by Miss Deena                                                                                 5/15/15 Studies have shown the many benefits of the summer camp experience.  Whether your child attends a day camp, a travel camp, sleep-away camp, or any organized summertime program, you are probably already well-aware of the positive gains your child garners from these programs.   Some of the benefits of camp are skills development in all areas:  social, mental, and physical.  Children thrive in camp settings because they get to learn WHILE having an amazing time.  Often, children make new friends in the summer, building their self-confidence and their self-esteem.   Camp fosters a feeling of community and belonging. Children look forward to renewing their summer friendships year after year.  They enjoy the familiarity of the campgrounds, their recognition of the camp staff, and the laid-back vibe that the camp experience provides.   Some of the many benefits include the following:   Campers spend their days being physically active and enjoying the outdoors.  They swim, play sports, do fun activities, and spend their entire day with friends….. THAT ROCKS!   Camp provides diverse activities that help teach children how to succeed in athletic and social situations.   Counselors are trained to nurture and support your kids.  Camp allows children to feel safe trying new things….. THAT ROCKS!   Camp is the time for kids to unplug from the electronics.  They get their creative juices flowing again and re-connect with the non-virtual world…. THAT ROCKS!   Camp provides decompression from the day-to-day, highly structured school environment.  There are no exams, no test prep, and no studying at camp…. THAT ROCKS!   Camp gives kids the opportunity to experience camaraderie, cooperation, teamwork, and sportsmanship.  These are all skills that kids will use forever….. THAT ROCKS!   Bottom line?  CAMP ROCKS because your children will reap benefits that will last them a lifetime… all the while they think they are just “having fun”.