School’s out for summer! (Well, almost.) These words are probably music to your kid’s ears, but for a full-time or part-time employed parent, the endless stretch of open days can be a source of stress. How will you make sure your child is entertained, having fun, and getting outside while you juggle your job and usual responsibilities?
That’s where summer camp comes in. To some, summer camp may seem like an easy way to keep their child busy over the summer, but the benefits of attending camp go far beyond mere amusement. The truth is that summer camps can create opportunities to further your little one’s development and education while simultaneously relieving you of the stress of childcare. Read on to learn about all the helpful benefits of having your child attend summer camp, and why you should consider signing them up today!
The Benefits of Sending Your Child to Summer Camp
Continues Their Sense of Structure
For a child, the school day is their ultimate form of structure. Day in and day out, they follow a very specific schedule that tells them when to eat, learn, and play. That’s why the summer can be such a troubling time—without the usual structure provided by a school day, they can feel lost, uncertain, or stressed. In fact, research has shown that a regular routine can support healthy social-emotional development and self-regulation skills in children.
That’s why summer camps are a great way to keep your child on a schedule while still allowing them to enjoy their time off! Summer camps share similar structures to the average school day, but with more flexibility to allow your little one to play on their own. It gives them the comforting lull of routine while still allowing them to experience the freedom of the summer. Plus, it means going back to school in the fall will be less of an adjustment, since they’ll have already been on a similar schedule.
Keeps Them Screen-Free
Let’s face it—both adults and children spend way too much time in front of screens. In fact, did you know that the average child under six spends nearly three hours a day in front of screens, even though the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no more than one hour? Too much media consumption can hurt a child’s sleep, emotional development, and likelihood of academic achievement.
That’s where a summer camp can come in and pull them away from the glow of the television or computer! At summer camp, children are given the opportunity to engage in fun and challenging outdoor activities that stimulate their minds and encourage their creativity. They do things like sports, hiking, scavenger hunts, and swimming, teaching them how to find excitement in life outside of their screens!
Exposes Them to Nature
It’s not just important to get them off their screens and outside! You also want them exposed to nature, too. Most summer camps, if they’re not already located in nature, will take the children on frequent trips to beautiful outdoor locations. This allows them to truly connect with the natural world and develop an appreciation for the environment.
Children who may not ordinarily have the opportunity to experience nature can have their curiosities soar while taking in the magnificence of the outdoors. As an added benefit, spending time outside promotes mobility, which is essential for good physical, mental, and emotional health. Children can run, skip, jump, climb, laugh, and enjoy the fresh air outside. On top of all that, they also receive a good amount of vitamin D from the sun, which helps build strong bones—just don’t forget to send them with some sunscreen.
Helps Them Make New Friends
Your child probably loves their friends from school, and that’s great! However, after seeing the same kids every single day for the last seven months, it’s time for them to meet some new people. An important element of childhood development is learning crucial social skills, and one of those is the process of meeting new people.
At summer camp, your child will be exposed to children of different ages, backgrounds, and locations. They’ll find new friends in unlikely places, helping expand their worldview and acceptance of others. The more they practice these skills early on, the easier these moments of exposure to new people will be for your child as they get older.
Encourages Life-Long Skills
Summer camp is all about learning something new! Your kiddo will have ample opportunities to learn new skills—and not just things like basket weaving, bracelet making, or finger painting. At summer camp, your child will be exposed to important developmental and social skills that they can carry with them for the rest of their lives.
For example, your child can learn how to be a leader by guiding their peers on a hike or encouraging them during a team-building game. They might even discover they have a knack for it! Or, they will develop stronger communication and conflict-resolution skills when dividing up chores at camp. These small, day-to-day instances will foster important growth that may be hard to learn elsewhere.
Gives Them New Experiences
As a parent, you probably want your child to see everything, but are limited in your ability to show them it all! Summer camps allow your child to have access to a surplus of amazing activities. For example, at Cornerstone Academy, our summer camp program takes the children on two to three field trips every single week!
Parks, zoos, museums, and more—everything is on the table at summer camp. This exposure to a wide range of diverse experiences can help your child discover new things they absolutely love! They might find out they have a new love of animals after visiting a local farm, or learn they’re interested in swimming after visiting a beach. These fascinations can even grow into lifelong passions!
Gives You (The Parent) a Break!
School may be out, but that doesn’t mean the adults get a break! For many parents, the summer is a stressful time, as they now have to navigate juggling a full-time job with trying to find a way to entertain and care for their child. That’s where summer camp comes in, offering a safe but exciting space for your child to enjoy themselves while you continue with your usual day-to-day.
Although summer camp pricing may vary, it typically includes the cost of meals*, snacks, activities, entertainment, supplies, and sleeping accommodations (if it’s an overnight camp). This means you don’t have to worry about any part of your child’s day—everything is taken care of for you! You can rest easy knowing your child is having fun, staying socially and physically active, and being carefully watched over by a trustworthy adult.
*If you are one of the millions of families that rely on free or reduced-price meals during school, check out the USDA’s Summer Food Service Program. Search for a local program near you so you don’t have to stress about your child’s summer meals.
Check Out Our Summer Camp Program!
Do you have fond memories of your own time at summer camp growing up? Well, give your child the opportunity to experience the same! They’ll have the chance to enjoy the outdoors, explore new experiences, and meet people outside of their usual social circle. Plus, they’ll have super cool stories to tell their friends back at school!
So what do you say? Ready to sign up your child for an incredible and exciting summer? You can contact us today for more information about our summer camp or to reserve your spot. We can’t wait to see you and your child this summer!
