The Benefits of Summer Camp for Kids
With summer fast approaching, Brimacombe is a bustle of activity as we prepare for our first year of summer camps! We know many parents struggle to decide how their kids should spend their free time, particularly in the summer months. For some, it’s seen as a time for children to play and have fun. For others, it’s an opportunity for children to continue their studies or learn new skills. At Camp Brimacombe, we believe summer camp provides the perfect setting to do both.
There are SO many ways in which camp experiences benefit children, but we want to focus on a few of our favourites:
Ideal Environment for Learning and Growth: Education and learning doesn’t need to end when the school year does! Camp encourages resiliency, independence and confidence through “active play”. Camp is a safe, secure and healthy environment for kids to encounter tasks, trials and setbacks in fun play-scenarios that enable them to practice working with others, accepting guidance, and developing decision-making skills. When a child feels capable, their confidence and self-esteem is nurtured, and a foundation is created that benefits them for life.
Learning Valuable Leadership Capabilities: In a camp setting, children discover that a leader doesn’t have to be the loudest person in the group. A good leader requires a range of abilities and qualities that naturally enable them to take charge. It takes confidence, creativity (in decision-making and problem solving), delegation skills, and an understanding of teamwork, just to name a few. Camp offers an ideal environment for campers to practice these skills that will benefit them into adulthood.
Developing a Healthy Lifestyle: When physical activity is presented in the context of fun and games, children adopt a healthy lifestyle from a young age and are more likely to continue incorporating activity into their routine throughout their life. Active play for young children is the perfect way to begin promoting an active and healthy lifestyle!
Building Friendships: It is beneficial to provide children opportunities to spend time with other kids and Camp offers another outlet for children to make friends outside of a school setting. Friends are so much more than just playmates – they help children learn social skills, and how to control their emotions when responding to others. Guided and supported by positive role models in the form of camp counsellors, campers learn how to work with others, and make friends in a fun and safe environment. Camp fosters co-operation, caring, tolerance and respectfulness – qualities that will benefit them in all aspects of life.
“I am passionate about camp because I spent a majority of my childhood either at camp or camping. The vast skills and experiences it provided me have gone on to benefit me in many facets of my life, both personally and professionally.
I truly believe that camp is an empowering experience for children, as new challenges are faced and overcome each day. It provides a nurturing environment for children to learn and grow in their capabilities while developing beneficial lifestyle behaviours. When learning, playing and having fun at camp can have such a positive impact, it seems like a win-win situation to me!”
– Skyler Blight, Camp Brimacombe Director
Don’t miss out on all the fun at Camp Brimacombe this summer! Register today at summercamp.brimacombe.ca.