10 Reasons Your Child Should Experience Summer Camp
I remember heading to Girl Scout camp when I was a kid. I have great memories of summer camp, including those of nature, making new friends and enjoying new experiences. This past year, my parents found a great elementary age summer camp to send Brian, Dallen and Sam to and they were super excited! It was a great experience for all of them! This summer, 5 of our kids will be able to go to the same camp (Camp Ocean Pines in Cambria, California), but for a few more days (including a trip to Big Sur), and our oldest will go on a teen trip to Santa Cruz.
I must admit that I was a little nervous at first because the boys had never attended this camp before or been away on a trip for that long without one of us parents being there. However, as soon as I entered the campground, I knew they would be safe and in good hands. Not to mention the fact that they were so excited to explore and get settled in. It didn’t take long for them to start making new friends.
When we arrived, we were directed to a parking lot and given directions on where to go to check in. We headed to the main lodge to check in and the boys were given their camp shirts and told what cabin they were in and who their counselor was. They couldn’t wait to head up to the cabins. It was a little bit of a hike up to the cabin, but I think us grownups were the only ones who noticed – ha ha!
As soon as we entered the cabin area, the boys headed to their assigned cabins. I was really impressed by the fact that the counselors were waiting to greet them when they walked through the door of the cabin. Each cabin had children of the same gender and around the same age, so that was cool too.
Being a blogger, I love to share about our family‘s experiences. I loved that Camp Ocean Pines kept us up-to-date on a daily basis and even shared pictures of our kids during their camp experience (updating them every night for us to see and share). I literally felt like I was there with them…and it looked like they were constantly experiencing unforgettable adventures! I think summer camp is great and wanted to share 10 Reasons Your Child Should Experience Summer Camp.
10 Reasons Your Child Should Experience Summer Camp
1 – Make New Friends. Our boys loved summer camp and one of the things they really loved were the friendships they made. In fact, my oldest still texts with a few of the boys from his cabin. The younger ones didn’t really keep in contact via text, but they enjoyed hanging out with the kids at camp. It’s definitely a great way to make lifelong friends!
2 – Learn New Skills. At Camp Ocean Pines, the boys got to do so many different activities! At summer camp, the boys were able to learn and participate in a variety of target sports, including archery, tomahawks and slingshots.
3 – Get Creative. I remember going to Girl Scout Camp when I was younger and all of the activities we did. It involved a lot of fun crafts and creations. I was excited to see that our kids were getting some of those same types of experiences at summer camp! They got to make tie-dye shirts, friendship bracelets, bottle rockets and more. They even learned how to throw their first pizzas!
4 – Enjoy Nature. One of the best things about summer camp is enjoying nature and the good old outdoors! At summer camp, the boys got to go to the beach and learn about sea life. They even got to hold a live snake! Dallen was very excited to talk about his experience holding the snake!
5 – Build Confidence. At Camp Ocean Pines, they had a number of activities that helped kids build their confidence, as well as have fun at the same time! One of those was the giant rope swing. I know I would have been nervous to do it and was so proud to see pictures of the boys doing it!
6 – Be Yourself. In every day life, our kids have so many expectations for them. They have to do well in school, whether they’re attending a a private school, a public school, or catholic school. There are constant expectations (which is much like life for everyone), however, at camp, they get a chance to be themselves. They even get to choose which activities they want to do on each of the days they are at camp!
7 – Develop Team Building Skills. I love that Camp Ocean Pines had a lot of team building activities. They had an obstacle course, complete with a wall in which they helped one another get through. I really enjoyed seeing the pictures of the kids helping one another! I think that even them staying in the cabins with other kids helped them develop team building skills. Their cabin friends and counselor became like family for the week.
8 – Escape Technology. In this day and age, our kids (and us as adults) are constantly surrounded by technology. From our phones to our computers to even our vehicles, there is technology everywhere. At camp, the kids did not bring their cell phones or handheld video games. I was worried they would get bored, but there were so many activities for them to do and they had tons of fun without the use of electronics!!! They loved hanging out in the hammocks and climbing the rock wall!
9 – Learn Independence. I have to admit that I was a little nervous about leaving the boys somewhere other than home for more than an overnight stay. They were away from me and I wanted to make sure they were going to be. While our kids took to being on their own pretty easily, for others, it helped them to learn independence and how to be away from mom and dad. Some of the campers even consoled one another when they were sad and missing their families. I definitely give kudos to all of the camp staff and counselors for helping the kids to feel comfortable and at home while away from home!
10 – Get a Break from Mom and Dad. This one is kind of hard for me to say (only because I’m an adult), but I remember being a kid and this was one of the perks of summer camp! Kids love going and being with other kids their age. It’s even better when it’s camping in a nice cabin, making new friends, eating good food and being kept busy with fun activities that create lifelong memories! Summer Camp is definitely an experience every kid should have – and even better if they can experience it over and over again! I’m really glad my parents discovered Camp Ocean Pines and can’t wait to share this upcoming Summer’s experiences with you!
A big thanks to Camp Ocean Pines for the use of the majority of these pictures from our kids’ camp experiences!
Do your kids go to summer camp?
Did you go to summer camp when you were a kid?
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I went to summer camp one time and it was through Girl Scouts. I remember having a great time. I couldnt afford to send my daughter she got sponsored one year. Summer camps are a great expeiennce.
