Camping is always a life-changing experience for kids of all ages, and sports summer camp is no exception. Kids learn valuable skills through all kinds of experiences as they grow and mature, but it's often an experience that sticks with them for years to come. The friends, the mentors, the locations, the myriad of activities to participate in, and the supportive atmosphere leave an impression not soon forgotten. Many adults look back at their time at camp and feel some of the most important life lessons happened was positive, encouraging, and healthy.
Lesson #1 – Go Outside
The majority of humans feel better inside and out when they spend time outdoors. Sun and fresh air are key components and are important for physical, emotional, and mental development. It often releases stress and increases peace of mind.
Lesson #2 – Move
In addition to spending time outside, physical activity has a powerful affect on the mental and emotional development of kids and adults. At summer camp, there is no temptation to become a couch potato. Kids must get up in the morning, and throughout the day, they'll be given opportunities to move any way they feel is most enjoyable, whether that's hiking, running, football, basketball, soccer, swimming, or other sports.
Lesson #3 – Work as a Team
Kids are encouraged to explore and get to know themselves while also being challenged to communicate, cooperate, and connect with other children. Teamwork is a powerful lesson kids learn to define themselves individually and within the context of others. As kids move in to adulthood knowing who they are in both context is extremely important. They will be able to work well with others and succeed as a group, not just on their own.
Lesson #4 – Practice is Key
In life, everything takes practice. Even people with natural talents have to practice in order to reach their performance goals. Sports teaches kids that success isn’t going to fall form the sky--they are going to have to work for it. Focus, determination, and practice are the keys to becoming a professional athlete.
Lesson #5 – Winning Isn’t Everything, but It Is Awesome
In every sport the goal is to win, but kids are still taught winning isn’t everything. The most important thing in any game is to do your very best. No one is perfect, and teams can’t win every game, but if kids understand the importance of learning--knowing their weaknesses and strengths--and playing because they love to play, they will have the best of both worlds. Kids can learn to play with passion and realism, and when kids win a game, they get to enjoy it purely, which makes it that much more special.
CampPage.com offers a wide variety of summertime options for parents to choose from.
Sarah Benoit is an Asheville, North Carolina-based Internet marketing and web writing specialist with CampPage, an online directory that started in 1995. Sarah focuses on how parents can choose the best camps throughout the United States and Canada.