A TO Z benefits of summer camp

Spring is in the air...which means summer isn't far off! As the days get longer and warmer, kids can't help but anticipate the carefree months of summer ahead. For you, the summer anticipation includes planning what the kids will do with their time--summer school, summer day camp, sleep-away camp, swimming lessons, vacation? 

As we remember from our childhoods, summer is a special time for kids, a time for self-discovery and making memories. Summer camp provides a unique, enriching environment for this experience, and the benefits of participating in a quality summer camp stretch far beyond the memories. 

According to the American Camp Association, a 100-year-old organization of camp professionals committed to preserving, promoting and improving the camp experience, summer camp helps children build personal competencies reflected in the four "C's" of the camp community: compassion, contribution, commitment, and character. 

Camp counselors provide children with a network of caring adults to look up to, and an organized camp program creates a safe environment for discovery and exploration. 

The ACA lists the following benefits and anticipated outcomes of the camp experience:

Social Skills Development

• Leadership 
• Communication 
• Participation 

Self-Respect and Character Building 

• Responsibility 
• Resourcefulness
• Resilience 

Community Living/Service Skills 

• Caring 
• Fairness 
• Citizenship
• Trustworthiness 

Developing these key life skills and character traits at a young age gives children an advantage as they grow and mature. 

Fairmont is proud to offer a Summer Program that is accredited by the American Camp Association. This summer we're hitting the road for a cross-country trip across the USA.  It's going to be  wild ride of fun and learning!  Find out more and enroll by visiting our summer programs website or check out our Pinterest board for the inspiration behind this year's Roadtrip USA theme.

Contributed by Danyelle, Fairmont Private Schools