In my position with the American Camp Association, I have been
fielding a number of calls about the impact of our economy on
camp enrollment. It is interesting to note that enrollment remains
steady at camp, which is consistent with our historical evidence
that the last dollar parent's will "cut" is
the one spent on their children. Why is that?
I believe, as parents, we want our children to be able to be
children! This is particularly true in challenging times. I have
noticed the Ad Council's most recent advertisement on the
importance of time for play. Of course, that resonates with those
of us who are parents because whether you want to call it practice
or experiential, we all know that play affords our children opportunities
to engage, perform, and take part—all precursors to learning.
As parents, we do not want to deprive our children of childhood
itself—it is a rite of passage.
The camp experience provides an exemplary opportunity for positive
child/youth development. At camp, play means engaging with the
natural world. It allows us to use all of our senses to learn
lessons that create life-long impressions on how we see ourselves
and our world. If we consider that today's child spends
four minutes out of doors each day compared to six hours in front
of a screen, can we as parents cut this opportunity for our children
to experience the natural world from the family budget? I think
not.
The camp experience offers opportunities for authentic human
connections. I find it strange that we have to use the word "authentic" to
describe human connections—positive relationships with
others. Yet, we cannot afford to eliminate real-life experiences
and relationships from our developmental experiences—and,
at the same time, expect to raise tomorrow's world citizens.
Camp is designed to enhance and nurture social and emotional
skills that can make a difference in a child's success
in life.
The camp experience also gets kids up and moving —active
participation with legitimate kinetic feedback informing the
brain of time, space, and movement. Participation at whatever
level possible is critical if one is to understand oneself and
achieve a sense of well-being. We only need to look at today's
obesity rates in children to recognize the need for kids to be
up and moving. To be included—to participate instead of
observe—is inherent in one's sense of belonging,
and is so important to all of us in today's world. Camp
creates that community.
The camp experience can transform a child's life . . .
a dollar well spent. As a parent, I cannot imagine a world for
my children and their children where they could thrive let alone
survive without these life experiences—anymore than they
will survive without clean air and water.
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