Summer camp is something every child should experience. Not only is it a wonderful way to explore, it’s also a great way to instill a little extra independence.
My kids did 4H summer camp three years in a row. I was also a leader. We had the best time EVER! My son of course was not in our group since he was with the boys, but my daughter was in my group. It was a wonderful experience each and every year for everyone!
How great of them to send pictures and updates of your kids! I had never attended a summer camp, but this place looks like a great one that your children really enjoyed.
Yeah, I can’t send my kids to a sleepaway camp. I am too much of a helicopter mom for that…but day camps totally!
oh I had the best time at camp when I was a kid – I agree that it’s almost a right of passage and every kid should do it 😉 Hope your kiddos had a great time!
Summer camp is an awesome experience! I went when I was a kid, and I’ve never forgotten it.
Summer camp is one of those thing that can change a kid’s life forever. Often times it’s an adventure that will stay at the front of their minds for years.
Great list. Aside from being fun, kids can learn so much from summer camps.
I did summer camp as a child and it taught me soooo much!
Camp provides children with a community of caring mentors who provide experiential education that leads to self-respect and appreciation for life.
I LOVED summer camp as a child! Not only was it really fun, but I learned wilderness skills while I was there. My husband never got the opportunity to go, and it’s something we’ve discussed at length. Our son will be going when he’s old enough.
Wow, it looks like they had a lot of fun! So many things to do and see! I almost want to go to camp now! haha!
Looks like so much fun for the kids! I’ve always been nervous about putting my kids in summer camp and I also love spending time with them during summer.
You tooks some amazing photos of the kids at camp it almost felt like I was there. I went to camp once many years ago and remember the fun I had so I highly recommend parents do this for their kids as well.
Summer camp sure sounds like a lot of fun! Also, great break for the parents haha!
I think summer camp is an awesome idea. Kids make so many friends and they learn so much. I did some camps over the summer when I was little and I loved it.
This camp sounds like so much fun. I remember my days of going to camp and I also loved it. The memories will last a lifetime.
This does sound like a lot of fun! I just can’t stand being away from my daughter that long!
I didn’t necessarily have the best time at summer camp–I was picked on a lot as a kid–but I’m still really glad I had those experiences. I learned a lot about myself when I went away to camp, and it did help me with some social skills when I was far too shy and out of my element.
I love this! I think summer camp is a great experience for kiddos too. No matter what kind of camp it is, if it’s something they love to do, it’ll be something they remember forever!
I definitely have to agree with these points. My kids went to a couple of different types of summer camps!
Summer camp always sounded so exciting to me, we used to do things in the day here, but nothing quite like a camp.
My daughter went to several summer camps as a kid. She always had some great experiences.
I totally agree. I remember doing so much learning and experiencing life during summer camps as a kid. I want my kids to get the same benefits. I like camps that have a no electronics policy as well. Let them enjoy a summer like I had when i was a kid no cell phone or ipads just fun outdoor activities.
Summer camp is such a great experience for kids!! Just looking at your pictures, I would like to go to Summer camp! I wish I could afford to send my three kids!
I absolutely love the years I went to camp during the summer. I would only go for a week at a time but it was the highlight of my year.
That is the ULTIMATE of summer Camps! They seem to have it all. I never went to summer camps, I was too shy and didn’t want to leave my mother hehe. BUT my daughter did! And it did so good for her to experience it!
My kids LOVE summer camp. I can imagine they would cry if they had to miss it.
Yes to summer camps! I always went to summer camp when I was little and then even went back to help out. It was such a great learning experience.
I never wanted to miss camp every year. It was a huge lifechanger for me.
I completely agree! Kids spend some much time playing video games, computers, etc… that they need some time to learn new skills and socialize! It looks like they had a great time!
They looked like they had a great time! I attended summer camp a couple times and it was fun. My kids have been terrified of the prospects of going, so I haven’t pushed the idea.
I definitely agree on those list above. I myself learn things about summer camp. Making new friends and being able to socialize with other people is what we learn from this. Also being somehow independent too.
I never went to summer camps when I was young (they look fun!)I was in sports all year round… Now that I have kids, I’ll have to take this into consideration : ) love all the benefits of the camp life!
Summer camp is very interesting. Kids should undergo this kind of camp. They will have fun and make friends more.
Love this list! My kids love summer camps! They enjoy meeting new friends and learning new things. They always say it’s a great experience for them. 🙂
This looks like an awesome camp! My husband and I were just talking about our kids summer plans and what we will be doing. I think looking into some summer camps is a great idea!
My kids go to camp every summer. My daughter just started going last year but just loved it.
Summer camps have always seemed like they are a lot of fun! I wish I could have experienced one when I was a kid.
It is definitely a great post! Kids must experience a summer camp or a camp. For them to have more confidence to their personality and make more friends also.
I agree, summer camps are necessary for the overall growth of a kid.
I wish we had more of these in South Africa! Unfortunately only very few private schools do it here and it is super expensive. 🙁
I believe that it is a good idea letting the kids join the summer camp. They will only be young once. So, it is one great way for them to enjoy the youth to its fullest. I agree with all the points you mentioned in here. By the way, you have lovely kids, I must say.
I never went to summer camp as a kid. I was always so jealous of those that did. I thought they had so much fun and wanted to experience it myself. My kids have only gone once, but have done some “day camps” too.
I loved summer camp when I was a kid and My kids love going every year in the Summer for a week. They come home with great memories and meeting new people!