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The kids are talking excitedly about school ending in a few weeks. But
you know that a few weeks into the summer holidays, you’re going to
hear various strains of “Mom, I’m bored.” Your kids will be grumbling
that it’s too hot. They’ll be loafing around, stagnating in front of
the computer or television. Of course, for Mom and Dad, life goes on as
usual- few parents are lucky enough to get two or more months off to
laze around every summer. You may not have the amount of time you’d
like to engage the kids or guide them to interesting activities. And
maybe you’ve got some money put aside this year but not enough for the
whole family to go on vacation.
So take a vacation yourself- get rid of the kids! Peace and quiet for a
few days and some alone time for Mom and Dad is one very big bonus of
sending the kids off to camp. But the trip will benefit your children
tremendously in so many ways.
What are some of those benefits? To name a very few: broadening of
horizons, gaining confidence, positive risk taking, having fun, facing
fears of being away from family, meeting new friends, developing
self-reliance and life skills, relating to new adults and teachers,
learning new skills, feeling the joy of contributing to a new
community, teamwork, adventure, new experiences, and trying new
activities.
“Camp provides children with a community of caring adults, who nurture
experiential education that results in self-respect and appreciation
for human value. All of the outcomes - self-identity, self-worth,
self-esteem, leadership, and self-respect - build personal
competencies. These personal competencies are reflected in …
compassion, contribution, commitment, and character,” according to the
American Camp Association.
“For years, campers' parents have reported that when their children
return home from camp they are more caring, understand the importance
of giving, are more equipped to stand up for what they know is right
and are willing to be more responsible.” The association lists
leadership, communication, participation, resourcefulness, citizenship,
and responsibility among the character traits that are gained or
developed through the camp experience.
Former camp counselor and camp director Silvana Clark writes about kids
forming new relationships in “Five Reasons Your Kids Should Go to
Camp.” “It's all too easy for your son and daughter to think the entire
world is like their core group of friends and teachers. Camp brings
your child in contact with kids from different schools, communities,
and cultures.”
Dr. Stephen Fine, director at the equestrian Hollows Camp, told TV
Ontario about the fitness benefits. "When you go to camp, children are
going to get fit… During the school year, children sit at their desks,
watch television, and ride in cars. There’s no opportunity to walk
around naturally. At camp, the very act of constantly being in natural
movement makes you fit on a day-to-day basis routinely. On top of that
you’re going to be swimming, climbing or playing sports." He mentioned
that facing homesickness and gaining independence are also key
benefits. "Summer camp is an opportunity for kids to learn they can
exist outside the home without their parents taking care of every need
all the time. It gives them an opportunity to do kids' stuff."
In Curious Parents, Andrew Yankowitz, Director of Tall Pines Day
Camp, reported that 74 percent of kid campers did something they were
previously afraid to do at camp; that 93 percent of kids said camp
helped them get to know someone different from themselves; and that 92
percent of kids said the people at camp helped them feel good about
themselves.
Michelle Brownrigg, chief executive officer of Active Healthy Kids
Canada, told Hailey Eisen at www.camp.ca that camps are a great chance
to explore the world unplugged. "Research shows that kids self-report
spending five to six hours per weekday and eight hours per weekend day
in front of a screen of some sort… It is important to teach kids that
they can trade some of that screen time for other activities that are
equally enjoyable, be it physical exercise or reading.”
If you’re worried that you won’t be able to find a camp your child
would be interested in, don’t. There are camps for hockey,
cheerleading, paintball, martial arts, weight loss, golf, sailing,
Bible, violin, guitar, dance, drama, fine art, creative writing,
horseback riding, wilderness, swimming, Native, kids with cancer,
underprivileged children, fishing, language immersion, English as a
Second Language, computer, game programming, leadership, canoeing,
comic arts, film and cinema, zoo, modeling, archeology, science, kids
with ADHD, kids with special needs, soccer….to name a few.
Clearly, a summer camp experience can help inspire, teach, and
encourage your child in so many ways. On top of the gained confidence,
faced fears, and new skills, it will also be a once in a lifetime
adventure.
Camp Resources
These two portals should get you started. Several thousand more options
will open up from either of them.
Camp Nation
Find excellent advice here on finding a summer camp among thousands of
options. Extensive listings and links to various Canadian camps of
every kind, whether sports, education or wilderness. Easy to research
specific kinds of camps from violin to soccer. Dozens of articles
ranging in theme from “Faith Based Camps” to “Finding a Summer Camp to
match your child's personality and interests” to ideas for fundraising
for camp.
www.camps.ca
Special Needs Camps
A
detailed listing of many camps that focus on services for kids with
special needs.
“Special needs camps in Canada offer a range of services that meet the
needs of children with specific physical, emotional, behavioral or
medical challenges. Some camps focus on children with cancer or other
medical conditions; others have programs for children with autism or
attention deficit disorder. Whatever their mandate, and whether the
camp provides shadows or support staff or requires parents to send
someone familiar and experienced in working with their child, these
camps have staff trained to cope with children with special needs, as
well as challenge and offer them a rewarding time at camp. The medical
staff and facilities at these camps are adapted to meet the needs of
the children they serve.”
http://www.ourkids.net/special-needs-camps.php |
