10 Benefits of Sleepaway Camp for Kids (and their parents!)
It’s that time of year again, when many of our kids head off to sleepaway camp. First-timers and parents are filled with so many mixed emotions, from excitement for the newfound freedom waiting around the corner (for both kids and parents), to anxiety driven by worst-case scenarios your child might have to navigate without you immediately by her side.
However, many years and generations of the tried and true sleepaway camps have proven to be very beneficial for kids, teaching skills and offering exposure to experiences not available at home. They contribute to their personal, social, and emotional development, while creating experiences and memories they will cherish for a lifetime.
In fact, an article published last year by the American Camp Association sheds light on why summer camp is especially beneficial to our kids after years of managing through disruptions to childhood caused by the pandemic. Camp experiences play a vital role in the development of the whole child, with major benefits to mental health. Simplifying their day-to-day environment by removing technology and increasing meaningful in-person interactions, camp teaches our youth how to be more present. Additionally, teens working at camp gain professional development and life skills in such a profound, unique way, allowing these young adults to enter the workforce with confidence.
Whether your child is 6 or 16, here are 10 compelling benefits of sleepaway camp for you to keep in mind this summer:
Independence and Responsibility. Being away from home helps children learn to take care of themselves, make decisions, and manage their daily routines and time without parental guidance. Increased independence and opportunities for free play is one of the primary recommendations by Jonathan Haidt in his latest and most popular read.
Social Skills and Cultural Exposure. Sleepaway camps offer opportunities to meet and interact with peers from diverse backgrounds, fostering communication skills, and the ability to make new friends while promoting inclusivity and understanding. For kids who need a break from their own peer groups at school, new camp friends provide additional benefits for emotional growth and social interaction.
Confidence and Self-Esteem. Trying new activities and overcoming challenges at camp can boost a child's confidence and sense of accomplishment – especially if they did it without being under the watchful eye of mom or dad! The overall camp experience contributes to greater feelings of belonging, learning and contributing for our kiddos, offering many confidence boosters that are often more varied and richer than those available at home.
Resilience and Adaptability. Children learn to cope with being in a new environment, potential homesickness, adapting to different situations, and dealing with minor setbacks, which builds resilience and encourages emotional growth.
Physical Activity. Many camps provide a range of outdoor activities such as hiking, swimming, and sports, promoting physical fitness and daily movement. They might even discover a new activity they love and can do back home!
Skill Development. Camps offer various programs and activities that help children discover and develop new skills and hobbies, from arts and crafts to outdoor survival skills.
Connection with Nature. Spending time outdoors helps our kiddos develop a greater appreciation for the environment and can foster a lifelong love of nature, which can also be channeled as a coping skill when navigating challenges. Research suggests that the benefits from time in nature (for kids and adults alike) are vast. From better sleep to improved emotional well-being and increased opportunities to move our bodies, this is a major benefit that often comes more frequently at camp than at home for many kids.
Unplugging from Technology. There’s no lack of research suggesting that today’s generation of kids experience more negative impacts from screens and technology than ever before. Most sleepaway camps provide a natural opportunity for digital detox since camps often have limited or no access to electronic devices. This encourages kids to engage in face-to-face interactions and do more reading, writing, drawing and creative activities during downtime.
Leadership and Teamwork. Camps provide opportunities for children to take on leadership roles and learn the value of working as part of a team. New strengths and roles may emerge when they become part of a new group with other campers who’ve also just met each other. They may even decide to come back as a camp counselor when they’re old enough!
Cognitive Growth and Development. A recent Harvard article highlights the specific benefits to children’s brains during sleepaway camp experiences. Their findings suggest that increased physical activity, time spent in nature, and decreased screen time result in anatomical changes in the brain, creating significant positive impact on overall cognitive health.
We’d be remiss if we failed to acknowledge the expense associated with camps, so be sure to also research scholarships and discounts available to campers with parent volunteers. Whether your family is gearing up for another summer of sleepaway camp, anxiously preparing for your first one, or evaluating your options for the coming years, we hope these benefits serve as positive reminders of the growth that’s in store for your kiddo as you pack their trunk this summer!