Connecting With Nature Through The Summer Camp Experience

Summer camp can be likened to a school setting without the boundaries of walls. Camps allow children to play outside and commune with nature in a safe, yet free, environment. This is one of the main reasons camp advocates encourage parents to enroll their children in a summer camp at least once. The importance of communing with nature cannot be over-emphasized. Two important benefits include:

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Learning the importance of life: Children often forget – given that they grow up in communities devoid of trees – that they are part of a larger sphere. Summer camps gently remind them that each plant, bug, and animal is important. Children who learn to appreciate nature have been shown to be more tolerant adults. Additionally, extremely introverted children can learn to express themselves with animals or plants. The goal is not to change their personality but to give them the opportunity to find an avenue in which they can communicate effectively.

Learning the value of pain: It is inevitable that children will fall or get into an accident in a camp. Nature remains the same, regardless of the person. Children who connect with nature learn how not to let scrapes or small injuries defeat them. Research has also showed that children who develop a love of nature at an early age are more adventurous and less inclined to give up during times of adversity.

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The beauty of summer camp is that children can learn these lessons while still being guarded and looked after by adults. No child is left unintended in reputable camps. This means that children can learn and develop without fear of actual danger.

Help your son grow into a productive and happy adult by allowing him to experience adventure at Greenwoods Camp. Learn more about its program here.

Splash and Learn: Fun Water Activities at Summer Camp

Summer camps are popular among young boys and girls mostly for the assortment of activities and programs they offer to participants. Among the most popular activities are team sports such as soccer, basketball, and volleyball; creative arts classes such as photography, cooking, and painting; and outdoor sessions such as go-carting, horseback riding, and outdoor camping.

But if there is one type of activity that is extremely popular among campers, it is the waterfront kind. For many participants, the summer camp experience is not complete without participating in water activities. Apart from being a way to beat the sweltering summer heat, water activities teach campers about safety, personal responsibility, patience, perseverance, and other critical life skills. Some of the popular waterfront activities offered at summer camps include:

•  Canoeing 
• Fishing 
• Sailing 
• Swimming 
• Tubing 
• Wakeboarding 
• Waterskiing 
• Windsurfing
•  Kneeboarding 
• Paddleboarding 

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As in all camp activities, the safety of campers should be take primacy. During water activities, camp administrators, counselors, and staff should ensure that:

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• Campers wear the appropriate watersports gear or swimwear. Campers should also wear a life jacket all times when in the water. 

•  Only correct and properly functioning equipment should be used in water activities. 

• Certified lifeguards should monitor each aquatic activity. There must also be camp personnel present during the activity who is certified in standard first aid and age-appropriate CPR. Each waterfront activity area should also be stocked with a first-aid kit. 
• If severe weather approaches (thunder and lightning), all waterfront activities should be suspended, and all campers must leave the area immediately. 
• Campers and staff must follow all safety rules as posted at waterfront areas.  

Campers can choose from over 45 land and water activities at Greenwoods Camp For Boys. For a preview of a day at Greenwoods, click here.

Being One With Nature: Why Camping Needs to be Taught to the Young

A declining tradition in American culture is summer camping. Many families no longer see the necessity of these camps, claiming that they are more of an expense rather than a benefit. This leaves a large group of children not being able to experience summer camps. Many studies have been published on the myriad of health benefits summer camps have on individuals – particularly on children.

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A relatively new branch of development psychology is studying the brain and how it develops. This concept, known as neuroplasticity, shows that the brain creates and develops neural connections based on the experiences it goes through every day. This has an evolutionary benefit, as this implies that the brain develops in the best possible way for survival. So, it may be argued that a person’s brain is unique from everyone else’s as each person experiences different things daily.

There is a critical period for learning. This is generally agreed on as being around the age of 7 to 15. The experiences made during this time could potentially and directly impact how the child will develop as an adult. This is also the time where summer camping is highly encouraged. Camps place children outside of the classroom setting while still allowing them to interact and develop their social communication skills. Furthermore, it is important that children experience the joys of nature and learning life skills such as building a fire. Studies have also shown that a deep connection with nature has a substantial impact on a child’s personal development.

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Greenwoods Camp is a safe and fun place for boys to commune with nature and develop into vibrant, happy adults. Visit this website for more information on the camp’s programs.

Educational Playground: What Constitute an Excellent Camping Facility

A camping facility, especially the one that aims to introduce kids to a world that is totally far from their digital environment, should possess all the necessary qualities that will make it conducive to genuine learning and wellness. Camps are often located in remote areas where access to the pristine environment is just a few steps away but with amenities comfortable enough to be enjoyed by participants. Below are three fundamental requirements for a camp facility that will make it ideal for skills-building programs for children and young adults:

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Venue for athletics. Camps are supposed to bring out the active personality in their participants. They should not just be all about tents, bonfires, and marshmallows. Even in far-off areas, and the fact they offer wide spaces to build a facility, camps can be built with athletics venues where kids can play an array of sports such as basketball, swimming, tennis, and traditional field games like hide-and-seek. The facility must be enticing enough to encourage kids to start an active lifestyle.

