subject: Summer Music Camps For Kids Provide Instruction And Encouragement Missing From Our Public Schools [print this page] The sound of music is growing fainter in the halls of our schools. For that matter, the sound of dancing feet and emoting actors are as well. In this time of education budget cuts and tough economy, summer music camps can help to fill these artistic holes in the lives of our kids.
Traditionalists believe school is made up primarily of reading, writing, and mathematics. However, recent research indicates that learning music actually has a "halo effect" on other school subjects. Singing in the choir or playing in the school band helps build the brain connections necessary for math computation. The focused attention required to follow a score or sing in groups contributes to success in comprehending and remembering key historical facts or associating events and facts in other classes.
The state of the arts in public schools is dismal. The National Endowment for the Arts has stated that in the period of 1992-2008, funding has decreased over 21%. Kids no longer have the same opportunities as earlier generations did to get involved in the school band or to dance and perform in the school play. Parents desiring a better education for their children should consider music camp or acting camps during the summertime.
A music camp has programs for numerous age groups and areas of concentration for any kid's interests. Campers have the opportunity to select from a wide variety of lessons and workshops in their preferred performing art and also the chance to stretch their wings into less familiar areas. Additionally, traditional summer camp activities like horse back riding, swimming, or canoeing are usually available. After a day of rigorous acting or vocal instruction, these lessons can be incorporated and enhanced by jumping into the lake or hitting a tennis ball. It's all about those neural connections.
Going to summer music camps can improve a camper's technical expertise, of course, but these and other arts camps can help your youngster find his personal artistic voice and expose him to like-minded friends. The idea is not necessarily to prepare kids for a profession in the arts, but to teach them creative ways of expressing themselves, problem solving and trying on new life experiences. Perhaps in exploring new artistic avenues, they'll find themselves along the way.
Although arts education is on the decline in our schools, a summer music camp can help parents provide their children with new abilities and fantastic memories.
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