At Just For Kids, our Chicago after school programs and summer camps ensure that kids have a safe environment in which to grow, learn, and have fun! Our summer camp is just about to start, and if you’ve already signed up your child, we can’t wait to see you! We understand that some parents are on the fence about sending their children to summer camp, so we wanted to outline a few benefits that camp can offer. At Just For Kids, our summer camp runs from June 21-August 25, so there is plenty of time for your kiddo to have fun all summer long!

Here are six ways that summer camp can be beneficial for kids of all ages:

• Kids can avoid the typical “Summer Brain Drain”: Brain drain, also known as summer learning loss, is when students forget all the new things they learned during the school year. We all know how hard it is for kids to go back to school after a summer filled with just sitting around. Somehow, all the math, history, and science they learned two months ago doesn’t even exist anymore, and it gets them off to a slow start when they get back to the classroom. At Just For Kids summer camps, we make sure the kids have tons of fun while still working out their brains by engaging in fun and educational activities and field trips.

• Kids won’t get bored during the summer: It happens every year without fail. It happened to us as children, and now it’s happening to our own kids. For the first week of summer, everyone is SO excited to be free from school! But what happens once the novelty wears off? You get to hear your kid complain about how bored they are all summer long. If your kid is old enough to stay home by themselves, they spend the summer watching TV or playing video games until you get home from work. Summer camp gives kids something to keep them occupied all summer long, and every day brings something new thanks to days full of sports, arts and crafts, water parks, and more!

• Kids will get to try and experience new things: Has your kiddo ever squealed with glee while rocketing down a waterslide? What about played a new sport they’ve never even heard of? Have they ever acted on a stage in front of their peers? If the answer is no, that’s okay! Just For Kids summer camp allows multiple opportunities for your child to experience new adventures every day, all while being guided by trained professionals so you never have to worry about their safety.

• Kids develop vital social skills at camp: Camp is one of the best ways for kids of all ages to develop social skills. While children get to see their friends at school, usually the time spent in a classroom is centered around intellectual growth. When kids come to camp, we specifically engage in activities that foster deep friendships due to the amount of interaction between kids. Children also get the opportunity to step out of their comfort zone and try new things, which can improve self-esteem. Kids also learn important conflict resolution skills when issues arise, create a sense of value in their community, and have opportunities to interact with children of all ages, as well as new adults other than their teachers and family. All of these interactions help to develop the social skills and responsibility it takes to create awesome adults out of spectacular children!

• Kids can explore new hobbies they might not experience at school: Due to budget cuts and lack of funding, many schools do not offer the same extracurriculars that they used to. If your kid has never had the chance to act or dance on a stage but you know they’re destined to be a star, our summer camp can provide that opportunity! Maybe your kiddo has a hidden talent for art or music? All of that is covered at Just For Kids summer camp!

• Kids will stay active: We can’t stress how important it is for kids to stay active during the summer. When kids are home by themselves, it can be tempting for them to sit around all day – I mean, we’d all love to do that! But at summer camp, every day is full of action and fun – the kids get exercise without even realizing it!

Just For Kids: Your Chicago Child Care Experts!

We love what we do at Just For Kids – and we want your child to experience the unparalleled fun of summer camp! Contact us today to learn more about our summer camp and child care options.