by Christopher Pyle
You recognize the benefits of residential summer camps, you care about the experience your child receives and thus you’re researching just a bit more. Whether you’re a 3-kids-a-year-for-3-years summer camp veteran or a first time parent, there are some things you’ve thought about.
One of the first things you noticed and contemplated, there are many camp types to pick. In this sea of camp offerings, many appear to be the same camp rebranded. Of course, you want to choose the right one because they’re not inexpensive. Lastly, you’ve wondered if it’s possible to find a camp the kids will love but will benefit them, you know, a little education or something.
You’re exactly correct in each thought. The volume of camps is overwhelming. They do cost a fair amount of money, there are similar programs and yes you should be able to have your child’s person positively impacted while away.
Most children want to go off to play, to have fun and so, it would be ideal to have them at a camp that addressed your want for a little education and the child be none-the-wiser for being at this type of camp: It can be done.
The most obvious camp for education are camps specific to college prep programs or that offer summer classes, often on a university campus. Often kids will rebuff the idea of these camps because they don’t appear fun and seem like more school. In these cases you need to be more discrete in the program you’re looking at.
Try to locate camps that refer to team building. In their descriptions see what they do that is supposed to build teams. For instance, a rafting camp requires campers to work together to get their raft safely downstream. Hiking a mountain or climbing on ropes will require a team attitude for support and safety.
Look for a camp that references activities that require people to engage one on one and in groups. Buzz words to look for: discussions, community, leadership, evening campfire, interconnectedness, etc. These are camps that have thought enough about the benefits of communication and improving these skills.
Try to locate camps that speak of teaching and learning through experience. Since programs are being pulled from schools at an ever-increasing rate, we’re losing this type educational experience. Camps that focus on this type of learning will help to offset some of the loss.
Let’s look at the whitewater rafting camp again. If the camp is noting experiential education: teamwork is learned in each phase of a rafting trip from preparing the gear, to suiting up, to learning to paddle as a synchronized crew, learning safety techniques, and how to swim in moving water. These skills encompass the physical, the mental and the verbal. All of this while rafting, there are other elements to camp as well.
If you’re exploring residential camps, you probably have the means to send your child. It’s natural and good parenting to want to get the most experience for your dollar spent. Your child’s life will be greatly enriched from their summer experiences.
In summary, yes, camp is meant to be fun and your child should have the time of a lifetime; however, with a little time on the internet, armed with a few insider tips and key words to look for, you can find a camp that is both fun and educational. I do believe, when it comes to summer camps, you can have your cake and eat it too. Best in your summer quest!
About the Author:
Christopher Pyle has been rafting the forks of the American River for 24-years. As owner/director of
Action WhitewatersSummer Camp, he allows Mother Nature and her incredible classroom to inspire and strike awe into campers. See what it’s like, and to learn how you can join him, visit the
camp page.