Is summer camp a good idea for your child? How much of a challenge will it be for your child to relax and will they be able to enjoy the experience? What are the chances that they might feel homesick? There are just a few of the questions you may have if you have never sent one of your children to summer camp.
For most kids, summer camp is a thoroughly enjoyable experience. They will have fun once they get to camp, even if they are somewhat apprehensive prior to attending the camp. They will get to explore and experiment in the company of other friend and counselors. Even though they will be out of the view of their parents’ watchful eyes, they will have appropriate supervision with the camp counselors.
If your child has special needs, either physically, emotionally or behaviorally, summer camp is ideal for them. In a safe relaxed atmosphere, they will learn to socialize and get along with their peers. Students who struggle with the academic subjects in school may find that they will excel in camp activities. They will practice many skills that don’t have a “right” or “wrong” solution, and will grow in the process. One skill they will learn at summer camp is how to work well in a team environment.
For some kids, summer camp is an opportunity to take a break from the stress that is caused by family problems at home. They will gain perspective and have the chance to forget about their trouble for a week or two during the camp session. There are even camps that specialize in children who are experiencing grief or other emotional difficulties in their lives. You will want to find out about the training and qualifications of camp personnel to determine if they are adequate to meet your child’s needs. Just like regular summer camps, you’ll find that these special needs camps offer the same fun, structured environment and activities for kids as other camps.
But what are the benefits of sending kids to summer camp? According to the American Camping Association, camp provides children with opportunities to develop authentic relationships and life-skills such as leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. In addition, according to the National Summer Learning Association (NSLA) and research conducted by Johns Hopkins sociology professor Karl Alexander, intentional summer camp programs, help stem summer learning loss – providing experiences that challenge children, develop talents, keep them engaged, and expand horizons.
If your child wants the opportunity to spend concentrated mounts of time building skills and abilities in one particular activity, check out sports specific and activity specific camps. Does your child have a special activity they’d like to explore? Do they have a sport that they’d like to improve? You can look for a camp that specializes in this activity. Is your child wanting to try their hand at gymnastics, volley ball, tennis or golf? There are camps that specialize in these activities! But no matter what type of camp you select, the bottom line is that your child is bound to reap the benefits of the camp experience.
The best time to check out the available camps in your area is in early spring. There are lots of Summer Camps in Los Angeles and Summer Camps in the Inland Empire to see what’s available in your area. You’ll want time to check out all the available camps in your area and make your reservation while the best camps are sold out.
