What Kids Learn at Summer Camp

Going away to summer camp is a thrilling time in a kid’s life. They’ll learn lessons about independence, build their self-confidence and help foster a sense of community and collaboration at camp. If you’re thinking about sending your child to summer camp, you may want to read on.

Here are some of the valuable lessons and skills your kids could learn at summer camp:

1. Friendship - Summer camp is where friendships are forged and bonds are strengthened. It’s where kids can learn to be comfortable with other people their own age, find new ways to engage each other and discover common interests and bond over them. The friendships fostered at summer camp can last a lifetime, and it’s a great way to bring the shy ones out of their shells.

2. Self-confidence - During camp, they’ll be able to benefit from a variety of confidence building exercises. Whether they’re interested in performing arts, sports, or visual arts, they’ll gain the confidence needed to navigate the world outside of camp, while equipping themselves with the new skills and knowledge.

3. Self-reliance or independence - It’s easy for kids to fall into a routine of dependence, especially when they’ve got you to clean up after them all the time. Summer camp nurtures a spirit of independence by encouraging self-reliance in campers and giving them the confidence to do things on their own. It helps kids gain the maturity needed to work things out on their own and to be conscious of their various responsibilities, like helping out with chores at home, completing their homework on time, and being respectful of their environment.

4. Detachment - If your kids are prone to homesickness, you might think summer camp will be too much for them to handle. But feeling homesick is a natural part of going away to camp, and it’s a problem that resolves itself within a few days, sometimes even hours. While it may be hard for them initially, they’ll eventually learn how to detach themselves from being overly involved or attached to home, and they’ll be free to spread their wings and apply themselves in other activities like sports and arts, in ways they never have before.

5. Spirit of community and collaboration - At summer camp, your kids will learn valuable lessons in collaboration. They’ll be able to build on ideas with fellow campers and foster a spirit of community through collaboration. They’ll be both student and teacher for other kids as they exchange ideas and learn new skills.