Our summer vacation has officially started and to be honest I’m ready for the kids to go back to school. Don’t tell them I said that! There’s the unlikely possibility that they’ll find out since they NEVER read the blog. While I love summer, and you may have read why I think summer is better than winter, I would prefer if the kids can get out and spend some time outdoors and get to experience things that I won’t be able to teach them. That’s where summer camp comes in. Summer camp can be super fun for many kids, but parents are often questioning what is the purpose behind spending the money and planning the event of sending their kids off to summer camp. Sure, there is the fun factor that parents are usually aware of, but what kids learn while having fun at camp goes beyond what most parents think about. Today we are going to share a few reasons why kids should go to summer camp.
Increased Self-Esteem – when kids attend a camp during the summer season they don’t have their parents right there to help them approach new people and new experiences. Kids have to learn to put themselves out there without the guidance or support of their parents. This helps kids feel good about themselves as they work to strengthen their interaction skills.
Nature Education – many kids are not aware of what is out there in nature, they spend most of their time on electronics or just in their local neighborhood which doesn’t always bring them in tune with true nature. Kids who attend summer camp experience nature in a whole new light and in turn learn more about the benefits of nature when they are at camp.
Develop Leadership Skills – kids will learn to develop great leadership skills at summer camp as they are put in charge of directing projects and their peers along the way at camp. In combination with leadership skills, kids learn to overcome peer pressure in their everyday lives as they were able to overcome those insecurities while attending summer camp and gaining an increase self-confidence level.
Trying New Things – no matter how involved of parent one is, the truth is, no one set of parents can introduce their kids to every opportunity and experience there is in the world, sending your kids off to summer camp allows them to be introduced to, and try new things that otherwise wouldn’t be offered to them in your local area. This breeds a group of well-rounded, open minded kids who will go on to enjoy life a bit more than your average kid.
Makes Wonderful Memories – how many of you attended summer camp yourself and still have those memories of camping, swimming and learning all of those new skills the camp brought into your life? Sending your kids to summer camp allows them to have wonderful memories to think back upon as they age and grow into adults. Most kids have some positive memories from summer camp and are able to come home to share those memories in a positive way.
Life is all about engaging in new experiences and working to gain self-confidence as you thrive to be your own individual person. Sending your kids to summer camp opens the door for new opportunities and everlasting friendships, combined with a new ability to lead and educate others about their newly learned skills, while being at camp.
Let’s discuss: Have you ever attended a summer camp, what your experience like?