When you send your child to summer camp, you have a few expectations. You expect that they will be safe, they will be entertained, they will have fun. You expect that they will consume epic amounts of s’mores, sing “Kumbaya” and make lanyards for the whole family. You probably expect them to make friends. Good friends. Lifelong friends. But your presumptions may not extend far beyond that. Camp, you likely think, is about fun and friendships. However, research has shown that camp is more than just archery and crafts. It’s a unique experience that challenges kids to grow, learn and nurture some critical qualities and characteristics. Emphatically, camp helps kids become better adults.
Here are 4 surprising benefits of summer camp:
1. They Experience Summer Learning Gain
For some kids, summer can mean a loss in language skills, reading ability and math proficiency. However, research has shown that the experiential learning incurred at summer camp combats the loss of literacy.
At the Y, we like to think of summer camp as an outdoor learning laboratory. There, kids get a different kind of education. They learn about nature and the environment through hands on experiences. They learn hard skills and soft skills. They visit museums, zoos and aquariums. They read, paint and create. They nurture problem solving and social skills. All of this helps them to retain information and ability that is gained during the school year and provides them with additional competencies that will last them a lifetime.
2. They Grow Through Interaction
One cabin. Twelve campers. Two counselors. The living situation at residential camp may come as a shock to campers (let’s be honest, it’d be shocking for most adults). It’s the kind of experience that makes kids open their eyes, minds and hearts to others. They learn authenticity, collaboration, respect and responsibility while connecting with other campers and counselors.
As an example, at the YMCA Camp Santa Maria, cabins of teenage girls often decide as a group to forgo make-up during their time at camp. Together, they lower their pretensions, embrace the trusting environment and learn to be their most genuine selves.
Even if your child only participates in day camp, day campers have a chance to meet and connect with kids from all walks of life. Together, they must overcome differences, face challenges and enjoy the rewards of hiking mountains, scoring touchdowns and jumping off the high dive.
3. They Grow as People
When a child tries and fails, there is a fork in the road. They can stop trying (because, you know, failing is tough), or they can choose to try and try again. They can learn to keep trying until they succeed.
At camp, trying is requisite. And so is failing. Trust us, very few kids are naturally good at archery. However, counselors gently discourage kids from giving up on archery. Eventually, campers learn a new skill and feel the delight of achieving something new.
With these experiences, children gain resilience, confidence, self efficacy and trust.
4. They Find Mentors
Role models, mentors, camp counselors… Call them what you like. A child needs non-parental figures who can give them advice, teach them valuable lessons and guide them in positive directions. They also show children how to act, how to make friends, how to be confident and how to be a decent person. These are the important connections that flourish at camp.
The YMCA of Boulder Valley is currently registering for summer day and residential camp. Register at ymcabv.org. Financial assistance is available. Learn More about our camps in the Macaroni Kid Longmont Summer Camp Guide.
