Should parents choose a camp that focuses on teaching hard skills (tennis, dance, gymnastics, and leadership) that will help our children become high achievers? Or should camp be the place for a child to learn independence, self-confidence and a love of nature in a rustic setting unlike home. Short session camps tend to be single focus and teach hard skills. Traditional sleep away camps with longer sessions offer the opportunity to be part of a caring community that offers friendship and teamwork along with diverse outdoor activities. No matter whether you choose a one week specialty camp or a longer session traditional camp, be sure you understand the different experience that is offered. Mary Beth McCauley has a wonderful article in the Christian Science Monitor that really conveys the true benefits of the sleep away camp experience.

“Sure, there are other places where young people can learn the stout virtues of confidence, teamwork, and resilience; of independence and friendship; of love of nature. But few disguise the lessons quite the way summer camp does – as pure fun”……

“Real” camp, its advocates say, may at some time involve the perfection of a plié or a jump shot, but that’s not the point. The point is the change in a child who hunkers down for a week’s worth of rainy nights outdoors, followed by singing for the entire dining hall despite paralyzing stage fright, all the while making his bed unreminded and growing to appreciate bugs, if not bug juice.”

https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Society/2010/0616/Summer-camp-Sunset-for-an-American-tradition

Read the full article to understand the differences in specialty camps and traditional camps. Think about how your child can get the most benefit from summer time. I will be happy to chat with you about which type of camp is the best fit for your child.