Summer camp is an amazing opportunity for children to gain new experiences, learn a new skill set and make lifelong friends. You might be surprised to know that choosing an outdoor summer camp has even more physical and emotional benefits for your child. We’ve compiled a list of just a few of the many positive effects of spending the summer in the great outdoors.
Reduces stress
A 2019 study in Frontiers of Psychology found that as little as 20 minutes outside can significantly lower stress hormones. Now, imagine the benefits of spending an entire week outdoors at camp. The fresh air is a great way to recharge and leave behind the day-to-day chaos of school, social media, traffic and other stressors. It’s hard to be stressed in such a peaceful setting.
Multiple health benefits
Being outside increases your exposure to and absorption of vitamin D through the sun. Vitamin D is a nutrient that gives your body energy, increases restful sleep, promotes bone growth and improves your mood. Exposure to the outdoors is also proven to lower your blood pressure, increase energy levels, boost your immune system and help your ability to focus.
Screen-free days
My favorite thing about nature is it’s completely unplugged. The modern world can be overstimulating. In nature, there are no ipads, cell phones, Wi-Fi or televisions to distract and overstimulate us, which gives an immediate calming feeling. The escape from social media will especially give campers’ mental health a boost. Your kids will be able to focus and be present in the moment and make memories while escaping their typical screen-filled days full of Snapchat and TikTok.
Improved sleep
Camping also improves sleep quality. The sun exposure and fresh air help reset your internal clock to a natural sleep cycle. Camping will also keep your kids moving from sunrise to sunset, leaving their body ready for a restful night’s sleep. Not to mention, who doesn’t sleep well with the sound of crickets and a nearby fire crackling under the starry night sky?
Fosters creativity
Being outside allows our minds to foster creativity in new ways. The peaceful setting in nature can be inspiring and allow children to spark new ideas and have more time for solitude and reflection.
Gain independence
Sending your children to an outdoor camp, especially an overnight camp, can help them gain their independence. They won’t rely on you to help them with small tasks or ask for your guidance to help them solve problems. You won’t be there to nag them about making their beds or brushing their teeth. They will be standing on their own.
Healthier eating
One major benefit to selecting an outdoor camp is your child will be eating healthier. There are no fast food restaurants in the wilderness, which means your kids will be eating food that is good for them. More than likely, they will be exposed to new foods they’ve never tried, and they might even learn how to cook and prepare these new, healthier meals to try at home.
Encourages exploration
Outdoor camping is an ideal time for children to explore new interests and hobbies. Each day is an adventure with an opportunity to try something new that isn’t available to them at home. They can try canoeing, hiking, fishing, zip lining, water skiing, rafting and rock climbing. The possibilities are abundant.
Appreciation of nature
Spending time in nature allows you to feel grounded and connected to Mother Nature. It also helps you appreciate what nature has to offer. The beautiful blue sky, the starry sky, the quiet of the night and the peaceful sound of water in a stream are things we can easily take for granted in our day-to-day lives.
Growth of social skills
Camping is a great place to grow your child’s social skills. Kids will learn how to build relationships with kids from different backgrounds. They will engage in bonding and trust building activities, as well as learn to solve problems on their own or as a team. They will have conversations face to face around the campfire, instead of via social media, which will teach them how to strengthen their relationships. The friendships they make at camp could last a lifetime.
Increased physical activity
Camping outdoors will increase your children’s physical activity. They will spend their days moving their bodies through constant activities. They will walk, hike, run, bike, raft, climb and swim the days away, whereas at home they are more likely to be much less active. The best part is they will be having so much fun they won’t even notice all the physical activity they’re doing!
Risk taking abilities
Camp counselors will help your children engage in positive risk taking. For example, they might encourage them to take the risk of rock climbing despite their fear of heights or kayaking despite their fear of water. Children who learn to take safe risks become more confident, happy and aware that they can overcome any challenges they face.
Gain resiliency
Part of going away to an outdoor camp is facing challenges. Your children will build resiliency as they face those challenges. They will learn that everyone makes mistakes, and they will learn how to bounce back from their failures and any adversities that come their way. This is an important lesson that will follow them into adulthood.
Learn a new skill set
Camping outdoors will teach your children life skills they might not be able to learn at home. These important life skills include first aid, tying different kinds of knots, fishing, cooking, building a fire and other safety skills.
A 2019 study in Frontiers of Psychology found that as little as 20 minutes outside can significantly lower stress hormones.
Regan Lyons is a girl mom and freelance writer. She lives with her husband, Cale, and daughters, Atley, 9, and Ensley, 3, in St. Joseph.