We're Not Lost. We're Finding Our Own Way.
08.06.26
If you're between 18 and 25 right now, there's a good chance you've heard the phrase "lost generation."
It's in the headlines. It's all over social media. It's the conversation happening around dinner tables, in university careers offices and in group chats.
And honestly? We get why.
This generation has had a rough ride.
You grew up through austerity.
You spent some of the most important years of your education living through a global pandemic.
You've watched the cost of living rise, the housing market drift further out of reach and graduate jobs become more competitive than ever.
Now, just as you're trying to figure out your future, you're being told AI is changing the world of work too.
That's a lot.
So when people talk about young people feeling uncertain, overwhelmed or unsure of what's next, they're not wrong.
But when they call this a lost generation?
That's where we disagree.
Because being unsure isn't the same as being lost.
Not knowing exactly where you're going doesn't mean you're going nowhere.
And maybe the biggest mistake we make is expecting young people to have their entire lives mapped out before they've had the chance to properly experience them.
The Pressure To Have A Plan
Somewhere along the way, we've created the idea that successful people always know what's next.
Get the grades.
Choose the right course.
Land the internship.
Get the graduate job.
Start building your career.
Simple, right?
Except real life rarely works like that.
Most people don't have a perfect five-year plan.
Most people are figuring things out as they go.
The difference is that previous generations were often allowed to explore without feeling like they were falling behind.
Today, every decision can feel huge.
Every choice feels permanent.
And every scroll through LinkedIn can make it look like everyone else has it all worked out.
They don't.
Trust us.
What If The Point Isn't To Have The Answers?
What if the goal isn't to know exactly who you're going to be?
What if the goal is to give yourself the experiences that help you figure it out?
Because that's where growth actually happens.
Not in your comfort zone.
Not in your bedroom.
Not staring at another application form.
But out in the world.
Meeting people.
Trying new things.
Taking responsibility.
Making mistakes.
Building confidence.
Learning what you're capable of.
That's why thousands of young people choose to spend their summer working at camp in America.
Not because they have everything figured out.
Because they're figuring it out.
Camp Is More Than A Summer Job
Ask anyone who has done Camp America and they'll probably tell you they applied because they wanted to travel.
Or because they wanted an adventure.
Or because it sounded fun.
And they're right.
It is all of those things.
But somewhere between the campfires, the late-night cabin chats, the challenges, the friendships and the unforgettable moments, something else happens too.
You grow.
You become more confident.
More independent.
More resilient.
You learn how to communicate with people from different backgrounds.
You learn how to lead.
How to solve problems.
How to adapt when things don't go to plan.
You discover strengths you didn't know you had.
The funny thing is, these are exactly the qualities employers say they want.
But they're also the qualities that help you navigate life.
Finding Your Path Doesn't Happen On A Spreadsheet
Nobody comes back from camp with every answer.
That's not the point.
The point is that they come back with perspective.
A better understanding of themselves.
A clearer sense of what matters to them.
More confidence to take the next step, whatever that step might be.
Some people return to university with a fresh outlook.
Some discover a career path they hadn't considered.
Some decide to travel more.
Some simply realise they're capable of far more than they thought.
And that's valuable.
Because finding your path isn't about following someone else's map.
It's about creating your own.
You're Not Behind
If you've ever felt like everyone else is moving faster than you, this is your reminder that life isn't a race.
You don't need all the answers today.
You don't need your entire future planned out.
And you definitely don't need to compare your journey to somebody else's highlight reel.
The people who thrive aren't always the ones who followed the most obvious route.
They're often the ones who were brave enough to take a different one.
We're Not Lost. We're Here.
Maybe this generation isn't lost at all.
Maybe it's just doing things differently.
Exploring before settling.
Experiencing before deciding.
Living before labelling.
And maybe that's exactly what this moment calls for.
So if you're feeling uncertain about what's next, that's okay.
Most people are.
The important thing isn't having the whole route mapped out.
It's taking the next step.
And sometimes, that next step starts at camp.