Post by Ash on Aug 13, 2009 12:51:38 GMT -5
Value of Summer Camp
Located: www.campgroup.com/advantage_value.htm
Summer camp teaches skills in a variety of disciplines - sports, the arts, business, computers and the like. However, the endurance of the summer camp phenomenon relates not to the skills that it teaches, but to the values and traits of character that it imparts. A camp experience teaches children to work together more cooperatively, resolve conflicts more effectively, assume greater responsibility, and become more self-reliant and self-confident. Indeed, in the best, most enduring camps, skill acquisition is simply another means to strengthen children's character development. These intangible benefits, while not exclusive to traditional camps, are most prevalent in the best traditional resident and day camps.
In a national survey of the largely traditional camps accredited by the ACA, camp directors reported that parents rate the most important benefits of camp to be (i) increased self-confidence and self-esteem; (ii) a safe environment; (iii) new friendships; and (iv) fun and enriching activities.
Camp remains one of the few institutions where young people can experience and satisfy their need for physical activity, creative expression and true participation in a safe community environment. The atmosphere is one in which children learn about living, working, and playing together and making positive contributions to their community. In addition, campers typically learn a healthy respect for nature. Camp also teaches the socialization skills needed to cope in the real world. At camp, many children form their deepest friendships.
The enduring value of summer camp was captured by Michael Eisner, former chairman and CEO of the Walt Disney Company and an alumnus of Camp Keeyaydin, a traditional, premium resident camp in Salisbury, VT. On March 8, 2001, Mr. Eisner delivered the keynote speech to the Tri-State Camping Conference, the largest camp conference in the world. After recounting his own experiences at camp, he provided his own take on the value of summer camp.
"No matter what the background of a child, camp opens doors, exposing children to possibilities and opportunities they might never know could be theirs. Camp transports kids with everything to a place where they have close to nothing. In so doing, it takes kids away from things they value to teach them the things of real value. When all is said and done, people of all ages want to be a part of something bigger and more important than themselves. More than anything else, this is the value that camp teaches kids. It offers them a sense of perspective and provides them with a head start on the road to becoming truly human."
Perhaps the greatest testament to the enduring, yet intangible value of a traditional summer camp experience is that many campers at today's traditional camps are the children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren of individuals who attended those same camps 25, 30 and even 75 years ago.
Located: www.campgroup.com/advantage_value.htm
Summer camp teaches skills in a variety of disciplines - sports, the arts, business, computers and the like. However, the endurance of the summer camp phenomenon relates not to the skills that it teaches, but to the values and traits of character that it imparts. A camp experience teaches children to work together more cooperatively, resolve conflicts more effectively, assume greater responsibility, and become more self-reliant and self-confident. Indeed, in the best, most enduring camps, skill acquisition is simply another means to strengthen children's character development. These intangible benefits, while not exclusive to traditional camps, are most prevalent in the best traditional resident and day camps.
In a national survey of the largely traditional camps accredited by the ACA, camp directors reported that parents rate the most important benefits of camp to be (i) increased self-confidence and self-esteem; (ii) a safe environment; (iii) new friendships; and (iv) fun and enriching activities.
Camp remains one of the few institutions where young people can experience and satisfy their need for physical activity, creative expression and true participation in a safe community environment. The atmosphere is one in which children learn about living, working, and playing together and making positive contributions to their community. In addition, campers typically learn a healthy respect for nature. Camp also teaches the socialization skills needed to cope in the real world. At camp, many children form their deepest friendships.
The enduring value of summer camp was captured by Michael Eisner, former chairman and CEO of the Walt Disney Company and an alumnus of Camp Keeyaydin, a traditional, premium resident camp in Salisbury, VT. On March 8, 2001, Mr. Eisner delivered the keynote speech to the Tri-State Camping Conference, the largest camp conference in the world. After recounting his own experiences at camp, he provided his own take on the value of summer camp.
"No matter what the background of a child, camp opens doors, exposing children to possibilities and opportunities they might never know could be theirs. Camp transports kids with everything to a place where they have close to nothing. In so doing, it takes kids away from things they value to teach them the things of real value. When all is said and done, people of all ages want to be a part of something bigger and more important than themselves. More than anything else, this is the value that camp teaches kids. It offers them a sense of perspective and provides them with a head start on the road to becoming truly human."
Perhaps the greatest testament to the enduring, yet intangible value of a traditional summer camp experience is that many campers at today's traditional camps are the children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren of individuals who attended those same camps 25, 30 and even 75 years ago.
