Feature Story

Commentary: Let the kids have their say!

With the coming of summer, parents thoughts might turn to summer camp. Summer camp can be an exciting change of pace for your child. Sending your child to camp is a great way to help improve their self-confidence and learn about the outdoors. Quite often, though, children may be reluctant to leave their home and friends to go to a strange place with unfamiliar people. Perhaps they are even leery of nature and spending lots of time outdoors.

One way to get your child more excited about going to camp is to involve them in the decision. Children will be more excited about the decision if they have the opportunity to decide what activities they will be able to participate in, what friends they may spend time with or how far away from home they will be.

Children will be far more enthusiastic about a camp that allows them to pursue an interest or enthusiasm. Your child may not like the idea of summer camp but he or she may love the notion of hockey school. Similarly, there are science camps, soccer camps and a variety of other camps you and your child may not have thought of including paintball camps and dance camps.

Allowing your child to decide what camp he or she will attend will greatly increase their enjoyment of and benefit from their summer camp experience.