Many kids these days don’t spend enough time outdoors, which has become a cause for concern for parents. Allowing your children to engage with nature and physical activities like sports is as important as their school curriculum. While there is considerable physical activity when school is on, holidays often become the time when children don’t spend enough time outdoors.
According to many studies, camps are a great channel for children to not only get involved in outdoor activities but also learn a myriad of new skills and valuable lessons. They offer a safe and supervised environment which allows kids to expand on their existing skills while making new friends and memories they can cherish for life. Here are some of the benefits of winter camps that parents should be aware of.
Boost Self-Confidence
While the day of camp is not always the easiest one, the curriculum includes several activities like hiking, team-based games, fishing, and more that allow kids to build confidence. Making new friends is a huge part of the camping experience that can also do wonders for your child’s self-esteem.
Improve Social Skills
Allowing your kids to spend time with other children in a safe and creative environment can go a long way to improve their social skills. At Camp Live Oak, they will be taught how to interact with their peers and adults in a constructive and kind manner. They will get plenty of opportunities to share their thoughts and stories which will help them build long lasting bonds with their friends.
Independence
While parents play a vital role in their child’s upbringing, allowing them to handle certain tasks independently is equally important. At winter camps, your child will get plenty of chances to exercise their decision-making skills in a safe environment.
Value of Teamwork
It is important to teach your child about the benefits of teamwork early on. Once they understand the value behind joining forces with their peers, they are more likely to feel confident about undertaking challenging tasks. On the other hand, working as a team also helps them build communication skills.
New Experiences and Skills
A mundane and repetitive schedule can stunt your child’s growth. Undergoing new experiences and learning new skills allows your child to expand their mental and physical potential. Winter camps offer plenty of new experiences and opportunities for learning new skills to kids.
Exposure to Diversity
In school, your child will typically meet other children from similar backgrounds. On the other hand, winter camps offer a safe haven for kids to interact with others from varying backgrounds. This will not only expand their social skills but also make them more empathetic and considerate.
Leadership Skills
Allowing your child to take the lead in certain tasks can go a long way to build their leadership skills. In the future, you never know when your child might find themselves in a leadership role so it’s important to brush up on those skills early on.
Integrity and Resilience
Having a strong moral code is imperative and will help build your child’s character as time passes. Counselors at winter camps are trained to instill mental discipline in kids. There are several activities and programs at winter camps that help your child understand the importance and benefits of following rules.
Connect With Nature
Cutting down your child’s screen time has never been more important. These days, children are likely to spend more time on their cellphones and computers than going out to experience nature and socialize with their friends. Winter camps offer plenty of activities that showcase the beauty of nature as well as give your child the tools to interact with it.
At Camp Live Oak, we understand how important it is for your child to grow in a sustainable manner. If you are worried that your child is not spending enough time outdoors, especially during the holiday, consider sending them to our winter camp. Registration for our winter camps are open now. If you’d like to learn more about our camping programs, contact us today!