By: Isa Hershoff-Looper As both a child and adolescent therapist and mother of two, I have come to deeply appreciate the value of a good summer camp for children of all ages. For both my own children and those of my clients, I have seen the growth and increased happiness that camp provides. With dedicated and well-trained staff and counselors on hand, camp experience includes quite a variety of fun and challenging activities. But here is a list of the TOP TEN things your children can discover from attending a full-day, outdoor recreational camp.
1. Conflict is Productive
Whether it is figuring out how to row a boat with their camp mates, or deciding on a name or theme song for their group, children learn creative problem solving skills.In a supportive learning environment they lean respect for different styles of learning and playing from both peers and counselors.
2. Games Aren’t Just Kid’s Stuff!
A good camp helps children to master their negotiating skills around camp activities and group decisions. Campers hone their creative skills while perform in skits, singing songs and making a wide range of enjoyable arts and crafts.
3. Failure Is Part of Success
Campers learn how to take intentional and safe risks. Plotting a good hiking route or managing behavior on the fishing dock, they learn skills that will be transferred to day-to-day activities at school and in the community.
4. Life Without Constant Technology
Today, children are very technologically savvy. But they can often lose rich opportunities for human connection and fun. At camp, children interact directly with peers and trusted adults. Play, hands on games, and a variety of activities engage many parts of their minds and hearts. They can always twitter about it later when they get home!
5. A Self-Growth Environment
Children at camp experience a sense of increased freedom and empowerment as they play outdoors, manage new tasks, engage with different children, sing group songs, make up skits and so on. They enjoy those fun-filled activities without realizing the valuable lessons they are learning!
6. Winning Without Competing
You don’t have to be good at everything—but you’re probably good at something. At camp children discover new activities that they didn’t know they enjoyed or for which they had a natural talent. They earn to do things for their own sake. Enjoyment and camaraderie become more important than either “being the best” or worrying about losing. Through team work and the safety of mutual support, children increase their confidence in new areas and open their eyes to new activities.
7. Appreciating Others
Camp provides a larger world view for children as they interact with peers from different environments and backgrounds. Through sharing of experiences and knowledge, they learn to appreciate both their own and others’ unique cultural backgrounds..
8.The Future is Theirs
Children learn a sense of ownership of their actions and direction, as they make choices about activities and see their skills increase. Counselors support children in their choices and collaborate with them which allows for children’s increased sense of hope and better planning skills.
9. They Actually Do Fit In
A good summer camp gives children a sense of belonging. And they learn to build a community that is inclusive and supportive.
Kids at camp feel a strong connection with their peers and learn healthy relationship skills.
10. The Outdoors Has It All!
Being in a natural setting with hiking, fishing, and horseback riding supports children’s physical and emotional development.
Fresh air, sunshine and laughter are what summer is all about for kids.
When you send your children to camp, you will be able to watch them flourish in ways you could never have imagined. And they will grow in ways that give them that extra “something” for a successful and happy future.
Isa Hershoff-Looper is a Marriage & Family Therapist , MS , MFT. She has been working in the psychotherapy industry for 16 years and has been a Roughing It Camp mom for 5 summers. See her site and other blogs she has written and learn more about Isa here.
