With summer just around the corner, many families in the metro are in the process of choosing a summer camp. Camp can be an exciting and rewarding part of childhood that builds lifelong skills and memories. “I still have great memories of my time at dance camp,” Rachel Hawks, Olathe mom, says. “I am excited for my daughter to start that same journey.”
If you or your child has never had a camp experience, there are a lot of reasons to give it a try. Metro parents weigh in on what they think is the best part of summer camp:
Kids are active. When they spend time at camp, children are on the go. While many camps provide both structured activities and free-play time, children are engaged and moving for the majority of the day. “At camp, I know my kids are getting some great exercise, spending their days engaged with friends and activities. I don’t worry about them spending hours and hours in front of the TV or on the iPad,” says Susan Hein, Kansas City, KS, mom.
Learning helps children develop confidence. No matter what type of camp children attend, there are new things to learn every day. Children are exposed to new people and ideas and take on responsibilities they don’t necessarily own at home. “At home, I make sure my kids do their nightly routines of teeth brushing and face washing. At camp, my son had to do it himself and he was so proud,” Terri Haugh, Liberty mom, says. “It seemed like he grew up a bit while he was there, and it was only a week!”
Building friendships is a bonus. Children who camp together spend a lot of time together. “I remember my days at camp. You wake up with the same people, spend the day together, go to bed at the same time. You really get to know people,” says Bethany Michaels, Kansas City, KS, mom. At camp, kids have the opportunity to meet people outside of their school and neighborhood friends and get to know children their age who have common interests. “I love cheer camp! My friends at school aren’t as into cheer, so it is great in the summer to get to spend time with other girls who like to cheer,” says 11-year-old Allie Davis, Olathe camper.
Kids gain social skills and independence. Camp can be a great way to encourage children to come out of their shells. It gives them some independence in a safe and nurturing environment and allows them to grow and meet new people. “I think spending time with kids who have common interests made my daughter feel safe, and that allowed her to be more outgoing than she is at school. She has a bunch of camp friends she looks forward to seeing each summer,” says Jessica Scott, Overland Park mom.
Camp breaks their routine. Summer days can be long for the entire family when each day looks the same as the last. Camp is one way to break up the routine and give kids a chance to explore a new environment. “My kids look forward to their week at camp all summer. It is great to have a break from school, but the days do get long without as many activities,” Macy Williams, Shawnee mom, says. “It is nice for them to have free playtime and then also break it up a bit with the fun and education they get at camp.”
Camp Resources
Is your family interested in exploring camp options for your children?
- The American Camp Association serves more than 5 million campers nationwide. To learn more about this organization, their resources and their registered camps, visit ACACamps.org.
- Another place to find resources and options for camp is KidsCamp.com.
- When you start exploring camp options for your child, first understand your child’s interests. There are camps that focus on academics, such as engineering and mathematics, athletic camps and skill-building camps. Talk to your child about what the best options are for your family.
- Is your child not yet ready for sleep-away camp? Not a problem! Kansas City has a wealth of day camps and camps that offer a few hours of recreation.
Melissa Bellach is a freelance writer and mother of two living in Overland Park.