It’s the time of year when school is out and parents are looking for fun and educational activities for their children. Many children attend summer camp, which offers a number of different activities from sports to art to science. One of the most important aspects of a summer camp is the opportunity for a child to engage in structured play with other children their age and explore project-based and tactile activities that help them be creative and develop a love of learning.
Socialization
One of the most important things to look for in a summer camp experience is the opportunity for children to socialize. Many project-based camps, such as visual art or science camps offer children an opportunity to socialize and create together as a team while still working at their own pace when necessary. Having the opportunity to socialize is essential to a child’s well-being and development especially during the elementary years.
Creativity
Creativity is another important thing to think about when choosing a summer camp or educational program. Creativity can be encouraged typically in an arts or music setting or it can be integrated into virtually any type of camp so long as children are problem solving, making something new, or working with other students. Learning to think creatively is an essential skill that students will use at all ages throughout their life.
Tactile learning
Another wonderful aspect of attending a summer camp is the opportunity to create something in a hands-on environment. Much of a student’s learning experience during the school year involves textbooks, studying, and listening (all important skills). However, summer offers an opportunity for students to experience a more hands-on approach to learning and to create something from scratch. They might be building a robot in a science camp with other students or they might be making clay pots in a pottery class. The important thing is that the child is interested in the activity they’re participating in so their passions are encouraged and developed.
