10 Reasons to Send Your Kid to Summer Camp

At Highlands, we believe in the power of Summer Camp. Many adults will fondly remember childhoods spent playing outside, inventing new games with made up rules, and staying out until the sun went down. Most will also recognize these behaviors as a thing of the past. Today, childhood is defined by jam-packed schedules and screen time. As families feel the stress of busy schedules and technology, parents are seeking ways that their children can take a break from it all and “just be kids” again. Summer Camp provides the unique opportunity for kids to escape the hustle, enjoy rest and rejuvenation, and have a lifechanging experience. Here are 10 Reasons to Send Your Kid to Summer Camp.

1. Disconnect from Technology. According to a recent article published by CNBC, 91% of American youth will own a smartphone by age 14. As discussed by Jonathan Haidt in his best-selling book, The Anxious Generation, most youth feel trapped by this technology. Young people are recognizing the devastating effects that technology and social media are having on their interpersonal relationships, and they want a way out. A week-long summer camp experience provides an opportunity to disconnect from technology, and there will be plenty of genuine, human connection to fill that void! Campers will find that spending time with others in real life is way more fun than hanging out on Instagram.
2. Take a Break from Busy Schedules. Child development experts warn against the overscheduled lives that kids lead. Studies show that the more extracurricular activities a child participates in, the more likely they are to struggle with anxiety and depression. Summer Camp, especially residential summer camp, provides the unique opportunity for kids to escape the hustle and enjoy rest and rejuvenation. While our camps are planned to include plenty of fun activities, we take things at “camp-speed.” There’s no need to rush from one activity to the next – the rocks and trees aren’t going anywhere. We plan our days with plenty of breaks for free time, play, and exploration. And we’re always sure to schedule a mid-day siesta for campers to lay down, take a nap, play a quiet game, read a book, journal, or just enjoy the peaceful silence.
3. Time for Free Play. Free play, also known as unstructured or child-led play, holds physical, social, cognitive, emotional, and behavioral benefits. Engaging in free play encourages children to be active, negotiate social situations, solve problems, make decisions, and build friendships. Campers will quickly invent games and find creative uses for natural materials. Sticks will become magic wands, rocks will become precious trading commodities, and primitive shelters will be built.
4. Time in Nature. Studies show that spending time in nature lowers stress and anxiety. Not only will campers spend a week in the mountains, but they will also learn firsthand about the incredible plants and animals who call this habitat home. They’ll wake up to birds chirping, rub “sunscreen” off an Aspen tree, and maybe even spot a moose rambling across camp. Seeing the wonders of nature up close and personal will elicit a sense of awe. Even the air smells fresher up here.
5. Building Friendships. You know what they say, “there’s no friends like camp friends.” Something special happens when a group of strangers meet in nature. It doesn’t take long to build friendships that transcend school, grade, and hometown. Campers get the unique opportunity of meeting friends who they never would have met back home.
6. Step Outside your Comfort Zone. All activities at camp are “challenge by choice,” which means that campers are encouraged to try new things – but only at their discretion. All campers will have the opportunity to try activities like rock climbing, archery, canoeing, challenge course, and hiking. While some of these things may feel scary at first, your camper will be supported and safely supervised. Through encouragement of others, most campers will be pleasantly surprised by how much they’re able to try – and master.
7. Adventure. The human spirit in all of us longs for a sense of adventure – to try new things; to do something hard and succeed; to have a story to tell. Encouraging kids to embrace adventure can foster a lifelong passion for exploration, discovery, and learning. Summer camp is sure to be an adventure that campers never forget.
8. Foster Independence. Summer camp gives youth the opportunity to operate outside of their parents’ supervision, which fosters independent thought and actions. When away from parents, campers must take extra time to consider making good decisions. Independent decision-making helps kids become more confident in themselves and will help them become more capable decision makers.
9. Be Part of Something Bigger than Yourself. A feeling of belonging is an abstract, yet absolutely necessary social condition. Young and old alike need to feel seen, known, and accepted. At summer camp, kids will belong to a community. From drop off to pick up a week later, they will spend their days with the same group, led by the same counselors. Our camp counselors are expertly trained to foster a sense of community and belonging within their group. Activities, games, meals, and downtime are all shared together. This amount of quality time allows for campers to truly become known by their group, allowing campers to feel that they are part of something bigger than themselves.
10. Fun. We had to save the best for last! What is summer camp if not fun? On top of all the other amazing reasons to send your kid to camp, fun cannot be left out. Yes, your child will disconnect from technology, connect with nature, slow down, build friendships, and develop new skills, but most importantly, they’ll have fun doing all of these things. And that is not something to be taken lightly. More than anything, childhood is meant to be enjoyed. Soon enough, children will grow up, take on responsibilities, and navigate “the real world.” For now, let them savor their youth and HAVE SOME FUN!

Summer Camp is a quintessential American tradition, with so many positive outcomes for children and teens alike. Camp gives children an experience unlike any other. It is a great chance for youth to develop life skills that will stay with them long after camp is over. Consider registering your child in Highlands Summer Camp, you won’t regret it!

Learn more on our website. Register for Summer Camp here.