How Teenagers in Day Camp Become More Responsible Adults

Teenagers nowadays are more absorbed with the virtual world than ever before. With the rise of technology, more and more kids are being left with their own devices. While learning has become more expansive and accessible, teenagers fail to develop many skills which they need to face the more complicated post-adolescent life.

Because our children are so absorbed in their devices, they spend less and less time interacting with other people on a personal level. More likely, they are glued to their couch or beds without doing any physical activity. This prolonged sedentary lifestyle can be detrimental for your child’s psychological and physiological growth. 

As parents, we want the best for our children. One way to help them is to limit their virtual time and let them engage in activities that can enhance other facets of their personality. One fun way to make them do this is by enrolling your teen in a day camp. 

You may be asking why? Just what do teenagers learn in day camps that could transform them into more responsible individuals? 

In day camps, teenagers are given specific tasks for the day and sometimes they rotate on these chores. This makes teenagers who have been in day camp more flexible to many things they may need to do in the future. Learning how to cook, how to clean, fix their own beds, and many other chores will help them become more independent and will be able to face their lives easier especially when they finally live on their own. These are things that they cannot learn from video games.

Another advantage of enrolling your teen in a summer program is that they learn the value of social interaction and how it affects them and the people around them. They learn that their actions have corresponding consequences, and they learn to bear the weight of their decisions. Day camps offer various group activities where teenagers lead and learn how to decide. They will realize that their actions lead to certain situations, most of the time not just involving them, but their teammates as well. This is an essential life skill that they need when they become adults in the future. 

Moreover, day camps implement rules and these help discipline the teenagers. They learn to recognize the importance of order and know the workarounds to improve certain situations. They know when to weigh their decisions, and know that disregarding some rules will also lead to certain consequences. They learn how to let go and sacrifice things to contribute to the order of the system.

In day camps, your child will also be exposed to different socio-civic programs like outreach projects by The Red Cross. Exposing teenagers to these kinds of programs develops their awareness and respect for human diversity and global welfare and how they can make a difference in the society. With this exposure, you develop a well-rounded adult who can become a catalyst for positive change. 

As you can see, there are a lot of skills and values teenagers can develop in day camps. These summer programs for kids are aimed to developing your child in a holistic way. Give your teenagers the right push so they become more ready and prepared for their future by enrolling them in day camps.

How Early Should You Send Your Child to Camp

Camp offers children with enriching experiences that will build their self-esteem, social skills and discover talents. Before enrolling your kid in a day camp, you must determine if they are ready.

Some children have yet to reach a certain level of independence for camp. This may cause bad experiences throughout their stay. Your child may not want to return to camp because of these. You must consider the maturity or age of your kid before you enrol them.

Determine the Readiness of Your Child

The ideal age to send kids to summer camp is approximately nine years old. At this age, most children are responsible enough for things such as bathing, dressing and being accountable for their own things. However, some children have reached a level of maturity to do these things without help at an earlier age. Some are ready to go to camp as early as six or seven years old.

One of the ways to determine the maturity level of your child is, by observing the way he or she takes care of their things. Do they put them away after playing? If your child knows how to return things to where they should be, they are ready to join summer day camp.

Is He or She Mature Enough?

Some kids lack the maturity to be away from home for a long time, especially if their parents are not around. These kids tend to feel anxious at day camp; they will not have fun because all they think about is home.

If your child feels nervous whenever you are not home for a long time, it is an indicator that they are unprepared for camp. They need to mature and be accountable for their actions before joining a program.

Is Your Kid Ready for Camp?

It is difficult to know how your child will feel when you leave them for some time. If they enjoy staying at a friend’s home for the whole day or at grandpa’s, you can send them to camp.

Does your child show curiosity about their environment? Do they like the outdoors? Do they like being with other kids they just met? If your answer is yes to these questions, your child is confident and mature enough to join a camp.

Interests of Your Child

Determine the interests of your kid to know if they will feel excited about camp. You have several choices as to the program your child can join. Show them photos or videos of the activities and go on a personal visit to the camp to help your child learn about the experience. Some children prefer sports and some like the arts. Determine what your child likes to enrol them at a program they want to join.

How Day Camps Can Be A Positive Influence in Youth Development

Integrating Youth Development through Day Camping

Youth is that particular stage in the life of a person that brings about many changes in one’s personality and character. Children are most receptive when it comes to opportunities for interpersonal development. As such, a day camp for kids are created to make use of our chldren’s idle time and transform it into a productive program of enriching activities. There are many day camp centers in and around our country and all serve one vision and one purpose: child development through social interaction. Society has always been a part of your child since being brought into the world, and the only way to survive its never-ending challenges is to equip the child with the proper tools to help overcome these. Day camps can help children socially, and also guarantee that every child will gain more knowledge from various activities provided.

