For a lot of kids in the United States, summer means only one thing: going to camp. As you are reading this, it is more than likely that a child is reminding his or her parent to sign up before it’s too late. Summer camps have been around since the 1880s, and serve as way for children to take a break from everyday life and experience quality time in nature. Children of ages eight to fifteen spend anywhere from one to nine weeks of their summer at camp.
The traditional overnight summer camp experience certainly not luxurious, but comfort is not what children seek when they go away to camp. Sharing a tiny log cabin in the woods with ten other children is all part of the excitement. Nonetheless, campers rarely spend time in their cabins – they are too busy taking part in all the activities camp has to offer. Activities at summer camp range from arts and crafts to archery to jet skiing. When children are not busy with programs, they are singing camp songs, playing games, and making lasting friendships. Children can also attend specialty camps, which cater to specific interests including sports, religion, or youth organizations such as Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts.
For many children, summer camp is their first time away from home. It is a time when they must take care of themselves and live independently. In many cases, it is also their first time sharing a room with several other people. At camp, children learn how to respect one another’s space and property, and learn valuable life lessons. These life lessons provide them with valuable life skills as adults.
Campers also have a lot to learn from their counselors as well. Counselors, usually between eighteen and twenty-five years old, act as the campers’ parents away from home. However, many campers think of them more as cool older siblings, because of all the fun and spontaneous activities they plan. Whether it is sneaking into the kitchen at night for cookies or making the cabin into a dance club, counselors always find a way to create a fun and learning environment. More importantly, counselors are people that campers can always confide, because of their dual role as an adult and a friend. They encourage their campers to make lasting friendships and reflect on their camp experiences. Many summer camps hire international counselors to provide an opportunity for children to learn more about different cultures. Camp America is one of the most popular organizations for university students hoping to work abroad at summer camp in the United States.
The importance of summer camps today is invaluable. Not only do they provide children with long-lasting relationships and entertainment, they stress the importance of going outside and getting away from the complexity of everyday life. The memories children form and the lessons they learn at summer camp stay with them for the rest of their lives.