Kids gain independence as they make decisions and meet new friends outside of the comforts of home.
Summer
camp offers all kinds of fun and character-building experiences for kids of any
age.
Whether you're looking for a few hours of entertainment
or weeks of intentional skill-building for your child, you can find it at camp.
Age 0-5
Day camps offer
the perfect opportunity for young kids to experience time away from Mom and
explore new activities. Camp for preschool children focuses on free play,
sharing with others, group games, (inside and outside) and simple arts and
crafts. If you're sending your child to camp for the first time, make sure the
schedule matches her personality and routine to prevent a stressful experience.
Does there need to be naptime? Should your child be potty trained to attend?
Would your child adjust more easily by starting with a half-day camp instead of
full day? Are there appropriate breaks for snacks and changes in activity?
It's important
to find out what the counselor to camper ratio is for children this age. You
want to ensure your child will be adequately cared for with a friendly,
well-staffed team. You also want to determine if the counselors are trained to
help with issues common to preschoolers including separation anxiety, potty
training, and temper tantrums.
Looking for a great camp in your area? Check out our camp guide - complete with reviews from parents like you!
The best place
to find camps for young children is through day cares, churches, nursery
schools, and local elementary schools. Specialty camps also abound through
gymnastic centers, music schools, and sporting centers. Consider your child's
interests and find a camp that fits to give your preschool child a chance to
make new friends and explore new experiences.
Age 6-11
Elementary-age
children thrive at camp, whether it's day camp or stay-away camp. It's the
perfect solution to sibling squabbles and long summer days. But it pays to do
your research and find the right fit for your child.
Camps for this
age range from sports camps to music camps to academic camps to church camps.
Don't let the variety intimidate you as you research; start with the interests
of your child and ask friends and neighbors to give opinions on camps their
kids have attended.
At this age, our
kids have had the most fun at away camps that gave them the opportunity to try
activities not available at home such as zip lining, archery, rock wall
climbing, in addition to swimming, arts and crafts, and campfire sing-alongs
with friends. Kids gain independence as they make decisions and meet new
friends outside of the comforts of home. They gain self-confidence in trying
new activities. And they learn to appreciate the beauty of nature as they unplug
from technology. Although they may experience periods of homesickness, they
learn to forge through their feelings with caring camp counselors and new
friends.
Specialty camps
close to home also help kids explore new hobbies or create opportunities for
parents and kids to enjoy camp together. A mother-daughter sewing camp or
father-son golfing camp allows great bonding time while developing a skill
enjoyed by both.
If your child
has never experienced camp, start with a day camp or send a friend along for an
away camp. It's important that their first camp experience be a good one. If
you find it wasn't a perfect fit, try a different one next year. But don't give
up on the beauty and benefits of camp for elementary-age children.
Age 12-15
Tweens and teens
have better focus than younger children and benefit from camps that more
closely match their interests and personalities. Sports and music camps are
great for this age and help kids advance athletic skills and enhance musical
talent. Academic camps offer youth advanced-learning opportunities in subjects
they might want to explore for long-term focus. And church camps offer
character-building and self-awareness experiences not learned in school.
Camps provide a
safe place for teens and tweens to hang out while parents work during summer
break. Not yet able to drive or find a summer job, kids this age too often
allow technology to rule or walk into unsupervised trouble unless parents
intentionally seek out creative options.
Junior high and
high schools provide information for local camps worth investigating as the
school year draws to a close. It's also easy to scour the internet for camps
that match your child's interests. Some camps provide certification such as
lifeguard training or first aid certification that can enable your youth to
successfully find a job upon completion.
Encourage your
youth to research camps with you to find one that fits.
When kids attend
camp, they develop resilience and flexibility that benefits them later in life.
An article by Steve Baskin in Psychology Today, entitled “Creating Advantage in College,” parallels the experiences of summer camp and the adjustment of
college. He cites that kids work through similar adjustments at camp and
college such as, "Being away from home and your traditional support system
(family, friends, familiar places), and dealing with large amounts of
uncertainty (what will classes require, how will I fit in socially, can I deal
with this new roommate).” Baskin proposes that kids who find success working
through these challenges at camp adjust easier when presented with the transition
to college.
Summer camp
offers unique experiences and character-building opportunities for every child.
Whether your child is 2 or 15, camp is the perfect place to find adventure and
make lifelong memories in the process. Don't delay — find a camp your child
will enjoy today!
Gayla Grace, freelance writer and mom to
five, has sent her kids to camp every summer.