Summer camps are fun. So much fun, in fact, that there have been movies made on the subject. But summer camps offer way more than a fun getaway for your kids during summer, while the parents continue their usual work routine.

Summer camp activities are designed by bringing in a lot of experts. These are experts from the field of psychology, nutrition, health and wellness amongst others. The camps are designed to help children develop their personalities, learn new things and get closer to nature.

If you have ever wondered about the benefits of sending a kid to summer camp, or have a kid that you are thinking about sending to a summer camp, we list below some of the ways in which the kid will benefit from the experience.

1. Diversity

Unknowingly, we end up making friends with people who are similar to us. Similar in terms of the jobs we do, the economic class that we belong to, and even our hobbies and interests. A kid growing up in such an environment is only exposed to one kind of people. That is not the case in a summer camp. Kids from all over the region, with different backgrounds and upbringings, come to the summer camp. A kid can learn a lot more about the differences that exist in the world and how to work with people who do things that are different to how it is done back home. It also teaches them to be more accommodative about other’s differences.

2. Friends

Summer camps teach kids a lot of things, but it is also a lot of fun at the end of the day. Kids spend a lot of time with other children, taking part in group activities. This helps them meet more kids and friendships often blossom. It is a great place for kids to not just make friends, but learn with them and share experiences that they will cherish for years to come.

3. Interests

As already mentioned above, summer camps involve a lot of activities that the kids need to be a part of. Some of these activities may be something that the kids are already a fan of. But there are bound to be new things that the kids would be doing for the first time. They will be exposed to more new and fun activities that they can potentially develop an interest in. Having more interests as a kid has a great positive impact on one’s personal development.

4. Active

Some years ago, parents would have never felt the need to ask their kids to play outside because that is where kids would be playing anyway. With mobile phones and video games, things have changed. Kids spend a lot of time playing in front of their screens, indoors. With all the games and activities lined up at summer camps, kids can rediscover the joy of playing outside and can duplicate the same style of playing once they are back from the summer camp too.

5. Leadership

A lot of summer camp activities are built to enhance the personalities of the kids. Many different activities require kids to take their own decisions and face the consequences of those decisions too. This results in kids becoming more accountable, and also develop leadership skills that are very important for the future success of the kids.

6. Memories

With all the games, activities, friends and interests, kids often come back from summer camp with fond memories of the experience that they cherish for years. They remember the learnings, stay in touch with the new friends, and inculcate new patterns in their own life.

A summer camp is definitely a lot more than just fun and games. It is something that every child should experience at least once in their lives.