Why is Summer Camp Important? How Kids Benefit From Summer Camps
1. Summer Camp Encourages Social Interaction Through Immersion
There’s something called “immersion therapy“, or “immersion learning” where a person is put in the deep end, so to speak, in order to cope with a phobia, learn life lessons, or learn a skill while still in a supportive environment. Summer Camps do the same thing with expsosure to scoial interactions which introduces social skills, self esteem, and new life skills that children may discover. social interaction.
We, humans, are social animals. We must go out into the world knowing how to get along and work with others. Though schools are certainly good for this, kids go home from school after a few hours. They don’t get to at camp. This is different at an overnight summer program. Children learn to socialize on their own away from the home and at an early age.
Those are vital skills to have.
2. Traditional Summer Camps Encourage Connecting With Nature
People have a real problem with not being able to get out into nature these days, which a traditional summer camp experience will help fix. Kids get out into the field, hiking, playing sports, possibly fishing and camping or otherwise enjoying the outdoors beyond the urban setting.
They aren’t making any more land these days. It would be a good thing for people with nature deficit disorder to get out to some that haven’t been developed, organized, sanitized and so on at an early age. Conservation is an American pastime and traditional summer camps are where the seed of conservationism and enthusiasm for outdoor pursuits are planted in our own kids.
3. There Are Summer Camps For Other Interests Too
But who says summer camp benefits are only for the Boy Scouts?
In actual fact, there are summer camps for virtually any interest group. There can be overnight camp for team sports, camps for video game development, technology camps, art camps, science camps, archery camp; almost any hobby or enthusiasm you can name has a summer camp for kids.
In fact, there are close to 15,000 of them across the country.
So, your child has a specialized interest? Send them to a summer camp for it. Many summer camp organizations and summer schools integrate camp shows that provide a unique insight into specific subjects to immerse students in their passion during their camp experience over summer break. It can turn into a defining passion for a lifetime or even a rewarding career.
Camp shows can bring in experts and professionals and can cover everything from music technology, basketball shows, math, reading and more.
4. Camp Usually Means Lots Of Physical Activity
Another benefit of the typical camp is that physical activity is usually a core component. With the problem these days in both US adults and children becoming sedentary and obese at an alarming rate, whatever gets kids active early and often is a good thing. One of those things is camp.
The traditional summer camp involves a lot of being active in the outdoors, running and jumping and hiking and so much more. The more kids learn the benefit of being and staying active, the better.
5. Summer Camp Helps To Develop Independence
The kids being away can be a worry, but it can also provide a break…for them. This helps them develop independence in a safe environment, which is certainly something that we all have to learn eventually, all under the safe protection and guidance from camp counselors. Everyone has to leave the nest at some point. By going to camp, they learn some of that self-confidence.
A child’s mental health is important and confidence is vital to mental health in general. New friends or interactions can boost self confidence and develop social skills.
6. Best Way To Beat Summer Slump Is With Summer Camp
Another benefit of summer camp is that you avoid the typical doldrums that occur during the summer months in everyday life when kids are cooped up for several months and don’t have nearly as much to do as they think. Summer camp life can take a serious bite out of the summer slump, engaging kids and giving them activities.
This way, they have a summer experience that’s second to none, rather than one they hardly remember due to being incalculably bored.
