Five Ways Summer Camp Will Shape Your Child

Typically we save summer camp for the end of the summer but this year Carly Jo tried something new and headed to an early session at T Bar M summer camp. She completed her 6th year of summer camp this year and I truly believe camp will always be one of her favorite summer memories. Have you considered summer camp for your child? Todays Five on Friday is all about Five Ways Camp Will Shape Your Child.

Summer Camp Teaches Independence

If you did the math, Carly has been heading to summer camp since just after 1st grade. Looking at pictures this year from all the campers and seeing those little ones it is hard to believe she was heading to camp as such a little scamp. Camp teaches independence in ways my kids just will not receive at home. Without mom or dad there to give instruction, kids are free to be themselves, learn how to follow daily instruction and to make choices on their own. Something as simple as being able to choose their outfit each day or the food they will eat goes a long way to teaching them to be independent.

Summer Camp Instills Confidence

We all have fears which hold us back in life and summer camp is a perfect place to conquer fears and gain confidence. Whether it is the simple fear of being away from parents and learning to feel safe sleeping in a cabin of girls or a big fear of heights conquered by jumping off a zipline platform, kids will conquer fears. Without the pressure of parents or peers who know them on the daily, kids are more free to be themselves and learn to feel confident in their own skin.

Summer Camp Encourages Growth

At summer camp children are free to explore and think outside the box. Socially they are pushed to meet new people and they learn they really can enjoy others who are different from them. We choose a camp with a Christian focus and worshiping openly with others daily helps them grow their heart for Jesus and bring that back to their daily lives. Oh, did I also mention this grows you as parents too because sometimes leaving them that first time is HARD.

Summer Camp Teaches Responsibility

You think summer camp is all fun and games? Not without some responsibility! These campers make their bunk daily, pick up the cabin and even learn to clean the bathroom; toilets included. Being responsible for keeping up with their belongings and even packing up at the end of camp all on their own is such a great lesson.

Summer Camp Stills Their Minds

With no technology allowed, summer camp allows kids to have a clear head and frees their mind to focus on soaking up all the beauty of each day. Having this week to be free of TV and texting and even social media for some frees their mind from so much social pressure. I really feel it helps my kids connect the dots of feeling calm with downtime.

Bonus: Summer Camp is Fun

Of course the best reason to head to summer camp is all the fun! I think it’s easy for all of us to forget sometimes how to even have fun with the stress and responsibility of the every day. Getting away, enjoying nature and going from dawn to dust every day just soaking up every last bit of fun creates so much joy and energy. The smile on my kids face on pickup day is always a reminder it is worth the sacrifice to find a way to send them to camp each year.

Here is a look at Carly Jo’s week! You can see she had a blast.