According to Psychology Today, “summer camps are places where children get the experiences they need to bolster their range of coping strategies. There are the simple challenges of learning how to build a fire, going on a hike, or conquering a high ropes course. There are the much more complex challenges of getting along with a new group of peers, learning how to ask for help from others, or taking manageable amount of risks without a parent following after you.”
To prepare for the Psychology Today article, the writer spoke to 300 camp directors, asking how the summer camp experience helps kids to become more resilient to stress. And, the conclusion is that the best ones offer opportunities for “manageable amounts of risk and responsibility.”
The worst? Well, they “pander to children as if they are entitled little creatures whose parents are paying big sums of money.” These camps treat children like customers, with the best having counselors and caregivers who help them to grow. The main point to glean from this is that the summer camp experience can be extremely beneficial, but it’s crucial to choose the right one.
Now, here’s more about the psychological benefits of summer camp, with MedicalNews.com sharing multiple ways in which camp helps kids to develop a sense of resilience as they tackle new challenges. Unlike in school, they have the chance to try new things and learn from them without time pressure in a safe environment. Whether they succeed in their quests and/or learn from them, they build life skills.
This boosts their self-esteem in a healthy way, fueling them with self-confidence. They accomplish tasks without the help of parental supervision, from hygiene to nutrition to sleep, making their own decisions and caring for their own personal space.
Plus, they develop social skills in a small community setting in a way that also fosters respect for other people. Children are encouraged by camp counselors to develop new friendships, both one-on-one and in group settings. They learn to divide up responsibilities, including in their own cabins. They will also learn to develop relationships with adults and grow in a space where they belong – and can feel as though they belong.
PsychCentral.com offers up more benefits of summer camp, including how it allows for and rewards less common styles of learning, whether through sight, sound or use of body. “These are the kids who love to get messy, who prefer the language of movement and art to the language of words, kids who need to ‘take the time it takes’ to do something rather than fit the activity into someone else’s schedule. Camp makes room for their nonlinear approach to learning and life.”
Quality Summer Camp at Horizon Education Center
The theme of this year’s camp? Game Shows! And, we’re going to pack more fun, adventure and learning into this summer than most kids experience in a lifetime.
Your child will benefit from weekly field trips to exciting places, along with cool clubs (gardening, cheer, football and more), Red Cross swimming instruction, a summer reading program and family events – plus plenty of hands-on science, math, art and much more! You can find more information about our summer camp program here, including locations and camp calendars.
