Whoever coined the term, “the lazy days of summer” must not have had young children! Certainly it’s great not to have the pressures of the school year, but many working parents still need childcare when school is out. Summer day camps not only fill this gap, but can provide an enriching atmosphere where children can thrive and grow during the summer months.
Social growth
Children attending day camp have the chance to socialize in a way that is not always possible at school. Whether engaged in team building in sports or problem solving puzzles, children are encouraged to interact with each other. This is likely to be a very different experience than being at school where individual accomplishments are often the focus.
Michelle Renfrow, licensed professional counselor and owner of Colorful Creations Art and Therapy services, “It also offers an opportunity to meet like-minded individuals who share a passion for something that they do.” She says of two of her campers who bonded over an interest in trains, “They weren’t the same age; they didn’t go to the same school; they didn’t have the same upbringing; but they had something in common that connected them. From a clinical standpoint, finding somebody that you have a connection with is greatly important to the development of our children.”
New skills and learning
The variety in day camps is really incredible. Some day camps offer a range of activities each day. Other camps may focus on learning specific skills like science or magic tricks, arts and crafts or sports. Children can often switch activities week by week, giving them exposure to many different experiences. The learning and growing doesn’t stop there. Says Renfrow of her art themed day camps, “We do a lot of taking moments for students to show off their artwork and allow others to give them constructive and positive feedback.” In this way the children learn not only the artistic concepts being taught but also how to give and receive feedback.
Exercise
Many day camps offer activities to help combat our increasingly sedentary lifestyle. Choosing a gymnastics, dance, soccer, or other sport related day camp will obviously get your child moving. But even day camps focused on arts and crafts or theater may offer daily swimming or time outdoors.
Time unplugged
Screens are becoming more and more integrated into our lives both in and out of school. But there are good reasons to limit children’s screen times. Day camps can vary in their use of electronics from those that don’t allow them at all, to those that rely on them for various activities. If you want your child’s eyes to have a break from screens, find out the day camp’s policies on screen time in advance.
Building confidence
Day camp can be a place to increase confidence as children are exposed to activities they may not have experienced during the school year. Many camps offer the opportunity to build skills in sports or in the arts. This can be especially beneficial to a child who struggles at school, giving them a chance to excel and explore talents that might be less obvious during the school year. Renfrow has watched children blossom before her eyes. “I cannot tell you the excitement and relief they feel when they finally ‘get it’ and then they just flourish from there!” she says of her campers who have begun to master knitting and crocheting.
Flexibility
While school has the same rules all year long, day camp is more flexible. Your child might go to theater camp one week but baseball camp the next. Each will have its own routines and expectations. This can help encourage your child to stay flexible in their expectations. Children who need more time to adjust to new experiences may benefit from multiple weeks at the same camp. Many summer day camps operate on a week by week basis, so that if your child is not enjoying the experience, he or she can opt out when the week is over.
Positive Role Models
Day camps may employ teens or college aged youth for their first summer jobs. This can expose children to a new dynamic they may not have encountered, especially if they do not have older siblings. Renfrow believes having people of all ages is essential to running a great day camp. Even middle schoolers are included in her camps as well supervised counselors-in-training. According to Renfrow, this relationship can be every bit as good for the young employees as it is for the campers.
All in all, quality day camps offer an incredible chance for children to learn and grow all while having fun and getting a much needed break from the rigors of school. They can explore their interests in a healthy environment, and make new friends and fond memories while they’re at it!
