Unplugging Kids from Technology at Summer Camp

One of the many benefits of summer camp is allowing your child to be in a nature-rich environment, free from their digital reliance. While some campers may feel oppressed by not having their device on them for the first few days, the new activities they engage in and new friends they meet will have them feeling different about this sooner rather than later.

Unplugging Kids from Technology at Summer Camp

As a parent you want your child to explore his or her surroundings, have fun with all sorts of activities and make new friends while at summer camp. Your child will be unable to enjoy these things if they are constantly glued to their smartphone.

Here are things that can help your child unplug from technology before they go to camp:

1. Before summer camp starts, slowly separate your child from the device that he or she uses often. This gives your child time to adjust to a few days or weeks without using his or her device. Suddenly separating your child from his or her device will make it harder for them to deal with it while at camp and can ruin their summer. Start with simple ground rules at home, such as no devices at the dinner table.

2. Show them the fun activities they might miss out on when they are constantly on their devices. Take them to the camp to see the activities they will do. Let them try some of the camp activities to get a taste of what they may miss when they use their gadgets all the time.

3. Limit their smartphone and gadget use to emergency situations and important calls or messages. Limiting their use while at camp helps your child fully engage in the camp’s activities.

4. Some young kids are constantly on their gadget or smartphone because they are homesick and want to constantly talk with their parents. You can limit the homesickness of your child by giving them an item that reminds them of home. Give them handwritten letters to know that they will be missed while they are away or let them take the blanket they always use at home.

5. Expose your child to fun things he or she can do outdoors. Join them when they go biking, trekking, or even just for a morning jog. Exposure to physical activities will help them adjust to life without gadgets at summer camp.

6. Set a good example. If you want your child to limit their reliance on technology, you need to be mindful of your own usage. If you are on your phone more than they are, they won’t really be so open to unplugging from technology.

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Developing Academic Skills at Summer Camp

Summer camp provides participants with all sorts of benefits, one of which is developing academic skills. While they may not exactly be focused on studying math and science during their time at camp, children learn valuable skills that can help them cope with the school work at the end of the summer session.

The rules set in summer camp teach your child discipline, a vital skill to survive the classroom setting. Children who learn this from camp are more focused when they study and are not easily distracted when they have an important academic requirement to submit. The discipline they learn at summer camp also keeps them away from trouble while in school.

The socializing involved at summer camp helps your child develop communication skills that they need when they make presentations. Strong communication skills help your child when they have to go on college admission interviews or apply for a job in the future.

The competitive atmosphere in some of the activities done in summer camp helps your child persevere and develop goals in whatever he or she undertakes. Sports are a good way to develop a sense of achievement in your child. The training sports provides instills discipline and importance of hard work into your child.

Summer camp is also a place where children learn to believe in their own abilities. Whether it’s learning a new sport or improving what they already know, camp provides them with an empowering atmosphere that helps them be more driven. In school, this can be easily applied when they are going through new lessons or unfamiliar subjects. Knowing that they have the ability to learn and succeed at new things can help them be better academic achievers.

On the other end of the spectrum, they also develop resilience in the face of failure. There won’t always be a parent around to cheer them on when they things don’t turn out as expected in camp. Children will learn that they will not always win games or be the best in a particular sport – and it is okay. They will learn what it’s like to be defeated by a stronger player and to rise above that feeling. In the academic set up, they can apply this resilience when they get their first failing grade or the teacher is not as happy with their academic work as they had hoped.

The skills learned at summer camp stretch beyond the classroom. The skills they learn are useful in their daily lives and in whatever they do.

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Summer Camps Shape Character

If your kids have been looking for a way to spend their summer this year, something that doesn’t involve camping out in front of the television, playing video games, or watching brainless reality shows, then summer camp is just the thing for them. Summer camp isn’t just a rite of passage; it helps kids build their confidence, creates lasting friendships, and helps shape their character - something they’ll carry with them as they grow into emotionally healthy and fulfilled adults.

At camp, there is no shortage of fun activities that will both test and build important skills and values that will be essential in your child’s mental and emotional growth.

Here are a few more ways summer camps help shape character:

1. Gain self-confidence - At summer camp kids are encouraged to become more self-reliant. Mom and Dad won’t be there to nag them to brush their teeth, make their bed, or finish their chores - they’ll be expected to do all of that themselves. In turn, their self-esteem and confidence grows with each task they complete by themselves.

Through a series of games and confidence-building activities, kids will learn to trust themselves and to not rely too much on others, especially when they have all the tools to achieve so much on their own.

2. Build leadership skills - Kids get some of their first taste of leadership at summer camp. Whether it’s guiding a group through a particularly thick patch of forest, or leading their team to victory in a game of dodgeball; it’s through these simple tasks and activities that the foundation for leadership is cultivated and honed.

3. Become more adventurous - It’s no secret that, these days, because of modern conveniences, parents go out of their way to keep their children away from any kind of danger; whether it’s by sterilizing their environment of germs or by safe-guarding every nook and cranny of their home so that it’s one hundred percent kid-proof.

At summer camp, kids are encouraged to step out of their comfort zones and to take calculated and adult-supervised risks, even if it’s just by hiking a mountain trail, swimming in a lake, or participating in a sport they’ve never tried.

4. Increases social skills - Perhaps the reason summer camp is most memorable is because of the friendships forged during the camp’s duration. At summer camp, kids can be themselves with other like-minded kids, and the friendships that come out of nights sitting in front of a campfire are ones that can last a lifetime.

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Budgeting For Your Kids’ Summer Camp

Summer camp is a great experience for kids - one that offers many benefits that will last them through to adulthood. The investment you are making in your child’s development is important but it can take a bite of your household budget. But don’t worry. Luckily, there are ways you can fit it in without doing too much damage to your bank account.

