How Girls Camp & High Adventure Camp Can Develop Relationships Youth Need | An Interview with Dan and Dave Gray

Dan Gray is an author, licensed psychotherapist, and lecturer. He co-founded the LifeStar Network, an internationally-known program designed to help individuals, couples, and families who have been impacted by a family member’s unwanted compulsive or addictive behaviors. Dan mostly loves being a husband, dad and grandpa, while helping other men become stronger and more loving leaders and mentors in their homes.

Dave Gray has an entrepreneurial spirit and has enjoyed careers in the real estate and mental health fields. He believes in the symbiotic connection between the relationships we have with those around us, and the choices we make in our lives. He passionately cherishes his relationships with others, especially his close family and friends and specifically with his kids. Dave couldn’t be more excited to create powerful and unique opportunities for parents and their kids to make deep and meaningful connections with one another through Bridgecamp.

Links

Bridgecamp.com

Transcript coming soon
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Highlights

4:30 Introduction to father and son Dan and Dave Gray

7:15 Dan mostly works with people struggling with pornography and other addictive behaviors.

9:24 Dan’s therapy work and the genesis of Bridgecamp

13:45 Overview of Bridgecamp. A place for parents and their kids to connect.

16:01 Components of Bridgecamp: Adventuring, learning, and serving

18:45 The power of experiential activities

19:30 Dan shares how experiential activities with his dad created a strong relationship between them. These activities also gave his dad opportunities to teach him.

23:15 Experiential activities for the youth and church leaders. These activities help leaders connect with the youth and give opportunities for the kids to grow in different areas.

24:50 Bridgecamp is a one-on-one experience for kids 12 to 17. Now that the Church isn’t associated with Boy Scouts it’s a great opportunity to get out and camp and be mentored.

28:00 The best way to describe Bridgecamp is that it’s a relationship-, trust-, and connection-building program. It’s not a therapy program but it is a therapeutic environment.

29:00 Bridgecamp can be an alternative to therapy for a struggling teen. An opportunity for parents to break down their teen’s walls and connect with them.

32:00 How can we be more intentional when it comes to girls camp, high adventure, or doing parent and child activities?

35:00 When you are self aware you are also aware of what’s going on in your relationships and building them.

39:20 Addressing parental issues at Bridgecamp

42:35 Discussion and learning components at Bridgecamp

45:30 The mentoring aspect of the camp is important also. The staff are there to mentor, and give examples of healthy interactions.

46:00 We were created to connect. In Genesis it says that it’s not good for man to be alone. We all long for bonding and the love and connection with others. The camp plants the seeds to create a better relationship that you can continue to develop when you go back home.

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