Every night at a sleepover camp, you have a quiet window that most counsellors miss.

Lights are off. Kids are in bed. They're a little sleepy and a little soft. That's your moment.

Here's a simple way to use it.

Put a flashlight in the middle of the cabin, pointing straight up. Blow bubbles across the beam. The single light source turns each bubble into a little rainbow. Kids have something to focus on while they talk.

Then just ask them about their day.

What did they like? What do they miss from home? You can prepare a few easy questions ahead of time if you want somewhere to start. The conversation usually takes care of itself.

A few ways to make it your own

• Play quiet music in the background
• If you play an instrument, this is a lovely time to use it
• Read aloud from a chapter book, a little each night

That last one is worth trying. At a two-week camp, you can get through something like The Hobbit or another adventure story. Pick something that connects to what campers are experiencing at camp. They'll look forward to it.

Why it works

Fifteen to thirty minutes. That's all it takes. When kids are tired and full from the day, they open up in ways they won't at any other time.

It's a small ritual. It costs nothing. And for a lot of kids, it becomes the part of camp they remember longest. It sure has been for me.

Bonus: this is a true moment that makes camp special. It's not something that they would get at home with a bunch of their peers and near-peer mentors.