adjusted to better suit a boy’s way of communicating. Dr. Jordan noted boys aren’t known for sitting around and sharing their feelings – they learn better through action. So they participate in more team-building exercises, such as raft building, where they can discover how to treat each other based on their personalities.

“Boys too often stay quiet about their issues – they’re not supposed to show their vulnerability,” he said. “But boys have hearts and feelings too. They need a place that’s compassionate and allows them a safe space where their feelings are free to come out. Having male mentors to help them get there makes all the difference.”

For both boys and girls alike, Dr. Jordan and his staff of camp counselors – most of whom attended Camp Weloki themselves – teach them how to steer the risky behaviors that arise in adolescence toward positive risk taking that boosts their self-esteem and reflects their interests.

“We want kids to take risks and find new adventures. Bill Gates wasn’t 50 when he began the road to Microsoft – he was in his teens and early twenties. We want our kids to feel confident and build the skills they need to jump on the good parts of risk taking – to think outside the box without worrying what others think. That’s how you change the world.”

Camp Weloki Spring Retreats are currently enrolling now for the following dates:

  • All-Girl Middle School Journey for grades 6th – 8th: March 27-29, 2015
  • All-Girl Grade School Journey for grades 3rd – 5th: April 17-19, 2015
  • All-Boy Middle School Journey for grades 5th – 8th: May 15-17, 2015

Retreats are $335, and scholarships are available to those who qualify. In addition, you can reserve a spot for week-long sessions at Camp Weloki for Girls, which starts June 7. For more information or to enroll your child, visit www.campweloki.com or call 630-530-1883.

Photo: campweloki.com

 

Share This Story

Metro East mom Nicole Plegge has written for STL Parent for more than 12 years. Besides working as a freelance writer & public relations specialist, and raising two daughters and a husband, Nicole's greatest achievements are finding her misplaced car keys each day and managing to leave the house in a stain-free shirt. Her biggest regret is never being accepted to the Eastland School for Girls. Follow Nicole on Twitter @STLWriterinIL 

Our Daily Things to Do email is the easiest way to plan your day.
Follow Us
 
Things to Do

Japanese Festival at the Missouri Botanical Garden
Sunday, August 31, 2025
Monday, September 1, 2025

Celebrating the history, culture, and people of Japan, the Japanese Festival at the Missouri Botanical Garden is one of the largest and oldest festivals of its kind in the United States. Your family can enjoy guided walking tours, bonsai, cooking, martial arts and origami demonstrations, sumo wrestling, and special activities for kids.

View this event »
Toddler Time at The Magic House

Visit The Magic House for Toddler Time, a special early-morning program for toddlers. Children age 1-4 can take part in exhibits and exclusive interactive activities designed just for little ones. There are new themes every week!

 

 

View this event »
Kindergarten Prep
Wednesday, September 3, 2025
Wednesday, September 10, 2025
Tuesday, September 30, 2025

Your child is old enough to start kindergarten, are they ready? Are you? At this special presentation, both you and your child will get a brief overview of what is expected before your child even enters the classroom. You'll also receive a free backpack and school supplies. Registration is required.

View this event »
Want daily ideas of things to do? How about special offers & giveaways? Sign up and we’ll handle the rest.
Popular Stories

City Museum's Stuff the Bus Campaign Provides School Supplies for 160 St. Louis Schools

Visit City Museum August 4-17, bring school supplies to donate, and get discounted admission! That's the idea behind City Museum's Stuff the Bus campaign.

Continue reading »
Take Your Kids on a Trip Through Time: History Exploration Days at the Missouri History Museum

Each day, the Missouri History Museum immerses kids in the stories of St. Louis, written over hundreds of years and told through hands-on exhibits, fun-filled activities, and special family-focused events. During the school year, young history buffs of all ages can take an unforgettable journey to our city’s past with a special monthly adventure designed just for them! The Museum’s highly-anticipated History Exploration Days, starting back up this September, lets kids engage with history in creative and unexpected ways and discover how those who came before us continue to impact their lives today.

Continue reading »
Want Your Kids to Learn? Teach Them It’s Okay to Make Mistakes

It’s normal for parents to want to protect their children from failure. It’s also normal to want them to achieve, win, and do their best. But here’s the truth: We don’t learn anything new without making mistakes. I’ll say it again. Making mistakes is a crucial step in learning. If we’re fearful of making mistakes, learning comes to a screeching halt.

Continue reading »
10 Ways to Improve Your Child's Listening Skills

Focused listening is one of the most important skills your child will ever learn. Children with strong listening skills do better in school, sports, relationships and, eventually, in their careers. But many children lack this important skill and parents are rightly concerned. First, listening is much more than just hearing.

Continue reading »
7 Signs Your Kids Are Ready For Their First Sleepaway Camp

It’s time to decide whether to send your kids to sleepaway camp, but how do you know that's the right thing to do? How can you tell whether your kids are ready for their first extended stay away from home? Here are 7 important signs that experts say should inform your decision.

Continue reading »
You Might Also Like...

From Our Sponsors
Follow Us