Home Schooled Kids Need Summer Camp

Topic: Traditional Education

Children that are Home Schooled can benefit greatly from the summer camping experience. Despite, age, gender,grade level or religious background. Home School Summer Camps provide a special area where children can be independent, and that's a key part of growing up. Camp counselors model perseverance, listening, teamwork and appreciation of differences. Helping children see successful behavior and away from the family. This in turn brings new found independence in line with your at-home teachings. After all as parents we understand somethings just can't be taught by us.

How do you know you are picking the right camp for your homeschooler? I suggest you first look for a small camp, that can give your child individual attention. Often Home Schooled children get lost in the crowd. When picking a camp do your work in advance this will help ensure that your child has an enjoyable summer.

Summer Camp Benefits For Children Residential (overnight) camp offers home schooled children a wonderful opportunity to socialize with other children in a new and exciting environment. Often long-lasting friendships are forged at summer camps each year. Campers often return year after year making camp their summer home. Some continue on till they are past camper age and participate in a Counselor in Training program for teens or even become counselors passing on the traditions of summer camp.

Jeff Lorenz Director of Swift Nature Camp a Children's Summer Camp in Wisconsin says "Summer Camp provides children the chance to be independent and assume leadership roles. Without parents or siblings around campers often show their responsibility thus improving self-confidence when they return back home".

The many activities available at summer camp gives children the opportunities to try new things and discover new skills. From canoeing and Arts & Crafts to Swimming, Hiking and Horseback riding the list of activities available at different camps are of the utmost benefit to the children who attend.

When choosing the right summer camp Look for a program that fits your child's comfort level. If the child has never been away from home and is seven and under a day camp program may be more suitable. If your child is used to overnight sa sleepaway camp may be a better fit. Usually overnight camps start at around age 8. But do not be afraid to challenge your child by giving him or her new opportunities. As parents of a homeschooler we know our kids are a bit more attached to us than other kids. Yet we know sour goal is to get them ready to head out on their own. Summer camp is a great place to practice.

There is comfort in the familiar so pick a camp that has some activities your child feels comfortable with. Maybe a Non competitive camp would be best for your child? Traditional summer camps provides opportunities in many areas giving a child comfort in some things a child has tried before as well as activities that ask him to leave their comfort zone.

If possible take your child to an open house. This allows parents and children to come and visit for a day and tour the grounds. For other camps this is not so easy, yet they might offer a local open house to meet staff and other campers. Work weekends at camp are a great way to get to know the staff and the grounds. This is a perfect venue to put a child's fears at ease and make sure a camp is the right one. Don't pick a camp just because all your child's friends are attending. Camp is about making new friends in a new place.

Testimonials from old campers and or youth counselors are also vital tools in deciding if a camp is a good fit. Don't be afraid to ask them about their feelings and experiences. Older campers are usually happy, if not eager, to share about the role summer camp has played in their lives.

Camp accreditation is a vital step in choosing a camp. Most States have a camping regulations, which hold camps accountable. But the American Camp Association is the best source to ensure camp quality. So be sure the camps you are looking at are (ACA) approved.

Probably the most important part in selecting a summer camp is to chat with the Camp Directors. Discuss your concerns and your feelings with the camp owners. They should be able to help you feel comfortable in your decisions, if not , it's the wrong camp for YOU and your child!

For more information on

Swift Nature Camp is a Overnight Summer Camp for boys and girls ages 6-15. The focus is to blend traditional summer camp activities with that of a Science Summer Camp. A first time camper program is available as well.

by Jeffrey Lorenz

02/02/2010

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Home Schooled Kids Need Summer Camp

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