Feature Story

RESEARCH: Why every child should go to camp

Summer camp! The defining Canadian growing-up experience. Generations of youngsters remember summer days at the lake, friends they made in cabins who became friends for life, wearying canoe portages and, at the end of the day, marshmallows and songs around the campfire.

But Anyone who thinks camp is all about fun and games is missing the point. When people look at camp, they see fun. But that's not what camp is about. What's really important, and the value of the experience, is what kids learn. Camp offers a place of experiential and contextual learning. The learning experiences at camp are positive, which creates powerful opportunities for acquiring and retaining knowledge.

What Parents Should Know
An extract from "What Research Tells Us About The Benefits of Summer Camp"
By Dr. Stephen Fine . Previously published by KAP Publications, Winnipeg Free Press, Vancouver Sun, Convoke Magazine (Chinese translation)

An Ipsos-Reid study in 2001 indicated that 52% of adult Ontarians attended day or residential camp as children. Those who did not attend camp themselves along with newcomers to Canada should be made aware of the potential benefits a camp can offer to their children.

Current research into summer camps confirms that camp experiences provide numerous opportunities for the development of youth.

Health and Wellbeing: Corresponding health and quality of life camp studies indicate that the vigorous outdoor activity, social interaction and balanced diet at camp can greatly improve a young person’s overall wellbeing and establish healthy life-style patterns.

Self-Esteem: Feeling good about one’s self, comes from tangible accomplishments rather than empty compliments. The diversity of camp programming allows for kids of all abilities to achieve personal bests along with peer acknowledgement.

Independence: Individual achievements experienced at a day or residence camp can help build a young person’s sense of autonomy.

Leadership: Leadership is developed by giving young people responsibilities at camp that may not be expected of them elsewhere.

Friendship Skills: Making friends is about the easiest thing to do at camp. More than anything friendships are what makes camp experience so unforgettable.

Adventure and Exploration: Magnificent landscapes, exciting activities, and taking healthy risks in a controlled environment allows a safe yet challenging outlet for the natural human instinct to explore.

Read more from Dr. Stephen Fine and other experts on what research tells us about the learning benefits of summer camp here.