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The holidays will soon be here and, like many, you may be feeling
the pressure of shopping for gifts and finding your kids that
one special present that will go deeper than the instant amusement
of a video game that will turn to boredom when the novelty has
worn off.
What if there was a gift you could give your children that would
build their character, teach them life skills to help them grow
into successful adults, and provide endless hours of fun?
As it happens, there is such a gift: the life-changing experience
of camp. In fact, camp gives kids so many gifts that last long
after camp is over, it's hard to count them all. One might
need a mnemonic device to tally the emotional presents campers
receive. Or better yet, a catchy jingle, something like "The
Twelve Days of Camp."
On the twelfth day of camp, the experience gave to me . . .
12 new activities;
11 chances to be in nature;
10 opportunities to build confidence;
9 reasons for better self-esteem;
8 chances to be responsible;
7 fits of laughter;
6 joyful moments of acceptance;
5 lasting friendships;
4 great role models;
3 leadership opportunities;
2 new life goals;
and a sense of self-identity.
While not complete, this list does provide a clear picture of
how positive an influence the camp experience can be.
New activities. Owner and director of Camp Echo, Jeff Grabow,
said at camp, "Children are exposed to wonders and experiences
that are rarely, if ever, afforded to them in the events of their
typical day. Where else can they ride on a horse, fly on a trapeze,
and canoe down a river all in the same day?"
Nature. Children on the whole
spend less time outside these days even though being in nature
is a proven stress reliever for all ages. Jane Millen, of Camp
Wewa and head of camping services for the Central Florida YMCA,
said of campers, "Many of them have never walked on anything
besides cement . . . it doesn't take long for them to develop
an appreciation and love for the new environment around them."
Confidence. George Stein, owner and director of Dream Big Day
Camp, said, self-worth and confidence serve "as a springboard
into virtually all areas of one's daily life—how
[campers] interact with others, how they approach new situations
or challenges, how they cope with difficulty or adverse matters."
Self-esteem. School sometimes leaves children feeling inadequate,
said David Hughes of Camp Doodles. "At summer camp, some
other intelligences are used more strongly than academic ones
. . . camp can build self-esteem in children who are so talented
but sometimes feel like they are not."
Responsibility. Hughes said campers "inherently want to
make a difference in their camp, their local community, and globally.
Gifting children the right and responsibility of 'global
citizenship' would make our world an even better place."
Laughter. Raucous laughter is a perfect measuring stick for
the amount of fun camp provides in a safe and nurturing environment.
Acceptance. "Camp is for every child and adult," said
Janet DePetrillo, director of outdoor program for Girl Scouts
of Western New York. "Campers walk away with the acceptance
and tolerance of others."
Friendship. "Knowing how to make a friend is a learned
skill for most kids," said Millen. "[Camp] helps
them develop into the best 'friend' they can be."
Role models. Steve Heiny, director at Flat Rock River YMCA Camps
in Indiana, said, strong mentor relationships can be "the
key to a healthy adult. Nothing is cooler to a twelve-year-old
than a twenty-year-old."
Leadership. Camp gives children the opportunity to step out
of their comfort zone and make decisions for themselves, "important
qualities that are needed to build future leaders of tomorrow," said
DePetrillo.
Goals. Camp gives children an awareness of their own abilities,
said Grabow. "Children at camp have to look within themselves
and reach to achieve goals that they had previously thought to
be personally unattainable. The idea of 'I can't' evolves
into 'I will.'"
Self-identity. A child figuring out who they are and that they
can make a difference is perhaps the greatest gift of all. Stein
said gifting kids with the idea that they "can serve as
a beacon for good and change in the world" is empowering
and lasting.
These are the gifts that will last a lifetime and that will
provide a lifetime of cherished memories for your child. Wrap
up the perfect gift for your child this holiday season — the
gift of camp. Print a Camp Gift Certificate, and after the holidays
you can find the perfect camp
together.
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