Five Ways Overnight Camp Can Increase Your Child’s Self-Confidence
All children deserve to feel confident, independent and secure in who they are. Unfortunately, many young people face roadblocks in this development. Social pressures, academic expectations, competition from peers, bullying, and online activities can all lead to lower self-confidence in a child. This is not an uncommon occurrence.
Many children struggle with feeling confident and competent in their daily life. Self-confidence comes from a place of positive reinforcement and achievements, big and small. Children need a space where they can explore their identities, develop skills, and make friends.
Camps can provide that space. Sending your child to a summer camp not only takes them away from outside pressures, but also gives them the experiences and exercises they need to build and strengthen their confidence.
Camps Teach Independence
Sending your child to summer camp may be the first time they’ve been away from home – but this is not a cause for concern. Most children experience some degree of homesickness the first few days at camp. Our camp professionals expect this and are trained to help them work through any homesickness, while focusing on adjusting to camp life. Dealing with homesickness is just one important step in developing a sense of independence.
At camp, children will have to make decisions for themselves, from what to eat for dinner to what activities they want to participate in for the day. This is a vital life skill that all people need to develop. Camp provides a space for children to naturally grow into their own identities and become more self-sufficient, increasing confidence.
Camp Counselors Provide Mentorship
At camp, your child will be under the supervision of older camp counselors. Usually, these counselors are young adults who developed a passion for camp life after spending a few summers experiencing camp programs. These counselors lead activities, take children out in nature, supervise meals, and provide assistance when a camper needs help.
Most children do not have mentors around this age at home, making counselors seem like cool role models and strong leaders. They might even inspire your child to pursue a new interest and build their own self-esteem!
Camps Help Children Form Social Connections
Isolation can reduce a child’s self-confidence significantly. If they’re stuck at home for the summer and do not have regular social interactions, their self-esteem can decline during those lonely months. Sending your child to camp will enable them to have structured social connections and make new friends. For children, friends are crucial to building self-confidence and affirming their own interests. At camp, your child will meet other children from all kinds of backgrounds that they might never have met – and they could meet someone just like them! Additionally, as they learn new skills and experience camp together while living in a cabin, they naturally form closer bonds than at home.
Camps Serve as Creative Outlets
Many camps have a wide range of creative activities for children to enjoy. From painting to theater to arts and crafts, camps provide an easy, creative outlet for your child to explore a new interest or dive deeper into a passion. Art provides multiple benefits for children, sparking imaginations and encouraging creative expression.
Camps also provide a safe space for children to explore their creative side freely. Many camps pair children together to write their own sketches, come up with talent show acts, or complete a craft project. Not only will your child grow closer to their fellow campers, but they might discover a new talent they’re proud of!
Camps Help Young People Disconnect
Camps provide one major benefit to parents worried about their child’s technology use: camps are often completely screen-free. In today’s society, nearly everyone has a cell phone. These devices change the way children interact with one another. They can experience bullying and violent conflicts. In addition, their communication skills may not be very strong, which leads to lower self-confidence.
At camp, your child will not have exposure to these digital screens. They will avoid the online bullying and speak to others face to face. Without the screens, children can have calm conversations, learn valuable conflict resolution techniques, and hone their communication skills. As a better communicator, your child will develop a greater sense of self-confidence.
Choose Falcon Camp Today
Despite the benefits these spaces can provide, only 25% of American children attend summer camps and learning programs. Help boost your child’s confidence today by enrolling at Falcon Camp in Carrollton, Ohio. We offer traditional summer camp programming for children ages 6 to 16!
Contact Falcon Camp today to learn more about our program and enrollment process.
Sources:
https://www.campexperts.com/blog/how-summer-camp-for-kids-builds-self-esteem/
https://www.workingmother.com/content/10-tips-helping-your-child-build-self-confidence
