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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