Life Lessons Learned at Camp

February 24, 2023 noon

Summer is just around the corner, and it’s time to start registering kids for camp. Whether you choose to send your child to day camp or an overnight camp, you can be sure it will be a fun and memorable experience for your child. Camp can help your children step out of their comfort zone, experience something new, learn or develop new skills and spend time outside (and off screens) this summer. Many parents and kids will tell you they learned valuable life lessons while at summer camp.

Independence

“I love summer camp because it teaches them independence,” says Jayne Holmes, Olathe mom of four. Away from parents, whether it’s for hours or days, kids are expected to be responsible for themselves, which includes everything from keeping track of their belongings to remembering to shower. With counselors and peers alongside to guide and encourage them, they learn to be independent in a way that is different from any other setting.

Diversity

When kids attend camp, they are exposed to a variety of people with different backgrounds, abilities, gifts and challenges. Camp forces kids to step out of their inner circle and meet kids they would not have come in contact with otherwise. This helps youngsters understand the world outside their neighborhood and prepares them for high school and college where the school population is larger. Kids begin to understand that despite differences, people with all different backgrounds can have similar interests and values. It also helps build empathy, understanding, and teaches them how to be a good friend to others.

Tip: Use KC Parent's Camp Guide to find the best camp for your child.

Confidence

Camp doesn’t just expose kids to diversity when it comes to people, but it also gives kids the opportunity to try something new. Being introduced to new activities and interests at camp can give kids the confidence they need to step out of their comfort zone and try new things in the future. Amy Cameron, Olathe mom of three, says, “They have come home with a new sense of grit and responsibility as well as new interests such as astronomy, horseback riding and canoeing. They’ve also developed a love for the outdoors and found that technology isn’t always necessary for entertainment.”

Relationships

Relationships are the most important thing in life. At camp, kids develop deep relationships quickly because of the teamwork, camaraderie and quality time that camp provides. These relationships are often valuable and long-lasting. As kids grow and natural distance grows between their camp friends, the memories are always there and the value and ability to build strong friendships remains a lifelong skill.

“My kids, my husband, his father and many other family members have all attended the same camp when they were kids, and it had a lasting impact on them,” says Cameron. “So much so that we took my father-in-law’s ashes there over the summer. It is where he would want to be.” Kids carry the great memories, valuable life lessons and the relationships built at camp with them through their lives.

Choosing the Right Camp for Your Child

Choosing the right summer camp for your child is key to a positive experience that makes them want to return year after year. Here are some things to consider when choosing a camp for your child.

Cost – Camp costs can add up, especially if your child is going to overnight camps and will need to purchase items to bring. Day camps are often a more affordable option for campers. It’s wise to budget and plan so that you can do fundraising, apply for scholarships and save.
Maturity – Consider your child’s level of maturity when deciding whether they are ready for sleep away camp or would do better with a half-day camp down the road. Talk to your child about what they are comfortable with.
Relationships – A child will be more comfortable going to camp if they know a friend or sibling will be there. Will your child have other friends attending camp? Do they know the adults and teens who are supervising? Are they comfortable with the location of the camp? It is always fun to make new friends, but a familiar face can greatly ease worries.
Personality – Is your child an extrovert who would thrive attending camp with a large group of people, or is your child an introvert who would struggle in that situation? Does your child need a structured camp environment, or would they do better with more free time? Encouraging kids to step out of their comfort zone is a great way to grow, but finding the right camp for your child is important.
Interests – When choosing a camp, consider your child’s interests. A child who loves being active in sports may not enjoy a camp where they are learning how to write code or vice versa.