| , millions of children suffer from a lack of outdoor | | | | self-selecting activities, maintaining camp areas and |
| exposure and play, summer vacation only | | | | mentoring younger campers. |
| increases a parents' concerns about their kids | | | | * Learn life skills -- Camps provide fun and |
| spending days in front of the television, computer | | | | positive ways to define and cultivate life skills, |
| or electronic gaming. | | | | whether learning patience through archery, building |
| Even with a challenging economy, many parents | | | | confidence by zip lining or working as a team |
| realize the benefits of investing in their kids' | | | | playing water polo. |
| futures with the summer camp experiences . | | | | * Get kids outdoors -- Summer camp teaches |
| Summer Camp is a safe and nurturing place that | | | | youth to be "more green" by connecting campers |
| promotes outdoor play but more importantly it | | | | with their outdoor surroundings and opening |
| builds important life skills. | | | | awareness for our planet. The Children & |
| Richard Louv, author of "Last Child in the Woods: | | | | Nature Network, an organization that is dedicated |
| Saving our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder" | | | | to help children experience nature's joys and |
| and chairman of the Children & Nature | | | | lessons, supports summer camps as a way to |
| Network, believes "Free play in natural areas | | | | connect children with nature. |
| enhances children's cognitive flexibility, | | | | * Push comfort zones -- Trying new challenges is |
| problem-solving ability, creativity, self-esteem and | | | | the key to building self-confidence, and ACA |
| self-discipline." and that "Children are simply happier | | | | research shows 75 percent of campers push |
| and healthier when they have frequent and varied | | | | themselves to learn new things at camp. ACA |
| opportunities for experiences in the out-of-doors," | | | | accredited camps like Camp Lincoln/Camp Lake |
| Summer camp provides the right setting for | | | | Hubert, must comply with up to 300 health and |
| building self-confidence, social comfort, peer | | | | safety standards. |
| relationships, environmental awareness and a | | | | * Have fun -- Counselors help campers discover |
| deeper sense of values. It is clear that "Overnight" | | | | how fun the great outdoors can be designing |
| camps result in even higher levels of success in | | | | safe, engaging activities that let kids be kids, while |
| fostering relationships and building life skills. just | | | | teaching valuable life lessons. |
| ask Michael Eisner, past president of Disney in his | | | | * Develop quality relationships -- Camps create |
| book "Camp" believes in the summer camp | | | | community cultures that minimize social pressures, |
| experience. | | | | making campers feel more themselves. Camp |
| Along with the benefits of supervised, outdoor | | | | fosters an environment for supportive adult |
| recreation and play, there are other reasons to | | | | relationships, like those between counselors and |
| consider camp as an important part of youth | | | | campers, which research proves is a source of |
| development: | | | | emotional guidance. |
| * Build self-esteem -- Studies show self-esteem | | | | * Gain independence -- While the idea of sending |
| comes from feeling competent and having | | | | kids away to camp may give parents uneasy |
| successful experiences, and youth report | | | | feelings, the American Camp Association reports |
| significant increases after attending camp. | | | | the experience of achievement and social |
| *Build leadership skills -- Camps play a critical role | | | | connection away from home can nurture a child's |
| in fostering leadership skills by giving young people | | | | independence. |
| responsibilities unavailable in other settings, such as | | | | |