If you want to ensure your kids get to have an adventurous experience in nature, summer camp is the solution. Kids who spend a week (or more) away from home at sleepaway camp have the chance to unplug from technology, spend time in the great outdoors, create lifelong friendships, become more confident, and grow in independence.
These are just a few of the reasons why all kids need summer camp. In this article, we are discussing some of the benefits that prove all children need summer camp.
Five Reasons Kids Need to Experience Summer Camp
1) Summer Camp Provides a Break from Technology
As we become more dependent on technology in our society, we see the negative impacts children are experiencing because of too much screen time. Their physical, mental, and social well-being is suffering.
Of course, there are benefits of technology. During the pandemic, students were able to continue education through virtual means. At the same time, the use of screens in school only further highlights the need for students to spend more time outside.
At camp, phones, laptops, and tablets are left at home. Free from these distractions, kids can form genuine connections with their peers, which is part of what makes camp friends so special. Spending time in nature is vital for children. Not only does spending time outdoors keep kids active, but it has also been shown to reduce stress and increase confidence.
2) Children Learn Valuable Skills at Summer Camp
A week at sleep-away camp will help your child learn skills they would not otherwise. Some of the skills kids learn at Camp Tekoa include:
- Students will learn about hiking and trail navigation.
- Students will learn better about climbing and develop better balance through ropes courses.
- Students will learn more about sports they love, and they will be introduced to new sports.
- Students will learn about canoeing, boating, and water safety.
- Students will learn about the outdoors, wildlife safety, and camping.
- Students will learn about teamwork.
The skills kids learn at camp will follow them for the rest of their lives.
3) Kids Make New Friends
At camp, children can meet other kids with shared interests in a comfortable atmosphere. They also make new pals from other walks of life. Children form genuine connections over their camp experience, the obstacles they encounter together, and the enjoyment they have free of pressure and media distraction.
4) Children Gain Independence
The summer camp environment is designed to be completely safe. At the same time, your child gets to experience a measure of freedom they would not get at school or home.
Although nurturing counselors are there at all times, they are also responsible for a number of other children. Counselors guide campers in the proper way while still giving them the freedom to maintain some autonomy. The value of this experience cannot be understated.
You may be concerned that your child is not quite ready for the full summer camp experience. Tekoa offers a solution to allow kids to get a taste of camp without having to be away from you for an entire week.
Elementary Mini Overnight Camp is a shortened version of our weeklong elementary resident camp. This four-day, three-night camp is a fun introduction for our first-time or younger campers.
5) Kids Get to Connect with God
God’s creation is beautiful and reveals his character. Summer camp inundates children with nature. They are immersed in the beauty and majesty of the one who made the mountains, trees, and waters. Meanwhile, their counselors will be demonstrating what it looks like to walk with God in high school and college.
The benefits of camp are obvious and extend far beyond this list. Located in Hendersonville, about twenty miles south of Asheville, Camp Tekoa offers summer camp programs for elementary, middle, and high school-aged students. We want to make sure parents feel as comfortable as possible sending their kids to camp, so please reach out to us with any questions you have.
If you are ready to sign your child up for camp today, here is more information about our dates and rates.