When Kaitlyn Rowe, a Utah mom of four, was planning her summer activities for her kids, she recalled a brilliant idea she had seen on social media. This idea, which she shared on her Instagram page “Our Mama Guide,” quickly went viral. Titled “How to Be a Person Camp,” the initiative aimed to teach her children essential life skills in a fun and engaging way. Inspired by author Emily Ley, who has been running her version of this camp for three years, Rowe’s essential life skills checklist has become a hit with her family and followers alike.
The Inspiration
Emily Ley, the founder of the planner company Simplified and a mom of three, started her “How to Be a Person Camp” during the COVID-19 quarantine. Overwhelmed by the demands of working from home, homeschooling, and managing household chores, Ley devised a plan to teach her children age-appropriate essential life skills. “I knew if I could help them with some age-appropriate independence, it would also help me as well — and they just love the idea of being more grown up,” Ley told Good Morning America.
Kaitlyn Rowe’s Approach
Inspired by Ley’s success, Rowe decided to create her own “How to Be a Person Camp” for her 6-year-old daughter and 3-year-old son. “I’ve always thought it was such a good idea. So, I started making a list on my phone of ideas for my kids or what they could work on,” Rowe explained. Instead of signing her kids up for traditional summer camps, Rowe saw this as an opportunity to teach them essential life skills in a relaxed and enjoyable setting.
Rowe’s Instagram post, featuring photos of her meticulously crafted lists, resonated with many parents looking for meaningful summer activities. “This is something that they have really enjoyed, and I think it’s just the idea of, ‘I’m doing adult things. I’m being independent.’ And so they’ve just loved doing it,” Rowe said.
Essential Life Skills for All Ages
Both Rowe and Ley emphasize the importance of tailoring the activities to each child’s age and interests. For instance, Rowe’s 6-year-old daughter learned how to give change and count money, while her son practiced basic first aid. Ley’s list includes skills such as brushing and flossing teeth, writing thank you notes, and even fun activities like learning the Electric Slide.
Ley’s children, aged 8 and 12, took to the camp enthusiastically. “Whenever it was a rainy day or we had some downtime, they were the ones that spearheaded,” Ley recalled. “My oldest, for example, he loved learning how to scramble eggs and now … he loves to get up and do that.”
