subject: Day camp vs. overnight camp – Which is better? [print this page] Day camp vsDay camp vs. overnight camp Which is better?
Going to summer camp has been a traditional American activity for kids and teens. Until a few years ago, summer fun for youngsters was all about getting away from the city and enjoying clean country air while participating in typical camping activities such as hiking.
With changing times, the traditional camp has progressed from campfires and nature trails to an interesting and eclectic blend of activities. Your child can choose from sports, art, rollerblading, martial arts, filmmaking, video game design, weight loss, magic, performing arts, computer camps and many more.
The idea is to let your kids learn new skills, impart socio-cultural values and acquire advanced knowledge about stuff they are already interested in. Kids' or teen camps are held in safe and healthy environments and are supervised by qualified counselors.
Day camp or overnight camp Pros and cons
Its easy to get overwhelmed by the myriad choices that are available with summer camps. But the first thing you need to decide is whether your child ought to go to a day camp or an overnight summer camp.
It all depends on whether your child is old enough, mature enough and independent enough to go to overnight or sleepaway camps. Some overnight summer camps accept kids as young as six or seven, but that is probably a bit too young. Kids aged 10-12 can more or less take care of themselves and have greater maturity to handle independent living at overnight summer camp.
But there's really no magic age when your kids are totally prepared for sleepaway camp it depends on whether they have ever been away from home overnight, or how they handle different situations.
Another consideration is the location of the camp. If it's a day camp, you'll have to take care of the logistics every single day of the camp. Overnight camps are relatively hassle-free.
Benefits of attending overnight summer camp
Campers get to bond with each other and even make lifelong friendships at overnight camps. This might not be possible in a day camp.
Kids who have been to overnight summer camp experience a sense of community that can only come from living for extended periods of time with one's peers.
Kids learn to adjust with others and imbibe values such as sharing, tolerance, independence and self-reliance. The independence, however, can only be practiced within pre-defined boundaries, thus creating a sense of security.
Your child gets to interact with kids who would normally be outside his/her social milieu.
Overnight summer camp helps to increase your child's self-esteem and self-confidence and fosters important qualities such as leadership, mutual understanding and the ability to make friends.
Being away from home is crucial for your child's maturity and growth. The experience of overnight summer camp really helps along the rocky path to adulthood.
But whether you choose to send your child to a day camp or an overnight one, it will be a productive experience whose benefits will certainly last for a lifetime.
