It is no secret that many children spend too much time in front of the computer or television screen today, and have little outdoors activity or interest in the natural world around them.

 

According to research by Psychology Today, camp makes kids resilient to daily life stresses and helps develop other positive traits in children. “A summer camp experience is so much more than learning to canoe or singing songs around the campfire,” said Hugh Haller, president/CEO of the Camping and Education Foundation. “Whether children attend a week-long day camp or a several week sleep-away camp, the lifelong impact a camp experience can have on a child is monumental.

 

“Skills like social interaction, self-confidence, a love and respect for nature, healthy living choices; all of these can be learned and cemented at camp. It is truly a priceless experience and one every child should have a chance to enjoy,” he says.

 

To help parents take a more active role in getting their kids interested in and active in the outdoors, the foundation offers a list of tips about why it is beneficial for children to go to camp during the summer:

 

To try new things – Camp pushes children out of their comfort zone and exposes them to new activities and experiences that they may not be familiar with. Campers get the opportunity to try out different things and discover new hobbies or passions. By exploring various types of activities, children have a greater chance of finding something that they excel at or that makes them happy.


Unplug from technology – When kids take a break from TV, cell phones, and the Internet, they rediscover their creative powers and engage the real world – real people, real activities, and real emotions.
Grow more independent – Camp is the perfect place for kids to practice making decisions for themselves without parents and teachers guiding every move. Managing their daily choices in the safe, caring environment of camp, children welcome this as a freedom to blossom in new directions.
Reconnect with nature – Camp is a wonderful antidote to “nature deficit disorder,” to the narrow experience of modern indoor life. Outdoor experience enriches kid’s perception of the world and supports healthy childhood development.
To build character – On top of making new friends, campers also develop an appreciation for the qualities required to cultivate and strengthen these relationships. Camp provides children with the core values of a strong, moral individual by teaching them about ethics, honesty, caring, respect and responsibility. Parents frequently report that after camp, their children are more kind, understand the importance of giving, are more equipped to stand up for what they know is right, and are willing to be more responsible.

 

 

  1. The Camping and Education Foundation’s mission is to develop young men and women in body and spirit through wilderness experiences that celebrate a love of the outdoors. For more information, visit www.campingedu.org.