Summer is almost here and for parents this creates many questions as to how to manage. How will we arrange for childcare while working? How can we avoid the “I’m bored!” comments? Are there any educational summer activities we can get them involved in?
One of the best answers to these questions and more can be summed up in two words: SUMMER CAMP! Not only is summer camp fun, but did you know that there are a wide range of benefits of going to summer camp for children? Here are just a few advantages of summer camp.
Advantages of Summer Camp
Socializing and Friendship Building
As any parent knows, kids who attend summer camp forge strong friendships with each other. This is especially true if summer camps are an annual tradition. Not only do campers develop lasting memories, they also bond over shared experiences. This improves communication and other social skills through games, sports and projects.
Encourages Teamwork
At summer camps, kids work together on projects or shared goals. No matter what your child’s interests are, whether it be sports or arts and crafts, a summer camp program will engage them in activities that require teamwork. Knowing how to work in a team is a useful skill for life.
Teamwork matters because it helps develop communication skills, emotional intelligence and leadership skills.
An understanding of teamwork helps a child realize working with others is sometimes the most efficient way to get things done. They will value teamwork as a solution, rather than think they need to handle tasks on their own. As a result, children will grow up with an eagerness to be active members of their community.
Personal Growth and Exploration
Summer camps provide kids with the time and space to explore interests outside school. Most summer camps focus on a theme, or incorporate aspects of learning, exploring, character building, and personal growth. You can be certain that your child will not only be entertained, but also educated and challenged. While they are having fun and exploring their own interests, they are also increasing their own capacities for learning, teamwork, problem solving, knowledge, and self-awareness. In fact, studies have shown that, of families who send their kids to summer camp, 70 percent of parents report that their child gained self-confidence while at camp.
Break From Technology
Kids and adults are spending too much time in front of a screen. In total, children spend more than 7 hours a day in front of a screen, whether that be on a mobile device, in front of a TV or at a computer playing a video game. Too much media time reduces time spent sleeping and reading, and may have a negative impact on performance in school.
Camp helps children connect to the joy of life beyond the screen. In all our camp programs, children will have endless opportunities to engage their minds in ways they’ll enjoy.
Regardless of what your child’s interests are, they will learn and socially interact in a healthy real-world setting at summer camp. Time away from the screen is vital to a child’s brain, body, spirit and future, and could benefit us all.
Encourages a Connection With Nature
Nature stimulates all the senses. When a child is outdoors, they get to see, touch, hear, smell and sometimes even taste nature. Sensory development makes life richer, fuller and all-around more pleasurable. On the contrary, too much time indoors can dull the senses and deprive children of the simple pleasures in life.
Most importantly, outdoor time encourages movement, which is vital for physical, mental and emotional health. Outside, children are free to run, skip, jump, climb, laugh and breathe the fresh air. Plus, they get a healthy dose of Vitamin D from the sun.
Lastly, nature helps children experience the magic and wonder of childhood, and it gets them thinking about life’s greatest mysteries.
Improved Self-Esteem
Social and team-building skills lead directly to higher self-esteem. As kids get older, new experiences help them learn to take healthy risks and believe in themselves. Summer camps provide an excellent opportunity for kids to gain the confidence they need to tackle school and beyond. They learn to be more assertive and better able to handle conflict in a positive way.
Positive Role Models
Another benefit of summer camp is that it provides your child with the opportunity to interact with positive adult role models. Typically, camp counselors are younger adults who are choosing to volunteer or working part-time over their own summer break from college.
The formation of these role model relationships can help kids to develop the confidence, self-esteem, and skills they need to be successful in school and in life. Overall, the more healthy, positive adult relationships that a child or youth has in their life, the more likely they are to thrive in all areas, long after summer camp has ended.
Just Plain Fun
Many adults would say that some of their fondest memories were those sunny, summer camp experiences as they were growing up. Aside from gaining decision-making skills, leadership skills, and social skills at a summer program, one of the biggest advantages of summer camp is that it is just plain fun!
A summer camp full of exploring, interacting with their peers, engaging in a variety of activities, and having new adventures, children are sure to leave summer camp with stories, photographs, friendships, life lessons, and memories that will last a lifetime.
As the first Reggio Emilia, International Baccalaureate Italian Immersion school in the world, La Scuola International School is pleased to offer Summer Camps that provide a joyful experience for children in Preschool and Rising Kindergarten through Grade 5.
At La Scuola, we are excited to be hosting our students this summer with some wonderful activities and programs. No matter what your child’s interests are, whether it is cooking or arts and crafts, La Scuola Summer Camp will engage them in activities that foster teamwork, collaboration, exploration and fun!
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