Revitalizing the Written Word
As a 4th-time returning counselor, I have supervised many long-standing traditions here at VAMPY. One of my favorites, which goes on for the entirety of camp, is the Warm & Fuzzy board. Based on The Warm Fuzzy Tale by Claude M. Steiner, our 4 x 8 foot cork board allows students to write uplifting and honest messages to one another for every camper to admire.
Without phones as a source of constant connectivity, students are encouraged to slow down their means of communication. For exchanges within the camp, this may mean writing their Warm & Fuzzy notes to friends in the evening and waiting until the morning to pin them up. For contact home, this may mean writing and addressing their first actual letters, which we send out at the Center on a daily basis.
Devoid of texts and pings, VAMPY campers are able to settle their minds and discover the advantages of time without technology. My hope is that through writing letters and exchanging kind messages, younger students can learn to appreciate the written word and revitalize slower and more intentional forms of communication.
Over time, I’ve watched students light up after spotting a handwritten message with their name on it or take pride in crafting a personalized note that improves someoneās day. These small acts of kindness reinforce not only empathy and connection, but also the personal agency behind words put to paper. In a fast-paced digital world, the Warm & Fuzzy board serves as a rare space where gratitude, encouragement, and creativity are tangibly felt and shared, one note at a time.
If you would like to participate in our tradition revitalizing āsnail mailā, you can always send your camper a letter or package. For more information, visit https://www.wku.edu/gifted/vampy/faq.php