Advantages of Joining a Summer Camp

Camping has always been considered a worthwhile activity. Consisting mostly of spending time outdoors and interacting with nature, participants learn about camaraderie, trust, responsibility, and most importantly, unity amongst themselves. Summer camp brings the great outdoors and many fun programs together to make a memorable summer for your children. The advantages of joining a day camp are too many to mention; however, we can mention three of these that top the list. First is personality development, second is social development, and third is maturity.

Personality development is achieved when a child acquires a unique set or pattern of thinking, feeling, and behavior that makes him/her unique.  Social development, on the other hand, is achieved when a child understands the importance of being a person for others. This means the child would have been equipped with tools required to extend sympathy and to show empathy towards other people.

Maturity is much deeper in scope. Though still a child, maturity can still be achieved in day camp for kids with the help of both camp leaders and parents. And this is one of the primary reasons day camp is a rewarding activity for children not to take for granted. They grow in wisdom and in self-awareness not feeling forced or stressed out. Instead, children develop maturity in the spirit of fun and camaraderie. Various activities line up a summer camp program and no two program lists are the same.

Encouraging your kids to attend summer camps will open opportunities for them to succeed in their personal and social development. Do not let this chance slip by. Guide them. Support them. Inspire them to be the best person that they can be. Youth only comes once in their lifetime. Ensure that your kids make the best out of this phase.

Camp Adventures: Fun Activities at Camp

Children have several options for entertainment; they have their handheld devices, Television, video games and smartphones. Some kids never leave home and stare at a screen all day; this may lead to childhood obesity or a lack of social skills they will need once they reach adulthood.

Instead of leaving your child at home, why not encourage them to participate in one of the many summer programs for kids?

Fun and Enriching Summer Programs for Kids

When you enrol your child at a camp, he or she has several options. If they show interest in sports, they can opt for swimming, basketball, volleyball or other ball sports. If they like extreme or outdoor sports, they can do wall climbing, kayaking, canoeing, mountain biking or hiking and other sports.

Team sports such as basketball or volleyball teach your child the importance of playing with others and communicating. These sports require each kid to help each other in the game. They need to make plays for others and sacrifice for the good of the team. This instills important life lessons in your child at an early age.

Kids will not only enjoy the activities at camp, they will also be safe throughout the day. The counsellors and instructors have the experience and knowledge to teach and keep children safe in their chosen activity. The facilities of summer programs for kids use modern equipment and facilities for the sports they offer.

Your child will join a class or group of kids within the same age group. The instructor or counsellor will make sure each child gets the attention he or she needs throughout the activities.

Kids who show interest in the arts also have several options when they join summer camp. Some programs offer acting, painting, singing, dancing, drama, and costume and set design. These activities will stir your child’s creativity and help them build confidence through the workshops and training provided by experienced staff and instructors.

Children who participate in arts camp will learn how to express themselves artistically, learn how to be confident in front of a crowd and communicate effectively. Kids will carry these important life skills into their teenage years and adulthood.

Why Join a Summer Camp for Kids?

Camp is an enriching experience and is sort of a rite of passage for children. The activities provide your kids with health benefits. They reduce the possibility of getting potentially life-threatening diseases as they age because of the lifestyle inculcated in them.

The activities also teach kids important life lessons such as self-confidence, teamwork, perseverance, accountability and responsibility just to name a few. Enrich your child’s summer by enrolling them in a summer camp program.

A Sedentary Lifestyle Leads to Childhood Obesity

With the advent of technology, children are most likely to stay indoors and play mobile or computer games rather than go out and play under the sun. This may lead to a sedentary lifestyle that is detrimental to your child’s development.

What is Childhood Obesity?

Childhood obesity is a growing concern in the United States as it affects over 30% of children; this number has ballooned since 1980.

With the increase in the cases of obesity in children, there are now more instances of diabetes, hypertension, and other related diseases in kids. A child is considered obese when his or her body mass index for age is higher than 95%.

Factors such as environment, lifestyle, and diet affect your child’s health. If your child is bombarded with commercials of unhealthy food or if these are easily accessible, the chances of obesity increase.

Lack of physical activity will make your child obese. The accessibility and prevalence of computers and mobile devices have made it easier for children to amuse themselves. They do not have to leave the comforts of home to run or bike in parks. This leads to poor health, weakness, fatigue, and it paves the way for cardiovascular diseases, once your child reaches old age.

The risk for certain diseases increase, if your child is obese. Your kid may get heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer, high levels of cholesterol, and sleep apnea just to name a few.

How Can Your Child Avoid a Sedentary Lifestyle?

Now that you know the risks associated with childhood obesity, you must do what you can to avoid it. Enroll your child in summer camp for kids to encourage them to participate in various sports that keep them active during weekends or the summer.

