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Summer camp is a place of active learning that occurs on many levels, explains academic and camp owner Stephen Fine. His 2005 PhD thesis examined residential summer camp as a unique learning environment.
"Camps are a special place to learn. Kids who find it difficult to learn in another setting will often succeed at camp," Fine says. "Camp directors will tell you that kids with attention deficit disorders do very well in a camp setting. This is anecdotal, but the sentiments are quite common."
From his research, Fine found that learning at camp occurs in three areas—personal, social and physical—with strong carryover into school studies.
Personal
"At camp, children learn they have the capability to do things on their own," Fine says.
Kids at residential camp are responsible for their own space and know that others depend on them to carry out certain duties. "This type of experience starts to change a child's whole self-concept and their sense of who they are and what they can do."
Whereas schools applaud good marks, camp acknowledges and rewards a broader range of accomplishments, Fine says. "It creates an environment where every child can feel valued for their contribution. Camp is very fulfilling on a personal level."
Personal growth also comes through being separated from parents and the security of home, Fine adds. "It's important for kids to be away from their parents and family. It allows them to understand that they can stand on their own two feet."
Social
"Children meet people at camp they may not come into contact with in their everyday lives. It breaks down barriers that kids often put up between each other. The school cliques don't operate at camp," Fine says.
Campers come together from different parts of the city, the province, the country or even the world to be part of a supportive community. "At camp you work as a team. It builds social capital. It teaches you how to be a good citizen. Camp teaches you how to be successful in life."
Social bonds between campers are often deep and lasting. "Lifelong friendships are made at camp. Supportive networks are created that continue throughout life for some," Fine says. "Very strong and lasting lessons about how to be a contributing member of a community are made at camp. You can interview people 20 years after they have gone to camp and they will tell you about their experience at camp with great clarity."
Physical
Kids quickly become aware of their physical prowess and their ability to challenge themselves in various ways, Fine says. "Children become strong very quickly. They are moving all day at camp. They are active from the moment they get out of bed."
Whatever physical activity campers are participating in—swimming, horseback riding, rock climbing or hiking—developing strength and setting and accomplishing physical challenges builds a great deal of confidence, Fine says. "This self-confidence transfers to other areas of a child's life."
Fine, who is also chair of education and research for the Ontario Camping Association and owner of Hollows Camp in Ontario, strongly believes campers can transfer what they've learned at camp to many other settings now and later. As he sees it, camp offers boundless chances to learn. "Camps can create many curriculum-related learning opportunities, whether it's earth science, music, theatre, physics, art or math," Fine says. "The camp classroom is effective because it is situated learning. What they are learning becomes real for kids and they never forget it."
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