Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Kids Win When They Attend Summer Camp

By Janine Stormington


Should your child attend summer camp? Will your child be able to adjust and enjoy the camp? What are the chances that they might feel homesick? There are just a few of the questions you may have if you have never sent one of your children to summer camp.

For most kids, summer camp is a thoroughly enjoyable experience. They will have fun once they get to camp, even if they are somewhat apprehensive prior to attending the camp. With their peers and the camp counselors, they will enjoy new experiences. Even though they will be out of the view of their parents' watchful eyes, they will have appropriate supervision with the camp counselors.

If your child has special needs, either physically, emotionally or behaviorally, summer camp is ideal for them. In a safe relaxed atmosphere, they will learn to socialize and get along with their peers. Students who struggle with the academic subjects in school may find that they will excel in camp activities. They will practice many skills that don't have a "right" or "wrong" solution, and will grow in the process. They will get experience working as a team member, which is a skill they will use throughout their lifetime.

Kids who are under stress due to circumstances in their home will find that summer camp is an opportunity to take a break from the family problems. They will gain perspective and have the chance to forget about their trouble for a week or two during the camp session. There are even camps that specialize in children who are experiencing grief or other emotional difficulties in their lives. You will want to find out about the training and qualifications of camp personnel to determine if they are adequate to meet your child's needs. Just like regular summer camps, you'll find that these special needs camps offer the same fun, structured environment and activities for kids as other camps.

But what are the benefits of sending kids to summer camp? The American Camping Association reports that summer camps can provide children with the chance to develop life skills such as leadership, teamwork and problem-solving skills. Research conducted by Johns Hopkins sociology professor Karl Alexander, intentional summer camp programs help prevent summer learning loss by providing experiences that challenge children, keep them engaged, expand horizons and develop talents.

Sports-specific and activity specific camps also operate just like "general" camps, but give campers the opportunity to spend concentrated amounts of time building skill and ability in one particular activity. Does your child have a special activity they'd like to explore? They may already play sports and welcome the opportunity to improve their skills. You'll most likely be able to locate a summer camp that is build around this activity. Is your child interested in science, computers or water polo? Each of these sports have summer camps available. The bottom line is that your child is bound to reap the benefits of the summer camp, no matter which activity the camp is centered around.

The best time to check out the available camps in your area is in early spring. There are lots of Summer Camps in Los Angeles and Summer Camps in the Inland Empire to see what's available in your area. After checking out all the many types of summer camps in your area, be sure to make your reservations early to get the best selection.




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