Summer is here and it’s time to think about how we can make it a fun and enriching one for our children. Between summer vacations, play dates, and summer sports it can get tricky to find time for anything else. But what do our children do during the summer days? Could they benefit from time with peers and structured activities? Summer camp can be a great solution for kids and for parents alike!
Did you know that there are many benefits of enrolling your children in a summer camp? Thanks to our friends at Kids R Kids for these 5 ways summer camp can benefit the entire family!
There is a camp for that…
There are so many different types of camps that it’s likely you can find a camp that caters to your child’s specific interests. This is especially true for arts, sports, science, and nature. If you’re child has no special interest, you’re also in luck! A lot of the local camps cover a wide variety of activities so it’s possible your little one will develop their own special interest from exposure during summer camp. Some camps even have theme weeks so if you have a science lover, for example, look for camps that offer a science-themed week.
Keeping it social…
It’s easy for kids to lose touch with their friends during the summertime. But as we all know, summer comes with the risk of increased screen time {which can be detrimental to the growth of your children’s social skills}. While a little phone time here and there is even beneficial, too much of a good thing can become a bad thing. A camp setting encourages communication with peers, teamwork, empathy, and lasting fun memories shared with others.
No cliques here…
A unique aspect of camp is that those detrimental social cliques seem to go away. Many times, kids are exposed to new friends and bonding occurs that is very different than in a school setting. Your kid can be whoever they want to be in a new environment which can be empowering and exciting as they learn and grow into the person they want to become. It’s truly a special bond that occurs at camp amongst peers.
Creating leaders…
For many kids, the empowerment of connecting with new friends comes with confidence. They’re able to conquer a new environment with new people, and likely enjoy every step of the way. While it may not be conscious, kids at camp are learning valuable skills they can take with them throughout their childhood and even into adulthood. Many camps have camp counselors in high school or college and campers lean on them for support and guidance. Many kids look up to their counselors and some even want to become counselors based on their positive experience.
Keeping active and healthy…
Lastly, and just as important, camps promote physical activity by offering several sports and activities throughout the day. Some camps even encourage healthy snacking and eating, promoting and encouraging an eating schedule throughout the day.
Looking for a Summer Camp? Check out our Summer Camp Guide!
