Letter to My 21-Year-Old Self as an Outdoor Camp Instructor

Dear 21-Year-Old Me,

You’re standing at the edge of your career in outdoor education, filled with passion and energy. You believe that a single camp can change a child’s life forever. And while your enthusiasm is admirable, let me share a few things I’ve learned in the last 20 years that might help you along the way.

1. You Can’t Change a Kid in 3 or 5 Days

At the start, you’ll think that a camp programme will magically transform a participant into a better version of themselves. But take a step back—teachers and parents have been working on this for years, and even they struggle. What makes you think you can do it in a few days? Instead of trying to force change, focus on being an awareness agent. Help kids see their own behaviors and give them the space to make their own choices. The best impact you can have is planting the seed of awareness that may grow long after camp ends.

 

2. Let the Kids Play

You started out as a strict, disciplined instructor—a bit of a “Drill Sergeant,” thinking that discipline was the key to make the kid better after camp. But you’ll soon realize that kids will be kids, and camp should be a place where they can truly play. Structure and boundaries are important, but within those, let them run, laugh, and explore. The more they play, the more they learn about themselves and others. And surprisingly, discipline naturally emerges when they’re given the right environment.

3. Learning Doesn’t Happen by Chance

You might think that simply playing a game will teach teamwork, leadership, or communication. But real learning doesn’t happen by accident. It takes intentional design. If you just copy an activity from another instructor or pull something off the shelf without truly understanding the nuances of what you want to teach, the impact will be minimal. Take the time to understand what teamwork and leadership actually mean before designing an experience that facilitates real learning. Be deliberate in your approach and don’t leave it to chance.

Keep Learning and Keep Growing

At 21, you may think you have all the answers, but the reality is that learning never stops. The best instructors aren’t the ones who believe they’ve mastered everything; they are the ones who keep refining their craft. Every camp, every group, and every experience will teach you something new—if you’re open to it. Seek out opportunities to upgrade your skills, ask better questions, and challenge your own assumptions. If I can help you shortcut what took me 20 years to learn, the next generation of instructors can be even better than we were.

So, to my younger self—stay passionate, stay curious, and never stop learning. There’s always more to discover.

Peaceful Vibes,

Adrian (2025)

At Blackbox Outdoor Education, we offer workshops to help instructors grow intentionally. The work we do matters, and by continuously improving, we create deeper, more meaningful experiences for the people we serve. Reach out to us to learn more!