A Prayer for Summer Camp

As summer is still upon us, I think it is worthwhile to sample one prayer for summer camp that are developing (I foresee a similar post in about a month on the topic of new prayers for the start of the academic year).

I encourage you read this thoughtful post by Rabbi Jason Miller who shared a prayer he wrote last year on the occasion of separating from his son for his first trip to camp:

Tashuv Eleinu... May you return to us feeling energized by your first experience at camp.
Tashuv Eleinu... May you return to us having forged lasting friendships.
Tashuv Eleinu... May you return to us a little more mature and a little more independent.
Tashuv Eleinu... May you return to us feeling pride in your Jewish identity.
Tashuv Eleinu... May you return to us free of sunburn and too many mosquito bites.
Tashuv Eleinu... May you return to us having missed us but without having been homesick.
Tashuv Eleinu... May you return to us eager to share your camp memories with us.
Tashuv Eleinu... May you return to us ready to return to camp for many more magical summers to come.

This prayer says a lot of about parenting and the unique informal educational opportunities of camp.  My mom once claimed that my brother physically grew 4 inches after spending 2 months at summer camp and I know that she could prove how much we each matured socially and spiritual during those times away.  What is so special about distance from formal school that promotes such growth?