A difficult goodbye for a desirable outcome

The decision to send your child off to summer camp is often not an easy one to make. However, across the US alone, over 11 million children and adults attend over 12,000 different camps, according to the American Camp Association (ACA).

These figures are bound to reassure even the most protective of parents that by packing off their children for a short time in the summer, they are encouraging them to embark on a potentially life-changing journey that will increase their independence, broaden their horizons, and allow them to make friends for life.

Not to mention the added bonus of the peace, quiet, and freedom to do as you please!

Should I send my child to summer camp?

If you’re unsure whether you should or should not send your child to summer camp, you should first weigh the pros and cons. However, you should first ask your child if he or she is interested in spending his or her summertime vacation in a summer camp. It’s of course important to consider the interests of your child. There are several summer camps that offer specialized programs that cater to children’s specific interests.

You can then ask your child to help you write a list of pros and cons. It would be helpful to write it in a tabular format. You can write the pros in one column and the cons in another column.

Then, assign weighted points in terms of importance or how you strongly feel about each item in your list. You may use a range of one to ten points for each item in your list. Total them then subtract the cons from the pros. If the result is highly positive, then you can seriously consider sending your child to summer camp.

Is it safe to send my child to summer camp?

Sending your child to a summer camp can be emotionally tough, especially when it’s the first time. Most likely, one of your primary concerns will be your child’s safety. Summer camps have very high standards of safety based on regulations

Camps that have violations are either fined or closed down by regulators. You can also do your own research or even have an interview with the camp director via video chat or a virtual tour to determine the level of safety of a camp. You could even visit the camp to tour to see the facilities.

What is the best age to go to summer camp?

The best age range is usually between pre-teen and teenager. This is typically the age range in which children need peer support and a sense of belonging or social contacts outside the family.

Children under five tend to need more parental supervision and companionship. Those who are at least six years of age and above may go to camp without the need for parental supervision and companionship.

6 benefits of going to camp

We’ve taken a look into six of the benefits your children can enjoy as a result of attending summer camp.

1. Increased independence

A study of 80 camps carried out by the ACA found significant growth in children’s social-emotional skills after a session of summer camp. Staff, parents, and the children themselves reported an increase in self-esteem, independence, leadership, friendship skills, decision-making skills, and the social comfort of children attending the camps.

Camps are designed to be a safe space for children, where silliness is welcomed and bullying is swiftly nipped in the bud. This welcoming environment is a great place for your children to have their first taste of independence away from the comfort bubble of home.

2. Meeting positive role models

Year on year, college students from all over the world flock to American summer camps in order to better themselves and show younger children what a good role model looks like. This realistic but nurturing approach is perfect for introducing your child to young adults and different global cultures.

Especially important for any children who have grown up without the guidance of an older sibling, befriending a camp leader could even lead to a lifelong friendship and support system for your child.

More importantly still, camp leaders come in all shapes and sizes, and all camp environments place very little emphasis on body build and looks. This could be crucial in giving your child a realistic look at the world that isn’t influenced by the perfection they are used to seeing in the media, as well as build body confidence for children who may have struggled previously.

3. Overcoming challenges & increased resilience

Summer camps are known for their problem-solving activities and for creating an accepting environment where your child can make mistakes and learn from them. There is a big emphasis placed on teamwork and collaboration, which teaches your child an essential part of being an adult that will serve them well in later life.

Some camps (depending on which ones you choose) also place focus on spirituality, which could encourage your child to take a larger look at the world we live in, making them a well-rounded individual able to form their own opinions on important issues. This is something that can remain relevant throughout their life, and help them articulate their feelings successfully when it comes to university applications and other important events.

4. Experiencing the outdoors

Not only will a summer camp awaken their sense of adventure, but it also allows children to fully embrace the outdoors, with camps often based in lakeside or forest locations and mountainous regions.

Participating in activities such as kayaking, raft-building, treasure-finding, and high-rope courses could even spark a passion for adventure activities and encourage your child to pursue a healthy lifestyle filled with fun fitness activities.

5. Developing communication skills

From the moment they set foot in camp to the final goodbye, your child will be constantly improving their communication and social skills. Through the tactical usage of teamwork, problem-solving activities, modeling the positive social behavior of camp leaders, and being encouraged to express their thoughts, children can unlock valuable social skills.

Other important areas relevant to this, such as empathy, cooperation, and a sense of altruism, will also be enforced in the process.

6. Nurturing their passions

Some summer camps have a specific focus, so you can choose one that will really suit your child, nurture their passion, and ensure they have fun.

Different types of camps include sports camps, religious camps, art and media camps, wilderness camps, and even STEM camps where children can get hands-on with science (we think that’s a great idea!).

Summer camp often has the ability to transform even the most introverted individuals into social butterflies through a safe, supportive space where they can flourish among new friends.