by Robyn Hochglaube
For so many young Canadians, spending their summer holidays at camp has become the “thing to do”. It’s a right of passage!
Often parents register their kids for camp because that’s what we do when summer is here! Seldom do we step back and really dig into the importance of what we are doing for our children, and even more seldom, do we recognize ourselves as being great parents for making this investment.
Well let me be the first to pat you on the back and tell you that the choice you have made, in sending your child(ren) to camp, is a very important one, and a great parenting decision!
Camp can play a crucial role in a child’s development. All camps are different, so you should do your research to find the right one. When you find the right one and the fit is there, your child’s confidence and level of independence will soar. Camp does that.
In a general camp setting such as Adventure Valley, campers are able to explore new activities, such as Fencing, Archery, Ceramics, Folk Singing etc. They are able expand their social network (and we all know how important networking can be later in life!) and engage with nature (something that is too quickly becoming a rare experience). In these welcoming and engaging communities a connection to oneself and to the natural environment blossoms intrinsically. Growth takes place without anyone seeing it or willing it happen. It comes about from the culture of the summer camp that allows children to see themselves as important members, with value to add, and experiences to be shared.
Just recently, in chatting with an old friend about his daughter’s camp experience, he shared with me that she came home every day from camp saying “it was fun”. “What was fun?” He would ask, and she would reply, sincerely, “Camp was fun!” He was bewildered that his daughter, age 6, could not identify one particular thing about camp that made it fun. Camp, to her, was fun. Period.
I explained to him that his story is familiar, and telling. I see it and hear it everyday at Adventure Valley. What his daughter was telling him is that she was being given the opportunity to explore freely and safely her environment. She was able to connect with people in a way she cannot do when inside the four concrete walls of a classroom. She could test her skills and fears knowing she would be supported. She also had the opportunity to run and play in open fields, with energetic and caring teenagers who loved running and being fun and crazy beside her.
Yeah, that is fun!
And these moments are what help our children define themselves, build their character, grow intellectually, and learn from themselves and those around them.
So, yes camp is a fun place, but it is also an important developmental opportunity.
Robyn Hochglaube is the Owner/Director of Adventure Valley Day Camp. Adventure Valley is known as Toronto’s premier private camp, offering superior supervision ratios and incredible camp programming. Nestled on a 20 acre property in Thornhill, Adventure Valley is a summer home to hundreds of campers each summer. Check out Adventure Valley at www.adventurevalley.com, www.facebook.com/adventurevalley, or @adventurevalley
