When you picture a sleepaway camp, you may think of cabins, campfires, friendship bracelets, and the Parent Trap. While you might not be exactly wrong about the nostalgic smells, feelings, and sights of sleepaway camp, you may be forgetting about some of the lifelong benefits that sleepaway camps bring to children. We are here to talk through the benefits of sleepaway camp, and why, even though it’s scary to let your child go off on their own for a week, it’s worth it in the long run.
A Break From Technology
Now, while technology might not be banned from all sleepaway camps (for example, at Signature Sports Camps, we limit technology to dorms or cabins during downtime), a full camp schedule will keep your camper busy throughout the day. This schedule, in its nature, makes it extremely hard for a kid to be on their phone, even if they wanted to! Camps may have the hybrid approach (limited screentime to certain times) to help you stay connected with your camper for check-ins or may ban technology altogether.
Camp is just about the only time for children to put their phones, laptops, and tablets down: at school, technology is used for learning, at home children want to stay connected with friends or pop culture, and when kids are out and about parents need to access technology to make sure they are safe. It’s always around! But at camp, children have a busy schedule of camp activities, sports, and social time to be themselves and escape from the pressures of social media, school work, and constantly being connected.
Develop an Appreciation for Nature
Spending time outdoors is a core part of the sleepaway camp experience. Whether your child is playing sports, on the water boating, or hiking through the woods… campers are outside and connected to nature. Maybe that’s learning how to coexist with sealife around the lake or packing up your trash to “leave no trace” on a hike. The camp schedule keeps kids active, outside, and growing an appreciate for all aspects of nature.
Discover New Hobbies
Sleepaway camp is awesome because there’s so many activities all bunded together in one place. What other place in the world has sailing, paddle boarding, sports, hiking, waterfalls, ropes courses, games, and so much more right at your fingertips? Why not try it all? Better yet, campers are exploring all of these new activities with new friends from all over the country. A lot of times, campers try a sport at camp, and go home and try out for that team because they had such a great time!
Gain Independence
Maybe we should move this topic up to number one. Our favorite benefit of sleepaway camp is the newfound independence that our campers show in even one week! They are on their own, making their own decisions when it comes to eating, making their schedules, and making new friends. They are inspired by counselors or coaches who turn into their role models while away from home.
Sure some kids get homesick, but they always get through it. They learn to lean on their friends, face a little adversity, and they learn to get through it. Even if a camper goes home due to homesickness (very rare), they can always come back next year and give it another shot. Going away to sleepaway camp gives campers the opportunity to get out of their comfort zone, gain independence, and come back home stronger and more confident.
Unpopular Opinion: Gives Mom and Dad a Nice Break
Okay, this article was titled “5 Benefits of Sleepaway Camp You Might Not Expect”… so we had to say something you wouldn’t expect. One of the most exciting things to parents at drop off: a week of date nights, outings with friends… hey, even scheduling that massage that you haven’t been able to get to! When your kids are having a blast at summer overnight camp, you get to have a nice little break and enjoy some independence! That’s what we call a win/win.
Sleepaway Camp Offers More Than Fun
While you might picture tie-dye shirts and campfire songs when you think of sleepaway camp, don’t forget about the life-changing benefits it provides. From unplugging from technology to gaining independence and discovering new hobbies, camp helps kids grow in ways that last a lifetime.
Ready to learn more about Signature Sports Camps? Explore our camp locations, find the perfect camp for your child, and register today. Let’s create summer memories that matter!
