Your kids can’t wait for summer vacation, but did you know they lose valuable skills over summer? Kids spend the first two months of the school year getting up to speed, but summer camp activities can provide the mental, social, and physical stimulation they need to start the year off strong.
And summer camps aren’t some lost relic last seen in “The Parent Trap.” They’re still going strong today with millions of children attending camp each year!
Not only are kids more prepared on the first day of school, they also develop valuable life skills they can’t learn anywhere else, such as the following:
- Teamwork
- Survivalism
- Cultural awareness
- Personal autonomy
- Leadership
And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. So let’s unplug the Xbox for a while and delve into five reasons why your kids need summer camp activities in their lives.
Unplug From Tech and Tune into Nature
Every year you hope your kids will put down that iPad or game controller, just for a second. But it’s hard to compete with new video game releases and the pressure to stay connected digitally with friends.
The only thing that competes with video games and social media is adventure.
Ask yourself this: When do your kids typically unplug from technology? When they’re on a haunted hay ride, sledding down a hill, painting, or playing a sport perhaps?
This is what makes summer camp activities unique. They take away the distractions of technology and replace them with an appreciation for the world, particularly nature.
Think about it: If your kids already love roughing it outdoors in video games, wouldn’t they love to learn the basics of starting a campfire or finding a trail?
Summer camp activities can include the following as well:
- Packing for a camping trip
- Pitching a tent
- Carving wooden tools, shapes, and figurines.
- How to use a map and compass
- Cooking from scratch and growing food
- Going on nature walks
- Visiting old barns, historical houses, and other historical sites
- Making wallets, gear, and clothes
Summer Camp Activities Improve Problem-Solving Skills
Summer camp is about learning to do things on your own and with others.
Earlier you learned that summer camp teaches kids how to pitch tents, find trails, and make their own belongings. Not only do these activities promote personal autonomy, but they also challenge campers to work with their peers.
Learning how to work in a group helps kids succeed later on in group projects, debate teams, school organizations, sports teams, and eventually, their careers.
Moreover, teamwork helps kids discover leadership skills they never knew they had which can set the stage for future roles in community organizing, business ownership, and even government.
Teamwork is also proven to provide the following benefits as well:
- A greater sense of personal ownership
- Trust-building skills
- Conflict resolution
- More generation of ideas
- Taking creative and healthy risks: Think outside the box!
- Teamwork increases morale and because kids feel involved and valued.
Improve Social Skills & Communication
No two kids are made alike.
Some are shy and some are more talkative, and many kids struggle with developing healthy social skills in the school yard.
But summer camps provide a healthier space for kids to communicate, bond with peers, and develop those long-lasting friendships.
In fact, one study from California State University at Fresno found that 95% of campers improve their social skills over summer.
The study also revealed the following:
- 99% of parents reported their kids made new friends at camp.
- 62% of campers improved their understanding of friends’ emotions.
- 100% reported making new friends over summer.
Moreover, summer camps are diverse, so kids are exposed to more cultures, interests, and stories. Kids are thrown together with kids from neighbouring cities or all over the country, giving them more opportunities to meet peers to connect with.
This also gives them a greater sense of the world around them, increasing their awareness and empathy for others.
Develop Personal Interests and Hobbies
As a parent, you can also increase your kids’ chances to connect by enrolling them in summer camps that focus on a particular passion.
For example, suppose your child is interested in art, music, and film. Creative summer camps can provide enriching opportunities like these:
- Working with a team to develop and direct a short film or play.
- Learning how to draw nature and animals.
- Clay sculpture and pottery making.
- Learning how to write short stories, screenplays, and other creative writing.
- Vocal classes and song writing
Not only do campers build upon their passions, but they get to meet other kids who share those same passions.
Moreover, hobbies have significant health and psychological benefits too:
- Reduces stress
- Think clearly and improves focus
- Improve school skills
- Inspire personal autonomy
Engage in Consistent Physical Activity
This is one of the most crucial benefits of summer camp.
Children between the ages of 6 and 17 should devote at least an hour per day to some type of physical activity, whether it’s sports, dance, aerobics, or outdoor activities.
The benefits of physical activity are not up for debate, so here’s quick refresher from the CDC:
- Consistent physical exercise throughout childhood increases endurance, which is an asset for focusing in school.
- Develops strong bones and muscles.
- Can help decrease stress and anxiety.
- Decreases the risk of childhood obesity.
- Can help decrease depression.
Getting kids excited about sports and exercise can be a battle, but summer camp inspires a genuine interest in staying active.
With the help of engaging programs and passionate counsellors, summer camp can get your kids off the gaming couch and into the following summer camp activities:
- Obstacle courses
- Team sports like basketball, baseball, or soccer
- Dance classes
- Beginning gymnastics
- Beginning rock climbing and hiking
- Swimming classes
Summer camps and summer camp activities go the extra mile in developing a connection to nature, critical thinking skills, positive social interaction, personal interests, and a healthy physical lifestyle.
So yes, you CAN compete with that Nintendo DS this summer.
Don’t let learning skills and hobbies go to waste. Break the cycle and select a summer camp that best fits your child’s interests and social needs.