Why Summer Camp Makes Great Kids
Summer camp is good for the kids – it seems that that is the general consensus. But exactly how does summer camp achieve that? I read this great article on reasons summer camps create great kids. Little Red sums it up nicely.
Camps Don’t “Teach to the Test”: “What we are seeing is that schools today are increasingly “teaching to the test” and in the process stripping out invaluable parts of their curriculums such as theater, dance, art and music programs, and physical education.
The idea is that children who go to summer camps do not participate because they are going to be tested at the end of the whole thing BUT simply because they need an outlet for all that creative energy that may be pent up within them. They go to summer camp to have fun, period.
Learn to Love and Respect the Natural World: “There is a real danger that our children’s generation won’t pick up the environmental mantle since they are spending a record-low number of hours in nature.
Learning to appreciate the natural world is something that we cannot take for granted. This is especially true for children who grow up in the city. Unless their parents make it a point to spend time outdoors with the kids, the children may very well grow up not having a healthy appreciation for nature. Spending a couple of weeks outdoors in summer camp can help offset months and months of city living.
(to be continued)
June 29, 2008 at 5:10 am
As parents we need to also Love and respect ourselves, as we do, the example will be passed down.
July 9, 2008 at 2:03 pm
As a former teacher and someone who works regularly with kids and parents, I definitely agree with your take on this. So much time is spent on schools doing evaluations primarily to make it look like something is happening. Unfortunately the emphasis on socials skills and connection gets lost in the shuffle. Camps certainly are a welcome focus on the learning. My daughter is thoroughly enjoying a series of theater and zoo camps. Oh the things schools could learn.