Here are some tips on how you can budget for your kids’ summer camp experience:

1. Let your kids chip in - If your child has been bugging you about letting them to go away to camp, let them help out with the expenses. Whether it’s by having them donate a portion of their allowance to a ‘summer camp fund’ or by babysitting for neighbors, not only will it help you out financially, but it will teach them the value of money and hard-work.

2. Cut out other luxury expenses - If your family goes to the movies or eats out regularly, refrain from doing these activities for a couple of months until you’ve saved enough to afford summer camp. Switch to home movie night by renting videos or by cooking a big family meal with all members chipping in. Not only will you be able to save but you’ll bring the family closer together as well.

3. Focus on the goal – As summer camp may not fall under the “necessities” category of your household budget, it would be best to set-up a separate account for it. Most summer camps release their schedules and rates several seasons ahead, so you can better prepare for it by setting the target financial goal and the timeline for reaching it.

4. Be early - A great incentive for doing your research well before summer camp season starts is that most camps offer a 5 to 10 percent discount for early registration. This could mean potentially hundreds of dollars in savings. Take note that early registration means signing up early, but not necessarily paying for it yet.

5. Find out about discounts – Some summer camps like Camp Tamarack appreciate camper loyalty. Some discounts may apply to your child if he has been a camper in the past. This is also true for families that have more than one child enrolled in camp. Check out sibling discounts or alumni discounts (for parents who also joined the camp in their younger years).

6. Refer other campers – If you already know that you are enrolling your child in a good summer camp, it literally pays to spread the word. Some camps have referral programs that can take off a few hundred off your rate.

7. Pay by cheque or cash instead of credit card – Check out if your chosen camp offers discounts if you pay by cash instead of swiping the cost on your card. Most merchants who use credit card facilities are charged by the card company between 2% to 3.5% in transaction costs. As such, some of them prefer cash or cheque payments and pass the savings on to their customers.

8. Understand the cost of camp extensions and enrollment in specialized programs – If your chosen summer camp allows extension of stay or offers a specialized program, find out if there is an additional cost for it before signing up your kid for such activities.

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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.

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Packing Toiletries for Summer Camp

If you’re packing clothes, toiletries and medical supplies for your child who’s going to summer camp, always remember the essentials. If this is the first time your child is going away, talk to the camp coordinator about what kinds of activities they’ll be participating in. This will give you a better understanding of what kinds of clothes and toiletries your child will need.

It’s important to bring the right toiletries to camp, especially when they’ve got full days of fun and games ahead of them. Camp activities range from hiking and swimming to competitive sports and group games playing. Chances are, they’ll be out all day, under the sun, sweating and getting dirty, which is why having the right toiletries are essential for campers.

Here’s a run-down of essential toiletries your child will need at camp:

1. Toothbrush and toothbrush holder
2. Toothpaste - A fresh tube, enough for twice a day brushing for the duration of their stay.
3. Facial wash/scrub
4. Soap bars or liquid soap for showers
5. Bath scrub - To rub off the grime and dirt from playing all day.
6. Shampoo
7. Conditioner
8. Sunblock - Having sunblock with the right SPF is essential for kids at camp, especially since they’ll be exposed to large amounts of sun and UV rays.
9. After-sun spray or aloe vera - Sometimes, the occasional sunburn can happen. Your child can sooth their skin with some aloe vera or after-sun play.
10. For girls: sanitary napkins or tampons - Even if she still hasn’t gotten her period, there may be a chance she gets it at camp. She needs to be ready.
11. Bath towel - Bath towel should be different from her beach/swimming towel.
12. Insect repellant
13. Deodorant
14. Tissue
15. Wet wipes
16. Nail clippers
17. Shaving gear, if needed
18. Lip balm - To protect from wind and UV rays.

Remember, you won’t be there to remind them to take a bath or brush their teeth, so before your child goes to camp, it’s crucial that you impress on them the importance of regular hygiene care.

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Packing Clothes for Summer Camp

When going away to summer camp, your kids won’t have the luxury of having heaps of clothing at their disposal, which is why it’s important to pack smart. Coordinate with the staff of the summer camp your child is attending before they go. Ask for a checklist of clothes, toiletries, and medical supplies your child might need.

You should also inquire about laundry services or if they have any at all. If they don’t, a good rule of thumb for packing clothes would be to multiply the number of days, and add a little bit more. Remember, it’s probably better to over-pack than to be left without the essentials.

For a better grasp on what kind of clothes and how much your child will need, ask the camp coordinators for a rundown of activities planned for their stay. That way, you child will be prepared for whatever comes their way - from lake swimming to mountain climbing.

Here’s a handy checklist for packing clothes for summer camp:

1. Underwear - A pair for every day your child is away and additional pairs to take into consideration how active he/she will be. For boys: briefs, boxer shorts, jock-straps; for girls: bras, panties, sports bra.
2. Tank tops
3. T-shirts - Both long and short-sleeved.
4. Pants - Sweatpants, jeans, and pants for lounging.
5. Shorts - Bicycle shorts, denim shorts, hiking shorts.
6. Pajamas - Nightgowns or pajamas.
7. Bathrobe - They’ll need a bathrobe to move from the showers to their bunks if they’re
not located in the same place.
8. Raincoat, light jacket, hoodie - To keep warm and in case of rain.
9. Swim shirt with UV protection - For swimming days when they’ll be out in the sun all day.
10. Swim suit and swim cap
11. Shoes - For rain and hiking, boots, and flip-flops.
12. Socks - For everyday use.
13. Dress clothes and shoes - In case they have a formal event at the end of camp.
14. Towels - Both for bathing and swimming.
15. Laundry bag - To keep all their used clothes in.

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