10 Benefits of Summer Camp That Every Child Deserves

benefits of summer camp

Every year around 14 million children and adults attend camp around the US. That’s just one of the impressive stats listed on the American Camp Association’s website.

If all these folk found camp beneficial in some way, there’s a good chance you and your kids could too.

These are the benefits of summer camp that you need to know about.

1. Social Benefits of Summer Camp

Let’s face it, kids summer camp is no place for loners. It’s an ongoing social event packed with group activities and interactions.

If you send your child to a special interest camp they will find themselves among kindred spirits. Lifelong friendships can evolve at a robotics- or gymnastics-based summer camp. Later in life, this gives them a hand to reach out to in the field that interests them.

Campers learn very quickly that team-work makes the dream work. Being a team player is not only a vital characteristic for sports activities, but it can be a deal-breaker in today’s interconnected workplace.

2. New Experiences and Interests

Camp fun will always include aspects that are new to your child, even if you’ve chosen a specialized camp for their summer break.

Not only will they learn from the interesting scheduled activities during camp, they’ll pick up knowledge from their peers. Inevitably this leads them to discover new avenues of interests.

Novel physical activities could include boating, hiking, abseiling, camping, horse-back riding and more.

3. Breaking Down Barriers

In the summer camp atmosphere, children learn to get along. Everyone starts off on the same footing, far from their usual schoolyard social politics and cliques.

Often in the school environment, children become labeled as a ‘jock’, or ‘studious’ or a ‘cool kid’ and so on. Without these preconceptions, your child is free to explore other aspects of their personality.

At camp, it’s all about teamwork, so there aren’t individual winners to fit neatly into the school-time boxes.

4. It’s a Mental and Physical Workout

While there is time for chilling out, campers keep busy with scheduled activities almost around the clock. There’s no opportunity for lounging in front of a TV screen or computer all day as kids on summer break tend to do.

If they are in front of a screen (at a coding camp for example) they’ll be learning, not loafing.

Healthy outdoor fun and fresh air are part of the deal, even if you send your kids to a tech-based camp. Despite the unusual exertions, you’ll find that they return from camp refreshed, revved-up and raring to go.

5. Getting Out in Nature

There’s no arguing that time spent in nature boosts both mental, physical and psychological health.

Nature bombards the senses with all kinds of new smells, sounds, and sights. It provides challenges in the form of unnerving obstacles such as rivers, bugs, and unpredictable weather.

When you spend time in nature you learn quickly that some things are out of your control. The ability to accept these things gracefully can be a powerful tool throughout life.

Children learn to respect their environment and the importance of preserving the natural world. Nowadays, these eco-principles are vital survival skills.

6. Breeds Independence and Empowerment

One of the biggest summer camp benefits for your child is the fact that you aren’t there.

They are responsible for their own routine and making sure it fits in with the camp schedule. That includes tidying up after themselves, taking care of personal hygiene, and getting enough sleep.

Some camps give children the opportunity to participate in caring for animals like ponies and livestock. Others allow them to dabble in gardening during their stay.

This interest in plants and animals often continues in everyday life and could spark a lifelong interest in animal welfare or gardening pursuits.

7. Encourages Healthy Habits

Routine and rules are the order of the day at camp. There’s no room for negotiating with or manipulating those in charge.

While they are at camp children can’t be picky and choosy about what they eat. Peer pressure prevents picky eaters from kicking up a fuss about foods they don’t usually like.

They are sure to build up a healthy appetite each day, so a hunger strike isn’t an option either.

A healthy diet is the only choice at camp. However, catering services such as CampFood present these meals in a way that has kids at camp asking for seconds.

Summer camp can give your children a boost in the right direction, it’s up to you to keep it up.

8. Boosts Confidence

Nothing boosts confidence more than trying something new and succeeding at it. Even something simple like learning to play tennis is one more check on your child’s personal resume.

Gathering friendship bracelets from new-found buddies is a huge boost for self-esteem.

9. Learn Respect for Others

There’s no doubt that team activities are going to involve differences of opinion. Children quickly learn to respect each other’s points of view to reach a solution for each challenge.

They’ll also discover that their way is not the only way. By their very nature, team activities mean learning to make the most of each member’s strengths. It’s a relief for children to discover that they don’t have to be the best at everything.

They will learn to value each team member’s contributions – no matter how small.

10. Builds Resilience

Another major reason why summer camp is important to your child is that they will learn to cope.

Problem-solving becomes a daily reality as new challenges emerge. Things will go wrong and they’ll learn to deal with them.

They will learn to rely on their teammates and trust themselves to get through the obstacles before them.

What’s in it For You?

Let’s not forget the benefits of summer camp for parents. Sending your kids off for the summer means peace of mind and a little peace and quiet.

If you are working during the summer months, you can relax knowing that they are receiving good quality supervised care. After hours, you will have some extra time to enjoy your hobbies, indulge in some spring cleaning, or take an adults-only vacation of your own.

Booking early is the best way to ensure your children get to experience all the advantages of summer camp. Start planning now.

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