Summer camp seems the perfect summertime solution for elementary-age kids so they don’t sit around the house bored and so they can make friends and learn new things while having fun. As our children grow out of their “little kid years,” we sometimes forget they still need those kinds of experiences they had when they were younger, just in a different form. Maybe the thought hasn’t crossed your mind that your teen might need to find
a fun summer camp. Your teen should be babysitting, mowing lawns, working at the pool, making TikTok videos, hanging around with friends, right? Well, sure! But why not send teens off for a week or more of summer fun and learning this year for a break? Here are some great benefits for teens attending summer camp:
Learning how to give back. Community service camps offer a great chance for teens to make a difference and help out in the community, while also learning lifelong skills. Kids get to spend their days helping others, which just feels good to everyone involved. Maybe your teen will learn how to pack food for the homeless, teach kids how to read or work on a project that will benefit the community, like cleaning up a playground or fixing equipment. Teens even could learn how to paint a house, care for the yard of an elderly person who is unable to do so anymore … or they may even learn how to plan and build a house for someone in need.
Deepening faith. If your teen enjoys church youth groups and activities, a church or other organized religious camp might be just the ticket. The day might begin with a church service, followed by breakfast, then a hike and some time spent in the cabin with friends memorizing Bible verses for a competition at the end of the week. Later there could be singing songs around a bonfire while roasting s’mores.
Working as a team. Your child will be meeting kids of different ages and who are from different backgrounds. Learning how to get along and work as a team is a huge life skill that will be reinforced at camp. Some camps even have kids do team-building and trust activities to help them get to know each other.
Standing on their own. Let’s face it. As our kids get older, they start to grow away from us. They are simply preparing to head out on their own and they are also preparing you for that transition by perhaps being a little distant. They are stuck in between childhood and adulthood, and it’s a confusing time. Going away to camp for even a short period of time helps teach independence. A daily structure at camp is already in place, which teens need to follow. Because parents aren’t the ones doing the nagging, teens don’t tune out, but rather respect other adults and learn from them.
Appreciating everything. Away from screens, a person finds it easier to focus on nature, learning, forming relationships and more. Being away from parents, kids will come home with a new appreciation for what it takes to be in a family and help out in the running of the household. Your teen will probably also appreciate funny things like a full pantry that’s open all day, a comfy bed and privacy!
Teen summer camp has so many benefits that cover all the bases, including physical, social, mental and spiritual. As for the rest of the summer? Well, your teen can spend plenty of time doing those odd jobs to help pay for camp next year!
By Kerrie McLoughlin
Active Kids Zone
Rock ‘n’ Kids
Get on your feet! Rock ‘n’ Kids provides music, movement and imagination classes for 1-5 years at park districts in Chicagoland! Tot Rock and Kid Rock are interactive and educational, with each class including songs and rhymes, basic dance steps and movements, fine and gross motor skills, rhythm instruments and movement props, imaginative play, socialization and fun! We are also available for mobile music and dance parties! We have been singing, dancing, and playing for over 28 years! Get more information at www.rockitkids.com. LEARN MORE
Sports Performance Volleyball
The Great Lakes Center offers youth volleyball programs ages 3 years old to 12th grade. Looking for world class training? Join us this summer for our Sports Performance Summer Camps offering skill camps from beginners to elite level players for both boys and girls. Week long camps offered in a variety of skills from 1st Contact, Setting, Attack/Block/Pass/Serve, Middle Blocker, All Skills, Fundamentals and more! Sign-up today! www.greatlakescenter.com LEARN MORE
Big Blue Swim School
Big Blue Swim School is coming to Glendale Heights! They will offer weekly, year-round 30 to 45-minute swim lessons for children beginning at just three months old, seven days a week. Big Blue sets itself apart from other swim schools with 90-degree, ultra-clean water, a comfortable viewing area to watch swimmers; plenty of private changing rooms, fall-proof, anti-microbial flooring throughout the facility and free Wi-Fi. Located at 145 W Army Trail Rd Glendale Heights, IL 60139 https://bigblueswimschool.com/locations/illinois/glendale-heights LEARN MORE
Comments are closed.