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Odds are you're reading this article because you've explored, to some degree the idea of a residential summer camp. Whether you're a veteran at packing the kids off to summer for camp or a newbie to the whole process, there are a few thoughts that cross your mind.
Initially you noticed the shear volume of camps available. Many of those camps appear to have similar programs. Since they are similar, where are you to spend your money, because they can be pricey? Ultimately, since you are spending a fair amount of money, shouldn't there be an element of education to the camp?
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.
There are camps that offer a program that will please you as well as your children. Ideally, it will please you unbeknownst to the children for they'll be having such a great time they wont even know it was good for them!
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.
Try to locate camps referencing behavior requiring people to connect both in a one-to-one manner and in group settings. Industry terms used will be: leadership-skills, discussions, community. These terms are an indication the camp has at minimum considered the benefits to such activities.
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.
For an example of experiential education applied, we'll look to the rafting camp model. Given the camp is offering experiential education here are the experiences they'll emphasize and reinforce: teamwork is exercised and applied 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 learning to swim in moving water. These skills encompass the physical, the mental and the verbal. All of these are employed simply during the one activity of rafting.
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.
While camp is meant to be fun, if you look for the buzz words we mention above, read the guidelines in the previous article linked here for reading between the lines to find the right program, you can have your child in an environment wherein they're learning AND having fun. Both worlds are completely attainable, if you just put a little time in online. Hey, reading this article is an excellent first step. Happy camping!
Initially you noticed the shear volume of camps available. Many of those camps appear to have similar programs. Since they are similar, where are you to spend your money, because they can be pricey? Ultimately, since you are spending a fair amount of money, shouldn't there be an element of education to the camp?
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.
There are camps that offer a program that will please you as well as your children. Ideally, it will please you unbeknownst to the children for they'll be having such a great time they wont even know it was good for them!
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.
Try to locate camps referencing behavior requiring people to connect both in a one-to-one manner and in group settings. Industry terms used will be: leadership-skills, discussions, community. These terms are an indication the camp has at minimum considered the benefits to such activities.
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.
For an example of experiential education applied, we'll look to the rafting camp model. Given the camp is offering experiential education here are the experiences they'll emphasize and reinforce: teamwork is exercised and applied 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 learning to swim in moving water. These skills encompass the physical, the mental and the verbal. All of these are employed simply during the one activity of rafting.
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.
While camp is meant to be fun, if you look for the buzz words we mention above, read the guidelines in the previous article linked here for reading between the lines to find the right program, you can have your child in an environment wherein they're learning AND having fun. Both worlds are completely attainable, if you just put a little time in online. Hey, reading this article is an excellent first step. Happy camping!
About the Author:
For two decades, Action Whitewater has provided professional rafting trips: always a leader in youth trips. Adventure summer camps are the organic expansion of this focus as they strive to provide the most comprehensive youth programs on the river. For information, video and photos of what you can expect at an adventure camp, check us out!
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