Summer camps can be an exciting, enriching part of childhood. Young children can benefit from structured fun and socialization during the summer months when school is not in session. Summer camp can even be fun and beneficial for toddlers and preschool-aged kids!
This article will explore the many benefits of sending your child to a Palm Harbor summer camp. Reach out to the team at New Horizons to learn more about our exciting summer camp programs.
What Happens in Summer Camp?
Summer camp programs can vary quite a bit. Older children may attend sleep-away camps that last a week or longer. Younger children may attend day camps at a school or other site but return home in the afternoon or evening.
Here is an overview of what to expect from a summer camp program for younger children.
Safety
Safety is a priority in summer camp programs. Young children require a lot of care and supervision as they play and engage in different activities.
Dedicated staff provide safe, nurturing care for young children in summer camp programs. They keep groups small to ensure all campers stay safe and get the attention they need.
Activities
Young campers participate in a variety of activities throughout the week. They spend lots of time outdoors, doing art projects, going on field trips, playing games, and so much more. A wide variety of activities keeps kids active and engaged all summer.
Learning
Preschool summer camps typically have kid-friendly themes, including:
- Space
- Bugs
- Dinosaurs
- Camping
- Art
- Under the sea
Teachers and counselors can use these themes to develop activities and learning throughout the week. Kids stay engaged and learn a lot while having so much fun every week!
Preschool summer camp programs offer so much more than just daycare. Children learn, play, and develop new skills all summer. They get to have fun, make new friends, and use their imaginations each day.
Summer Camps: Exploring the Benefits
At New Horizons, we offer fun, enriching summer camp programs for young children. Summer programs can help your child stay active and social, even when school is not in session.
Here are some of the most significant benefits of summer camp for young children.
1. Social skills
During the school year, your child has a chance to meet new friends and work on their relationship-building skills. During the summer, social skills can get rusty unless children have an opportunity to practice them.
Participating in summer camps gives your child the chance to meet new friends. They get to practice their friendship-building skills in a new, fun setting. Meeting new people and developing new relationships can give your child’s essential social skills a boost.
2. More learning
Research shows that kids lose some school skills and knowledge over the summer. Education experts call this “summer learning loss.” Engaging in summer camps can prevent summer learning loss and help your child learn more during the summer months.
3. Activity
Changes in our culture have led to young children being much less active than in previous generations. Many children spend more time indoors as busy parents balance child care and demanding work schedules.
Attending summer camps in Palm Harbor can keep your child active and engaged all summer. Field trips, nature art projects, hiking, and other outdoor explorations will keep your child moving and having fun all summer.
4. Better self-esteem
Summer camps can help your child gain independence, confidence, and self-esteem. They’ll spend their summer making new friends, trying new things, and gaining new skills. All of this can lead to more resilience and a deeper sense of self-worth.
5. Teamwork
Summer camps can help children build their teamwork skills. Many activities, such as art projects, games, and sports, require children to work together. Learning to work as a team is an essential life skill that can benefit children in school and life.
6. Independence
Summer camps give children the chance to make decisions and try new things without a parent nearby. Your child will meet new people, try new things, and work through challenges while having a lot of fun.
Your child will learn to step outside of their comfort zone to try new activities. This will help them learn that they are safe–even without their parents at their side. This can lead to more independence and confidence in their abilities.
7. Less screen time
Summertime can sometimes mean more screen time. Controlling screen time can be difficult when kids are home all day long.
Summer camps beat boredom and naturally reduce the amount of screen time your kids will have each day. You can trust that your child will have plenty of fun in a safe, nurturing environment all summer long.
Summer camps can be a fun way to encourage growth, learning, and friendships all summer long. Contact the New Horizons team to learn about our summer camps in Palm Harbor.
