For Release March 25, 2010
Contact: Tammy Roche, (814) 452-1432 or 566-9597
Summer Day Camp Helps Shape Personal Development of Kids and Teens, Experts Say
Kids just don’t seem to play like they used to.
Decades ago, kids would take to the outdoors during the summer months. Today, many kids are more disconnected from nature and are less engaged in outside activities. According to the American Camp Association, children have lost 12 hours of free time a week over the last 20 years – eight of these lost hours were once spent in unstructured play and outdoor activities.
But getting outdoors is essential to developing the spirit, mind and body of school age children and teens, says YMCA of Greater Erie Vice President of Childcare Tina Carter and camping is an ideal setting for doing just that.
“Camping is synonymous with personal development. It provides kids with the opportunity to practice social and decision making skills that are new to them,” says Carter. “Kids come to camp and make new friends, learn new skills, handle new responsibilities, and make memories that will last a lifetime.”
Attending summer camp can impact kids and teens in several important ways:
Kids learn when given a break from their daily routine. Camp offers kids and teens productive “unstructured” time and the independence to help make decisions they don’t typically experience at home or in school.
- Lifelong memories are made at camp. The YMCA of Greater Erie’s 11 Camp locations are the ideal environment for developing new skills, making new friends and learning from other campers and counselors, and making new friends to share it all with.
- Decision-making skills are learned through experience. At camp, kids and teens learn and practice how to make smart choices, solve problems, and work as a team toward common goals. These skills are essential to character development.
- At camp, kids and teens develop confidence by trying and learning new things, including adventurous outdoor activities that can lead to healthy, life-long habits.
- Camp is the perfect environment for increasing kids and teens’ awareness and appreciation of nature and the great outdoors.
The YMCA of Greater Erie provides fun and educational summer camp options that get kids and teens outdoors. The YMCA’s wide menu of summer activities offers families to plan a varied, fun summer all at one place. Traditional Day Camp offers a summer full of nature, water fun, games, field trips, sports, arts and crafts, and new friendships. Themed Specialty Camp allows children to make new discoveries and explore activities of interest such as a variety of sports, art/theater/music, science and more.
The YMCA of Greater Erie offers leadership opportunities through our Counselor in Training program (13-17 years). This unique program teaches teens how to be camp counselors. Make new friends through teambuilding, competition games and social activities. Shadow camp leaders and gain practical hands-on experience.
Families interested in learning more about the YMCA of Greater Erie’s summer camp, should visit www.ymcaerie.org or call a location of choice.
About the YMCA of Greater Erie: The YMCA of Greater Erie is to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all.
For 150 years, the YMCA of Greater Erie has been dedicated to building strong kids, strong families and strong communities with a mission to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build a healthy spirit, mind and body for all it. Is also the belief of the YMCA that no one should ever be denied services because of inability to pay. Additionally, our income-based membership ensures that everyone can belong to the YMCA.
Our four convenient locations throughout the Erie region offer programs for all ages from our creative and fun youth sports programs to a wide variety of active older adults classes. Our award winning early learning care for children is offered at twenty locations throughout Erie County. A fit lifestyle and a philosophy dedicated to honesty, caring, respect and responsibility, the YMCA of Greater Erie celebrates a century and a half of services to our community.
To learn more visit http://www.ymcaerie.org