Discovery Point Blog

May 23, 2016

Four Ways in Which Summer Camp Can Enhance Child Development

Establishing an independent identity is critical to your child’s ongoing development and growth. Summer camp can be a valuable part of this process and can provide children with added tools and competencies that can be applied in a wide range of settings. By allowing your child to explore and experience new environments with his or her peers, you can foster a sense of self-reliance that can carry over to other activities and settings. The experts at Discovery Point have compiled a list of four ways in which summer camp can enhance child development.

A Sense of Community

Perhaps the most important benefit of summer camp for children is the sense of camaraderie and community present in these environments. By sharing experiences and facing challenges together, children can form close bonds with their peers. Some of the friendships built in summer camp endure for a lifetime. Camp counselors and teachers offer guidance and support for children throughout the program; it is the support provided by fellow campers, however, that can often have the greatest effect on the development of social skills and the sense of belonging for younger camp attendees.

A Chance to Explore

Depending on the curriculum and the activities available at his or her summer camp, your child may be able to sample a number of new experiences and develop new interests during the span of the program. Diet is one area in which children often expand their personal horizons. Even the fussiest eaters can be inspired to try new things through the combination of peer pressure and the absence of parents with whom to negotiate. A willingness to try new things can translate into increased adaptability in academic settings and in the employment marketplace, allowing your child to achieve a greater degree of success in his or her future endeavors.

A Quest for Knowledge

The educational advantages provided by summer camp activities should not be overlooked. Field trips, science experiments and other learning opportunities can help your child gain valuable experience that can be applied upon his or her return to school in the fall. Encouraging your child to take on new challenges and to acquire new skills can ensure that he or she gains the greatest possible benefits from these experiences. Additionally, exposure to advanced concepts and topics can sometimes provide the inspiration for inventions, discoveries and achievements that can shape your child’s future for the better.

An Appreciation of Home and Family

Spending time away from friends and family can lead to a greater appreciation of the role that these individuals play in the everyday life of a child. Absence can indeed make the heart grow fonder, especially for children who are unaccustomed to spending long periods of time away from home. By allowing your child to experience unfamiliar settings and activities, you can instill a greater appreciation for home and family that can last throughout your child’s later life.

At Discovery Point, we offer the most engaging and innovative summer camp programs for your child. Our weekly themes and flexible enrollment arrangements allow you to select the right attendance pattern for your child. By working with the teaching staff and camp counselors at Discovery Point, you can ensure that your child enjoys the most memorable and positive experiences while learning and growing every day at summer camp.