Camp is a longtime summer tradition for generations of families, but now more than ever children and young adults need summer camp. Two years of a global pandemic has led to increased stress and reduced social interaction for growing children of all ages. For a lot of us, our kiddos have missed out on some important milestones. Camp is a time for helping them step out of their comfort zone to embrace what being a kid is all about.
Camp Means Time Outdoors
Researchers agree that kids who play outside or even walk in nature are happier, less anxious, and more self confident. At Camp Olympia, we watch campers completely open up during their first few days at camp just from some fresh air and bright sun. The serene setting at Lake Livingston doesn’t hurt either! There’s nothing like the first taste of freedom that campers get when they embrace the wide open spaces of Camp Olympia and finally get a chance to run, jump, swim, and play.
Camp Improves Social Skills
Strong social connections are key to overall happiness. Summer camp fosters the opportunity to make new friends and reconnect with old ones, face challenges in teams or as individuals, and learn from incredible counselors. Campers socialize and learn to read body language that isn’t coming through a screen, which is crucial in child development and positive mental health. It’s time for campers to catch up on the face time they’ve missed and reintroduce team environments that are crucial to development.
Camp Fosters Community
Being a part of a community has positive effects on growth and emotional wellbeing. Campers become a part of a special community at camp. At Camp Olympia we have a decades-old Spartan and Athenian tradition that promotes a sense of belonging and teamwork. Through Spartan and Athenian tribes, campers learn to encourage one another and work together. It is about teamwork and having fun together, not just winning!
When kids don’t have regular social interaction or challenge themselves with new experiences, self-esteem and confidence decline. Summer camp helps campers get out of their shell by putting them in a new environment with its own opportunities. With counselors to guide them, campers learn new skills, gain new experiences, and discover a new part of themselves! At Camp Olympia we often watch the same campers grow year over year from age 6-16 and have the opportunity to impact the person they become. Campers leave us having gained lifelong friendships, leadership skills, and hobbies that will carry them boldly into early adulthood with confidence.
Camp Is Time To Be A Kid
These last couple of years have required this generation of kids to be resilient, and in some ways, grow up too quickly. Summer camp gives children a moment to press pause. Campers escape life stressors and enter an uplifting environment we call “The Positive Zone” where they only need to focus on having fun, being themselves, and making memories with friends. With planned activities, delicious meals, and counselors to lean on, campers become kids again. It is an encouraging place for campers to relax and grow at their own pace.
Want to know more about summer camp? Learn more about the ultimate camp experience at one of Texas’ favorite summer camps, Camp Olympia. Spend one week, two weeks or three weeks of your summer at Olympia and create memories that last a lifetime. Ready to register? Pick your preferred term to reserve your camper’s bunk!
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