With summer calendars quickly filling up, it can be hard to try and squeeze in one more thing. But if you can send your kids to summer camp, maybe this year is the year to consider it. There are so many benefits of attending summer camps.
Here are 10 reasons to send your kids to summer camp.
With so many options, it’s easy to find a great fit for your child.
From sports camps and art camps to STEM-based camps and more traditional overnight options, summer camps are designed to serve a variety of ages and interests. The length of camp can range from a few mornings for younger kiddos to weeklong sleep-away camps for older kids. Here are some examples of the different kinds of camps.
Overnight camp
Also known as sleepaway camp, overnight camps typically last around five to seven days. Some camps do offer a shorter version for younger or first-time campers.
Day camp
Campers are dropped off and picked up the same day. Day camp length can vary from just a few hours to a full day of activities.
Specialized camps
These camps focus on one specific subject; art, theater, martial arts, music, soccer, basketball, etc. Your local Park and Recreation Department is a great resource for specialized camps.
Church camps
In addition to offering overnight camps in a more traditional wilderness setting, many churches host a Vacation Bible School on-site that encourages kids to grow in their faith through songs, activities, and story-time.
Educational camps
STEM-based camps allow kids to dig deeper in the areas of science, technology, math, and engineering. These camps are often offered through local schools or school districts.
Sponsored camps
Several youth organizations including Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Camp Fire, 4-H, and the YMCA offer a variety of both overnight and day camps. Contact your local organization for more information.
Camps provide kids with experiences they might not have access to in “everyday” life.
Horseback riding. Paddling a canoe across the lake. Wilderness survival. Conquering a ropes course. Sleeping under the stars. Adventures are endless at camp, and your child will have an opportunity to try something brand new. For the youngest campers, trying a new craft activity or learning a new camp song can be so much fun!
Camps are a safe place to practice social skills.
It might be awkward or uncomfortable for your child during those first few hours of camp when they don’t know a single soul. After all, stepping into a new social environment can be challenging. But the ability to comfortably communicate with new people is a life skill that all kids need. If you send your kids to summer camp it is a great place to practice!
Camps are a great way to meet a new pen pal.
Camps provide kids an opportunity to form friendships with a whole new group of peers they might never have met otherwise. Becoming a pen pal with a new friend from camp can be really fun for kids. It also allows them to practice penmanship and typing and gives them an opportunity to expand their language arts knowledge. One of my pen pals ended up being a bridesmaid in my wedding!
Camps give kids a much-needed technology break.
No matter how old your child is, they could probably benefit from a screen hiatus, especially during the summer months. Spending time outdoors, learning a new skill, having fun, and forming new friendships is good for the body and soul!
Sending kids to camp is beneficial for you, too.
Driving away from your child(ren) on the first day might be a little gut-wrenching. But entrusting your kids to someone else for a while can be truly beneficial. Maybe it will free up time for some overdue self-care, or give you and your partner time to reconnect. Maybe it will provide an opportunity to hit the reset button with your tween or teen. After all, absence makes the heart grow fonder! Parenting is tough work, so don’t feel guilty if you enjoy this time to yourself. Chances are, your kids are having a blast without you!
Your child’s experience as a camper could help land a summer job in the future.
Camps are staffed by amazing counselors who provide kids with all kinds of good, clean fun. Most of these counselors were campers once, too. Now they get to help a new set of youngsters make unforgettable summer memories, all while sharpening their own teamwork and leadership skills. Your child might have that same opportunity one day. What great way to spend a summer!
Camps allow kids to experience spiritual and personal growth.
If a camp is affiliated with a church or other religious organization, there will certainly be a spiritual component encouraging kids to grow in their faith. But camps that are secular in nature provide many growth opportunities for campers as well. Many kids come away from camp with improved leadership and teamwork skills, and being able to thrive in a new environment away from their parents fosters independence and builds confidence.
Having your child attend camp can be good for their sibling(s).
With busy schedules, it can be challenging for parents to spend individual quality time with each of their children. Having one or more kids away at camp allows parents to give more individual attention to the kiddos who are still at home. For larger families, this also allows the siblings who aren’t at camp to spend more one-on-one time with each other, which can help strengthen their sibling bond.
Camp is just plain fun.
So many adults have fond memories from their days spent at camp, and kids who have been to camp often say it’s a favorite part of their summer. Odds are, your kids are going to love it! And for that reason alone, it’s worth sending them to camp.
With a little research, you can find the perfect camp for your kiddo(s)!