What summer camp taught me? 7 Things
Summer camp is the place where boys are forged into men, where young girls go to learn values such as self-reliance and self-respect. Anyone that has been to a good summer camp will agree that it had a major impact on how he or she turned out later in life. At summer camp, you are taught many valuable lessons. However, here are the seven that we at RunRex feel you should know.
- Letter Writing
One of the oldest traditions at all summer camps is letter writing. At most summer camps, the emphasis is on simplicity. That means that campers are not allowed to bring their phones with them. The only way to communicate with family members is via a pen and paper. Campers typically write to grandma and grandpa to tell them about their adventures at the camp.
The letter writing skills that you gain while composing letters to parents and other loved ones back home become quite important later in life. Every child should put down their phone at summer camp and compose a letter. Every child should acquire this skill at summer camp. When you will need to write business letters or important emails, you will be better equipped to organize your ideas.
- Fair Play
One of the main activities at any summer camp is endless play. You can play the official summer camp games such as lacrosse, baseball, and many others. Alternatively, you can play games that you make up yourself with a given set of rules.
However, no matter which game you play, the emphasis is usually on fair play. Some of the games you play at summer camp are about winning. Others are just about playing for fun. The camp counselors are tasked with ensuring that all games are played in a fair manner. Things such as cheating are highly discouraged at the camp. After all, that would go against the values of many camps, which aim to impart positive values in kids from a young age. These values will come in handy later in life. No matter what business deal or task you are given as an adult, you will know to stay within the limitations of the law. It could help you avoid trouble with the law enforcers.
- An Appreciation for Nature
The camp is always alive with kids swimming in the lake or running around the forested areas playing games. The days are always full of things to do and see. Despite the heat of summer, most camps are well protected by pine trees. Despite all the play, you develop a deep appreciation for the peace and quiet of nature.
Removed from the loud noises of city life, the great outdoors can seem like paradises. Kids are also taught survival skills in case they are ever stranded in the wild. These skills help kids learn that they can rely on nature for anything they need. Thus, if you have been to a summer camp, you will have more inclination to protect nature.
- Kindness
At a summer camp, there are only young kids and campers present. The bonds you form are dependent on how kind you are to others. If you are not kind, you will learn that it is quite hard to make any lasting friendships. When young kids have nothing to share but their kindness, they quickly realize that it is quite a valuable asset. Learning about kindness and its value is among the joys of going to summer camp.
- How to Resolve Conflict
If you are an only child who has always received everything they wanted, you will find that it is quite different at summer camp. You will have to delay with conflicting interests of other campers. For instance, you may prefer to sleep with the light on, but others in the cabin may not like it. Over time, you will learn to develop skills on how to resolve conflicts by making compromises. It is among the most important lessons that kids learn while camping. Most kids usually learn that being petty and yelling will not get them far while at camp. A life skill that will prove quite important even later in life.
- Making Mistakes and Finding Solutions
You will make numerous mistakes while at the camp. Without your parents, it can be quite difficult to have to apply your mind for the first time. However, repetitiveness will allow you to discover that making mistakes is part of life. Summer camp teaches you that life is about making steps into the unknown. However, if you do make the wrong move, you will be better prepared to deal with the consequences.
- Do Your Share of Work
At summer camps, kids are given light duties in which to engage. They will quickly discover that if they fail to accomplish their small task, others cannot accomplish theirs. It is an important lesson about completing tasks, which you are given. For instance, kids are taught about depositing litter in the right places. If they do not do that, the summer camp they treasure will soon turn into an eyesore.
If you are thinking about taking your kids to summer camp, be sure that they will learn these skills.