At summer camp, your child gets to join various sports such as swimming, basketball, volleyball, soccer, and other fun sports that keep them active and healthy. Your child needs to sweat a bit and get a few bumps and bruises to help them develop into a stronger and holistic person. There are also extreme sports such as wall climbing, and others, if your child is the adventurous type.

The variety of sports at camp helps your child learn different skills and discover talents that he or she might have. Your child will also meet other kids their age, which helps develop camaraderie among campers. Making new friends is another benefit of enrolling your child in a summer camp. Find a program that best suits your child at Zodiac Day Camp or Zodiac and Swim School.

Early Career Development at Culinary Arts Camp

Is your child fond of tinkering with kitchen tools, mixing and matching ingredients at home, or creating a dish with whatever’s available? Maybe your child has a talent and passion for cooking. You can help your child turn that passion into a career by enrolling him or her in a culinary arts program at a summer camp for kids.

Early Career Development at Cooking Camp

Summer camp for kids with cooking programs is a great way for your child to explore and hone their talent in the culinary arts. Cooking camp provides the coaching your child needs to give him or her direction in the style of cooking that your child wants to create. Cooking camp helps your child learn a new life skill, cooperation with other kids, science and math because of the exact amount of ingredients used and proportions that need to be cut, and self-esteem. Creating a dish gives kids a sense of accomplishment that helps boost self-confidence.

At summer camp for kids, your child will know how to use kitchen tools such as different knives, pots, various types of pans, and how much ingredients are needed for a certain kind of dish or dessert. Kids are supervised by a professional cooking teacher to help them learn a particular dish. A cooking coach helps kids understand the importance of each ingredient and the exact measurements to create a tasty dish. Kids are not only taught how to make dishes, but how to present them. There is art to cooking, and kids at cooking camp are taught how to make their dishes appealing and presentable.

Cooking camp allows your child to experience what it’s like cooking in a team, making dishes, using kitchen tools, and buying ingredients, which are all important as they explore their career options even at their young age.

Choose the Best Culinary Arts Camp

There are several summer camps that offer culinary arts programs. Find a cooking camp that has professional teaching and the facilities needed to help nourish kids’ passion for cooking. Zodiac Camp offers a culinary arts program with a professional cooking coach as a supervisor.

Zodiac Camp’s culinary arts program helps students learn how to cook, use kitchen tools, pick ingredients, and present their culinary masterpieces. The facilities are equipped for a fun and exciting experimenting with all sorts of dishes and desserts. The diverse curriculum offered by Zodiac Camp helps kids not only to cook and present dishes, but also the importance of nutrition, food preparation, kitchen safety, and proper manners.

Factors to Consider when Choosing a Specialty Program

Summer camp for kids, such as Zodiac Camps, offer specialty programs that let youand your child choose which activities to engage in for day camp. It’s a great way to add variety to your child’s summer. Specializing in a specific sport or activity also allows children to enhance their skills and continue to improve in a particular area.

Zodiac’s specialty program is designed for campers aged 5.5 to 12.5 years old. They can choose from the following: Adventure Challenge, Cheerleading, Circus Arts, Culinary Arts, Creatures, Creatures & Creativity, Dance, Extreme Biking, Fashion Arts, Gymnastics, Horseback Riding, Mega Sports, Film & Media, Performing Arts, Rocks, Ropes & Ramps, Science & Magic, Science & Rocketry, Swimming and Tennis, Trampoline Sports, Lake Sports, Snow Sports, Ramps and Science & Technology.

In general, when choosing which specialty to enroll your child in, you can consider the following:

• If it is aligned with your child’s interest – You may think you know what your child wants, but it is still best to ask him or her opinion about certain specialty programs. It is always a good idea to involve your child in the decision-making process when it comes to choosing a camp.

• Schedule –Day camps differ from overnight summer camp for kids because you need to work around a particular schedule for getting your child to camp, and picking them up at the end of the day. As such, the schedule of activities for the specialized program also needs to coincide with the schedule of the rest of the family.

• Group size – Find out how many people are enrolled in particular programs. High quality, low-ratio programs create a better opportunity for learning. Check if your child is comfortable with the number of campers in the program that he or she will need to get along with. 

• Quality of camp’s facilities – If your child is into swimming, lake sports or trampoline classes, it is best to check beforehand if your chosen day camp has the facilities for such activities.

• Equipment needed – It is important to know what kind of equipment will be needed for your child’s chosen specialty. This will work together with your family budget to ensure that the sport or chosen activity can be supported and sustained by the family even after summer. Summer camps for kids that deal with sports often have the sports equipment available at the camp, so there is no need to purchase right away. However, items like hockey masks, hockey sticks, skates or other sports equipment need to be purchased should your son or daughter decide to pursue the sport after camp.