William Lawrence Has One Daily Ritual (among many) that Girds Boys with Self-Control, Respect and Appreciation for Others
By alumnus Isaac S. Peterson (1987-1995)
All philosophical stripes are noting the decline in adult male development. As such, there is a lot of discussion about helping boys become better men. But boys are boys first. As a parent, grandparent, aunt or uncle, you value you son, grandson and nephew as more than what they will become. Boys are valuable as boys and not simply as “young men.” And while the hunger for now largely abolished boy-to-man rituals is common in modern Western society, daily rituals are a good step for healthy boys to become healthier boys. And that will always lead to healthier men.
The twice-daily flag ceremony is one such ceremony that goes deeper than observance. And, by the by, there are many, many flags and nations that William Lawrence celebrates. In the dining hall, the flags of Zimbabwe, Venezuela, England, Scotland, Sweden, Australia, Mexico, New Zealand and countless other nations are honorably hung from the rafters to celebrate the worldwide legacy of William Lawrence, its valued international alumni, its programs and the common bonds of which For Lawrence We Stand; a song sung in many languages and accents.
See You at the Knoll
Tradition and ritual run deep in the culture of William Lawrence Camp. From the candle light ceremony at the end of every session to the raucous chants passed down for decades there are key ceremonies that mark different times of the day, the week and the month. All overnight camps have these but the focus of the flag ritual is to think more broadly about the country and their community there at the camp.
But this summer camp ritual also previews a critical habit for all of boyhood, teens and adulthood: showing up.
You’re a Grand Old Flag
Before breakfast, the tight harmony of the “Reveille” bugles through the camp’s PA system. Da-da-dah da-da-dah da-da-DAH da-da-dah, da-da-DAH-da-DAH. The campers and counselors yawn and tumble out of bed, heading for the knoll. Everyone gets in a straight horizontal line. The entire camp is in one place for one purpose: to raise the flag. Counselors eye up the line, ensuring it’s straight. A volunteer clips Old Glory into the rope, and it’s hoisted. Each boy and young man watches silently. At evening, after dinner the same quiet assembly observes the lowering of the flag for the evening.
It’s a daily ritual where everyone shows up, stands in line, is silent, and outwardly observes a dignified reverence for a shared emblem and experience.
Flag Raising and Lowering as Healthy Rituals
- it creates an ingrained low-demand commitment: boys know, “ok, I’ve got to be here at this time“
- not every boy at camp can hit a baseball a country mile, but every boy can succeed at the flag ceremony: show up, stand still, be silent for maybe 180 seconds
- it shows everyone shares at least one thing at the camp: everyone comes from around the world to this camp in the U.S. and everyone comes from around the camp to this one place which is the flag pole at the knoll
- surveys and studies ranging from Mauritius to Massachussetts have shown that rituals have a tempering affect on the neural agony of personal challenges and apprehension about future unknowns
- boys get a sense of comprehending an appreciation or at least observance for this country: a very large home community and its aspirations towards shared freedoms and duties.
A Day’s Journey: From Dawn to Dusk and the Moments in Between
As always, rituals are part of a rhythm. As boyhood has its rhythms: frenetic movement of sports, dancing, skateboarding, building and the rocket-launch-control-room focus they appear to get when zeroing in at a particular video game.
From the morning’s high energy start to the afternoon’s blend of tasks and rest, and the reflective close at sundown, each day they spend at the camp is a journey. They eat, play, and learn together, immersing themselves in the camp experience.
Each night as they fall asleep and each new morning as they awaken, they internalize the importance of routine. Despite challenges, they learn that a new day always dawns, filled with hope and opportunities, molding them into resilient young adults.
The impact of the summer camp transcends the physical boundaries of the campsite, becoming part of the boys’ life fabric.
Something Bigger Than Themselves, but Also Not Smaller
The practice of daily rituals, such as the flag-raising ceremony at William Lawrence Camp, serves as a profound lesson in respect, community, commitment, and personal growth for boys. It instills in them the importance of showing up, participating, and understanding the significance of shared emblems and experiences. It’s these daily, seemingly mundane routines that make a significant impact on a boy’s journey to becoming a balanced, healthy individual.
The camp experience, underscored by various rituals, provides more than just fun—it gives the boys invaluable life skills, a sense of community, and a deeper understanding of nature and of their place in the world. Above all, it nurtures them to face life’s challenges head-on with resilience, humility, and respect for others. It’s in the ordinary daily rituals that extraordinary boys are shaped.
William Lawrence is hosting a 110th year anniversary this coming August 26th! Come share in the traditions of the camp with previous director Jon Haycock and many international alumni! Sign up for our Bulletins and Blogs for more articles on healthy boys’ development, William Lawrence news and more!
