| At Overnight Summer Camps, children are given | | | | Camping Association provided answers to |
| the choice to take risks and try new things. This | | | | questions like "What did you learn at camp?" "How |
| voluntary nature makes children more open to | | | | are you different in school because of what you |
| new experiences, with personal satisfaction as | | | | did at camp last summer?" "How do you feel |
| their motivation. Not only are there opportunities | | | | differently about yourself since you've been to |
| to try new things, but camp offers many areas | | | | camp?" American Camp Association |
| for children to excel in. At a good general interest | | | | Can you think of things you learned and did at |
| camp, the non-athlete can shine at arts and | | | | camp last summer that helped you in school this |
| crafts, woodworking, or dramatic programs, while | | | | year? * I learned to have more patience and to |
| the athlete can also find many outlets for their | | | | appreciate the things I have. (10 year old female) |
| skills. Perhaps most importantly, the two campers | | | | * I feel that I am better at interacting with |
| learn to live together and become friends despite | | | | friends and family. The people skills learned at |
| their varied interests. | | | | camp affected me dramatically when I went |
| Kids Summer Camps offer many opportunities to | | | | home. (15 year old male) * Leadership, |
| become competent. Practicing both new and old | | | | organization, water-skiing, make my bed, keep |
| skills on a regular basis, it makes sense that there | | | | my stuff clean, to keep in touch with my friends, |
| will be improvement. Novices have chances to | | | | respect, how to handle pressure. (13 year old |
| learn, while those who are more experienced can | | | | female) |
| improve. Learning new skills and improving on old | | | | If explaining camp to friends, what would you say |
| ones builds self-esteem. Children become more | | | | you learn here? * You learn mostly how to |
| independent and self-reliant at camp with their | | | | interact with different kinds of people and are |
| new found skills. | | | | open to different ideas. You learn how to |
| Sending your child to camp is giving them an | | | | cooperate well with others who share and don't |
| opportunity to try something new. No matter | | | | share the same opinions as you. (15 year old |
| how many after-school programs or lessons a | | | | female) * I learned to have fun, be a leader, |
| child takes, its likely they will never have the | | | | discipline, and most of all - respect. (12 year old |
| opportunity to try all that is offered at summer | | | | male) * You learn how to make new friends, learn |
| camp. In a supportive environment, the child can | | | | different sports, and learn that camp can be a |
| try at something new. The interesting twist to | | | | very good part of summer! (9 year old female) |
| these activities is that, since campers often don't | | | | Do you feel differently about yourself when you |
| know anyone else at camp before they go, they | | | | are at camp? * I feel differently because I feel |
| are more willing to try activities that their friends | | | | like I am accomplishing something by being here. |
| at home might not expect them to. The athlete | | | | (13 year old female) * At school there are |
| can try out for the camp play, while the artist | | | | defined groups of people, but at camp, everyone |
| may dabble in sports. At camp, children can try | | | | feels wanted. (15 year old female) * Yes, because |
| new things and set their own goals for success. | | | | I'm with people my age and people who respect |
| Though years later, your child may not remember | | | | everyone. (11 year old male) * At camp I think |
| capture the flag games or the words to a camp | | | | that I can do more and be proud of myself. (13 |
| song, the life lessons learned at camp will remain. | | | | year old female) * At camp I have a personality |
| At camp, a child learns how to take responsibility. | | | | that is different from home. I'm less cautious to |
| The child who has never before made a bed, will | | | | do fun or exciting things. I don't feel as alone as I |
| learn how to smooth out sheets and blankets and | | | | sometimes do at home. (14 year old male) * |
| tidy up a cubby. Though counselors will remind and | | | | When I'm at camp I feel that I can be more open |
| encourage, campers quickly take responsibility for | | | | with myself and others. I tell people things at |
| personal hygiene, and for more minor health | | | | camp I wouldn't speak of back home. I feel so |
| issues, a camper learns to articulate what hurts | | | | much more in tune with myself here and I can |
| and how to get help. All of this personal | | | | discuss issues so much more openly. (15 year old |
| responsibility further fosters a sense of | | | | male) * I don't have to be fake to anyone. |
| independence and self-esteem. Camp also | | | | Everyone here accepts me as I am and I'm not |
| improves a child's social skills by making new | | | | judged or criticized. (15 year old female) |
| friends and learning how to reach out to | | | | Given the benefits of a sleepaway camp, it |
| strangers. At camp, children learn to get along | | | | seems that all children should enroll. There are |
| with others, all while living together 24 hours a | | | | camps for almost all children, including those with |
| day, learning about courtesy, compromise, | | | | special needs. However, there are certainly |
| teamwork, and respect. Minnesota Camps | | | | children who are not ready for an overnight camp |
| During a recent survey of campers in 20 different | | | | experience. Be sure you and your child are ready |
| camps that where accredited by the American | | | | to leave home. |