Whether we're young or old, each year January speaks to
us about hope. Like a brand-new notebook, the New Year
says "fresh start" and beckons us to make changes
large and small in our lives. To create those changes,
we make promises to ourselves to do new things — or to
do familiar things a different way.
Merriam-Webster defines "promise" as "to
pledge to do, bring about, or provide." If "resolution" seems
like the New Year's "R word," maybe a new tradition
of New Year promises — in the place of resolutions — is
just the thing to help all of us make positive changes.
Many of your New Year's hopes and desires probably center
on your family, especially your children. In 2008, you
can promise your child new experiences, growth, fun, and caring.
The special moments of childhood that provide those learning
experiences come from many sources. The unique experience that
is camp gives children all of those things — and more.
In the New Year, promise your child . . .
An opportunity to be independent and learn
resiliency. Many
parents have understandable worries and concerns about their
children growing up in today's world. Those worries
become counterproductive, though, when they get in the way of
children's experiences in taking healthy risks. Camp
offers the chance for them to take those risks in a structured,
nurturing community of professionals who can guide children on
a journey of self-awareness and self-reliance.
A memorable life experience that can increase
self-confidence. At
camp, children are exposed to new experiences that can create "aha!" moments. "I
can do this!" "I'm good at this!" "I
thought this would be hard, but it wasn't so bad." "I
guess it's OK to try something new." Exploration
and discovery are key elements of the camp experience.
A new perspective on his or her interests. Maybe your
son or daughter has discovered a special interest in photography
or the performing arts. There are camps to encourage those
newly-found passions! Beyond traditional camp activities, camps
offer programs that address many interests, whether it's
aviation, caves, or drawing and painting. The opportunity
to explore these means of self-expression in a noncompetitive
environment allows for natural development of curiosity and talent — and
maybe even starts your child on a new academic or career path.
The chance to learn in the broader world
outside of school or home. Not only does camp enhance campers'
skills at activities such as sports, language, art, or science,
it provides the chance to learn more about the world through
new friendships, activities that promote cooperation, and challenges
that foster decision-making abilities and leadership. "Mentor"
time spent with caring adults, as found at camp, helps children
learn new ways of being part of a wider social world.
Valuable time spent in nature. Whether it's a hike
in the woods at day camp to identify trees or a wilderness trip
bringing your child closer to nature than ever before, the immersion
in the natural world not only teaches children how to appreciate
the environment, but, as studies have shown, can be therapeutic
in reducing the stress of everyday life and can even help improve
academic performance.
You can even promise yourself that this year you'll know
just where to go to find the information to help you decide how
to provide your child with the camp experience. Discover
the right camp for your child by researching camp options online.
All types of camp programs can be found in ACA's searchable
Find-A-Camp database of over 2,400 ACA-accredited camps at www.CampParents.org,
along with an extensive array of articles that will give
you suggestions about how to choose a camp, as well as plan for
it. If you're wondering if there's a camp that
will fit your budget, the database helps you search by cost.
Also, keep in mind that 90 percent of camps offer some sort of
financial assistance.
This year, promise yourself and your children new experiences
and new ways of doing things to bring you closer to your dreams
for you and your family. One of those ways is to explore
for your child the promise of camp.
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