Top Ten Reasons for your child to
attend Summer Camp
Written by:
Aneta Eichler, Extension Agent
One of my fondest memories of
childhood is packing my bags and boarding a great big yellow school bus with my
twin sister. We were off to 4-H
camp! I’m sure my mom was probably more
excited than we were…a week with no kids in the house! J
I can still remember the excitement that coursed through my veins as I
met new friends, swam every day, visited the craft house where I learned about
leather crafting, participated in talent night and enjoyed the all night movie
under the big pavilion. I also remember
the disappointment when I learned that I still had to do chores! YUK! I had to make my bed, clean the cabin and
serve in cafeteria duty. However, completing
these tasks with friends made it almost fun.
I would not trade my memories of 4-H camp for anything in the world
(They have served me for well over 40 years…now that’s impact!).
I still get to enjoy 4-H camp every
summer and it is still one of my favorite job assignments! I want to encourage you to consider sending
your child or grandchild to camp with me this summer. I have compiled the top ten reasons I think
every child should have the opportunity to enjoy summer camp.
10. Camp encourages healthy
lifestyles and physical activity. Many
of our children are struggling with obesity and sedentary lifestyles due to
video games, television and computers.
At camp they have the freedom to smell the fresh air, observe the stars
under a moonlit sky, learn about native wildlife, canoe in the lake, play a
sport or take a hike. All this physical
activity leads to happier, healthier youth.
9.
Camp allows our youth to unplug.
Children leave their cell phones, ipods and other electronic devices at
home for the week. This gives children
the opportunity to discover their creative side. They are actually called upon to engage in
the real world of trees, soil, water and wildlife. Our children often suffer from “Nature
Deficit Disorder”. Camp can definitely remedy
this situation.
8.
Camp is a great place to learn new skills. Children have the opportunity to learn new
crafts, new games and new sports. They
might shoot a rifle for the first time or learn how to use a bow and arrow in
archery. They may develop their swimming
skills or learn to play the most crazed game…ga ga ball!! Learning a new skill can help bolster a young
person’s confidence which will carry into other areas of their life.
7.
Children learn to develop resiliency at camp. The children are given an opportunity to meet
new challenges face to face. It might be
as simple as learning a new skill or learning how to get along with
others. Each time the children are
successful in conquering a challenge, they develop resiliency for the next challenge
that comes along in their life. They can think back and remember another time
they were challenged and overcame it.
This gives them courage to continue trying new things.
6.
Camp builds independent children.
Camp gives children a safe environment in which to begin practicing
independence. They will be expected to
make decisions for themselves, manage their daily choices, learn how to ask for
help and how to resolve conflict without a parents input. Children who become competent in self-managing
their lives will also become better problem solvers.
5. Campers have ample opportunities
to develop social skills. When children share responsibilities within a cabin
they must learn to cooperate well together.
There are chores to be completed which might lead to practice in
resolving disagreements and most definitely requires healthy communications to
get the job done effectively. Each
camper is expected to demonstrate respect for the others in their cabin, their
leaders and the camp grounds.
4. Camp is a fabulous place to
belong. Through silly songs and funny
chants the children develop a strong sense of belonging to a larger group. They share in similar memories that only that
group of group of children will experience.
Usually the children can experience life without the labels often
attached to them in schools. They aren’t
dyslexic or attention deficit, they are just kids having a really good time!
3.
Campers can develop a powerful identity.
The camp staff and teen leaders work with each child personally to help
them find something they are really good at.
Camp offers a wide range of activities that can encompass the abilities
and interests of most children. Children
need to feel the confidence of self-worth.
2.
Camp allows children to make new friends. They will have the opportunity to meet other
campers from several different Tennessee counties. This allows them to learn of other 4-H
programs and become knowledgeable of cultural diversity they may not otherwise
experience. Many of these campers will go on to see each
other at various 4-H events throughout their career. It’s always fun to recognize someone else when
you are away from home.
1.
It’s just plain FUN!!
For more
information about our local camp dates and fees please contact the UT Extension
office at 423-949-2611, email me at adodd2@utk.edu or visit 4-H Camp:
Jr. Camp Jr. High Camp Electric Camp
Line &
Design Camp Academic
Conference Target S.M.A.R.T.
camp
Behind the Scenes
Camp Quilt Workshop Hand-crafted Workshop