When thinking about summer camp, it’s easy to drift off into images of canoeing on lakes, roasting marshmallows over campfires and late night conversations with cabin mates.
On the surface, summer camp is about adventures, making new friends and having a great summer. And truly, it is about all those things… And so much more.
Summer camp provides more than just fun in the sun. It provides campers with invaluable life skills and life lessons that will stick around for years to come.
Being at camp allows kids to really explore their independence with the support of a safety net. Kids are given more of an opportunity to choose and lead within their own life. They have their counselors, but for the first time, they are spending considerable time away from their parents and their families. It’s a new and often uncomfortable situation, but summer camp ultimately ends up being one of the best experiences of their childhood.
Summer camp also helps to develop conflict resolution skills. Campers live in tight quarters and conflict is unavoidable. In order to make the summer go by smoothly, kids learn how to resolve their own problems in respectful and rational manner.
Another amazing benefit of summer camp is that kids are able to become more sensitive and aware of the needs and feelings of the people around them. They get to both hear the thoughts and feelings of others and be heard. It’s important that kids learn they can have these sort of meaningful and intimate conversations and develop a strong sense of empathy.
Camp also helps to give kids a grounded sense of identity and self-confidence. They are able to explore their own abilities and find success on their own. They are given a chance to really believe in themselves and what they are capable of achieving.
So sure, your child may be spending the summer learning archery, making friendship bracelets and singing camp songs, but summer camp provides a deeper and more impactful experience than can be seen on the surface. It will help them flourish and blossom into the person they are meant to be.
The YMCA of Boulder Valley is currently registering for summer day and residential camp. Register at ymcabv.org. Financial assistance is available.
