Going to summer camp is a long-standing right of passage for many kids. It’s often the first time a child stays away from home for an extended period of time, and in many cases, an opportunity for them to learn more about who they are as individuals. Friendships made and skills learned at summer camp stick with children for a lifetime, forming memories they often look back on with extreme fondness. Many summer camps were established during the 1940s and 50s, when parents in places like Chicago realized how important it was for kids to experience a change of scenery.

But not every kid is keen on the idea of summer camp. Pre-teens can be shy, and younger children are often quite intimidated by the idea of spending a week or more away from the comfort and safety of their home.

So what should you do if you’re a Chicago parent who’s interested in giving your child the experience of summer camp, but your child’s not jumping on the bandwagon?

Keep reading to learn more about the various benefits of attending summer camp, and why Just For Kids summer camp might be a better alternative for everyone!

The Benefits Of Going To Summer Camp…

…For Kids

Physical Activity – “The percentage of children with obesity in the United States has more than tripled since the 1970s. Today, about one in five school-aged children (ages 6–19) has obesity,” reports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. You know the best way to combat childhood obesity? Physical activity! Summer camp is full of opportunities for kids to have fun while also exercising: Running, swimming, jumping, hiking, climbing–all of this and more is a daily point of summer camp.

Self-Confidence – The best way to build self-confidence is to step outside your comfort zone, and summer camp is a great opportunity for kids to excel at non-competitive activities and diverse opportunities for showing off what makes them special.

Social Skills – When at home, kids to take social cues from their parents, acting as they act and communicating as they communicate. Summer camp is a different type of environment, a close-knit community where everyone must agree to cooperate and respect each other in order to maintain the peace. Children often “behave” better at summer camp because their actions impact their own reputation.

…For Parents

Taking A Break – Although parents love their kids, it’s fair to say that every parent feels overwhelmed on a regular basis. Kids get a break from school during the summer, but parents almost never get a break from the kids! Signing children up for summer camp gives parents a much needed breather without having to worry about whether the kids are safe and occupied during the day.

Letting Go – Attending summer camp is important for getting kids to spread their wings, but it can also be beneficial for those whose parenting style might skew a little towards “helicopter.”

“If you are a parent who is constantly supervising and monitoring, when you send your child to camp, it throws you up against your own philosophy and habits of constant supervision and control. When you send your child to camp, you have to give that up,” psychologist Michael Thompson, author of Homesick and Happy: How Time Away from Parents Can Help a Child Grow, said in an interview with TIME.

Conversation Topics To Prepare Your Child For Summer Camp

If your child is acting hesitant or fearful of the prospect of attending camp this summer, it’s a good idea to have a conversation or two to address these anxieties. The questions and topics below may be helpful:

• What do you feel camp might be like?
• What about the camp experience makes you feel worried?
• What things could I do to help you feel more comfortable with the idea of going to camp? (Send daily emails, schedule phone calls, come for a visit, etc)
• Discuss the types of activities in which the child may get to participate.
• Discuss your own experience with summer camp as a kid (talk about positives as well as how you handled negatives productively)
• Discuss personal goals they may have, like making new friends or learning a new skill, and how camp can help them accomplish these things

Not Ready For Overnight Camp? Just For Kids Has An Alternative!

If your child is between the ages of 5 and 12, and is interested in summer camp but intimidated by the overnight aspect, Just For Kids has a winning alternative! Our summer day camp program in Chicago gives kids a chance to experience all the fun and independence of summer camp without the stress of sleeping in a strange bed. Contact us to learn more about summer camp opportunities in 2017!