Excellent care and safety. Even though camps are supposed to be a high-energy environment, they must still fulfill care obligations that kids need to be completely safe and comfortable. Top-notch camps have their own set of medical professionals, let children sleep in comfortable beds, have alarm systems to contain potential accidents, offer delectable but healthy meals, and have supervisors who oversee every activity to ensure participants’ safety.

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Arts facility. To help children appreciate the arts, such as visual and performing arts, they must be introduced to a program that will help them discover or hone talents in singing, dancing, acting, painting, and similar disciplines. It is best done in a well-built hall or studio that is complete with all art materials, faculty staff, and other resources that can offer opportunities for significant improvements.

Greenwoods Camp is a camp for young boys that offer state-of-the-art facilities and programs to stimulate learning amongst its participants. Take a virtual tour here.

Youth character building and fun: Top reasons to join summer camp

Summer camps provide an excellent opportunity for kids to grow, learn, and have tons of fun. They provide the basic skills necessary for both physical, mental, and social growth. But what exactly do children do in summer camp? Below is a list of activities and skills that are developed and reinforced in the camp.

Exploration 

The children learn about exploring their surroundings without being limited to the four walls of a classroom. Camps expose children to new activities where they can develop new habits, allowing them to be more open-minded. 

Social growth 

Camps embrace the idea of letting children grow, but preferably with others, so as to develop a sense of belongingness in a group. Not only do camps promote social interaction, they also allow the children to contribute actively to society, developing in them a sense of purpose.

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Character-building 

Summer camps let children form their own image through activities that enable them to open up with fellow campers through group discussions, team-building activities, and public speaking exercises. Building a child's character and image is crucial to his physical and mental well-being. It allows a child to have the confidence to become a virtuous leader and a well-minded follower.

Independence 

Allowing children to participate in activities without any parental supervision helps them develop a sense of independence, an essential element in their adolescent growth.

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 But do not fear, although camps allow children to roam free and learn on their own, teachers, trainers and guidance counselors help them along the way to make sure the children don't stray too far from the pavement to a happier childhood. Summer camps also help children who suffer from anxiety or shyness by letting them participate in small groups then eventually in larger teams. 

Greenwoods Camp is a safe haven for children looking for a fun summer experience. Visit its official website for additional information.

Considering a career as a camp counselor

Summer camps are a thrilling experience for most children and teens, and the memories of these fun times often follow them well into adulthood. With this in mind, young adults looking for a new career would find that becoming a camp counselor might just be the starter career choice they're looking for.

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Counselors do a diverse set of tasks ranging from assisting children with learning new physical and creative skills, from proper basic swimming techniques and form in sports to hosting various activities. In addition, counselors should be flexible, capable of interacting with children and encouraging them to perform well, while staying responsible for their safety.

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On the surface, a job as a camp counselor provides experience comparable to that of an internship, with several key differences, the first being that contrary to an internship, it is frequently a paid job with several benefits. The skills developed during one's time as a camp counselor are also an advantage, creating and fostering a diverse set of skills that are indispensable in many management situations.

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 More socially proactive young adults frequently gain more than work experience when working in a summer camp. Camp counselors often add that their interaction with children is often an enriching one in its own right. Not a few have felt that their time befriending campers has helped them make a difference in the lives of a young person.  

Headed by Dayna Hardin, a former camp counselor, Greenwoods Camp offers an enriching work experience for many camp staff. Visit this website for more on one of North America's finest summer camps.

Preparing a sleepaway camp first-timer: A guide for the anxious parent

Summer camp can be an enriching experience, but It can be daunting for first-timers. So how can parents help prepare their sons and daughters for sleepaway camp?

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One of the hardest aspects of the experience is the separation. Particularly young children will not be used to the idea of living away from home and children of all ages, even veteran campers, can be prone to homesickness. Camp directors and counselors like the staff at Greenwoods Camp in Decatur, Michigan, understand this and are always willing to help.

But parents should try to dispel the children’s fears of going to this unfamiliar surrounding early on by telling the young ones about the great things they can look forward in the camp. Painfully shy kids might appreciate going to the camp with a buddy like a sibling or a close friend.

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The family can also look into how much communication is allowed and set a comfortable schedule according to this. Still, parents should encourage their children to enjoy themselves, and it could be counterintuitive if they miss out because they're always waiting by the phone.

Researching about the camp with the child is also recommended; knowing what to expect is better than going to camp and being bewildered by it. For peace of mind, families should find out about the camp's security, grounds, facilities healthcare, staff, and camp diet early on.

It may also be helpful to pack a reminder of home, like a family photo, a pillow, or a letter telling the child how proud of him the family is. Promising to send packages with a copy of a beloved book or a small toy (something that isn't too precious, in case it gets lost), and maybe some cookies or candy may also be comforting when the child is away.

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Parents also have some worries about sending their children away to camp, but it's important to remember that a child can benefit from having a safe, big space to frolic, learn, and make friends, and getting the right amount of the great outdoors. Besides, the camp experience can be a great way for both parents and their children to learn about healthy independence.

Parent don't have to be anxious about sending their sons to Greenwoods Camps as it prides itself in "taking care of campers better than anyone." Visit this website to learn more about the benefits of going to Greenwoods Camps.