Summer camp offers an invaluable experience to youth who attend. According to the American Camping Association camp provides children with an opportunity to discover and explore their interests, values, and talents. Camp delivers positive impacts for youth. Youth attending 4-H camp last year indicated their attendance at camp helped them make new friends, develop new skills, and become more independent and able to take care of themselves.

Technology Free

Camp puts youth in a technology-free zone so they can spend their day being physically active. This provides youth the opportunity to be in the great outdoors and participate in outdoor activities. Youth can learn about themselves and discover new interests.

Hands-on Experiences

Camp provides hands-on experiences. Campers take part in classic summer camp activities- hiking, swimming, arts and crafts, skits and songs around the campfire. Oftentimes, summer camp is the first time campers have experienced these activities. Youth develop these skills and gain confidence in these activities.

Independence

Camp teaches youth to become independent. During the camp week, youth are able to make decisions and be responsible without their parents guiding them every step of the way. Youth manage their daily hygiene, upkeep of their cabin, and making safe choices. Camp is the perfect place for kids to practice making decisions for themselves.

Confidence

Camp shows kids that they can. Camp helps youth develop self-confidence and self-esteem providing opportunities for youth to succeed. Camp staff and counselors are trained to continually encourage kids to never give up which is a huge boost for most youth. Staff and counselors nurture kids and they provide an environment to withstand obstacles, try new things, and see improvement comes when you give something another try.

Lifelong Friendships and Memories

Camp develops lifelong friendships and memories. Camp brings youth together as they participate in communal experiences. Campfires, skits, and having new experiences together really connect relationships. “A Ring Is Round” is a song that youth sing during the end of the week candle lighting activity and is a testimony of the bonding experience camp provides. The lyrics are, “Make new friends but keep the old. One is silver and the other gold. A ring is round, it has no end. That’s how long you’ll be my friend.” Developing relationships is an essential life skill and it is one of the most important skills developed at camp.

0