Tag: value of summer camp

Playing Outside at Camp Weequahic

April 13th, 2015

Attention kids: if you’re still trying to find ways to convince your parents to send you to Camp Weequahic, you’re in the right place! You’ve worked hard in school; maintained good grades, stayed out of trouble (for the most part) picked up extra chores around the house, and have left pictures of camp all over the house as subtle reminders. But if you really want to spend next summer at camp, you have to think like a parent. Parents care about your health and safety (boring, we know) but they are very concerned about you being healthy and productive people. So….if going to camp was actually good for your health, they couldn’t say no, right?!

Present them with this scientifically proven information about how playing outside is good for your health, and that if you spend next summer at camp, you promise to spend most of your time outside!

It’s Good For Your Eyes- A study by Optometry and Vision Science found that kids who play outside have better vision that kids who spend a lot of time staring at TV, cell phone and computer screens

It’s Great For Socialization– (Use the word socialization, it sounds impressive!) When you play outside, you have to learn to take turns and communicate with others in a way that is healthy and productive. It also allows you to exercise your imagination! Playing outside gives you the chance to interact with your peers and learn socially acceptable behavior.

Pay Attention- Do your parents seem to tell you to “pay attention!” all the time? Explain that if you went to summer camp and played outside, you would also be working on increasing your attention span. Studies show playing outside in natural settings has been effective in reducing attention deficit symptoms in children. Explain to your parent that you’re not just going to camp for you, but also so you can be a more attentive child to them.

Reduce Stress– Studies also show playing outdoors lowers stress levels. You’ve spent the last ten months studying, working, learning, testing, reading, writing and doing math formulas. That is a lot of stress on a developing brain. Spending the summer at Camp Weequahic involve a lot of outdoor play, and also serves as a stress reliever. (Throw in there what a stress free summer your parents could have if they knew you were having the time of your life in a safe and fun place, AND improving your health at the same time!)

Playing Outdoors is Like Taking Vitamins!- Remind your parents about how the doctor recommended that you take your vitamins, and then remind them that natural sunlight provides vitamin D, a vitamin responsible for preventing future bone problems, diabetes and heart disease. Going to camp and swimming, boating, biking, climbing and running outside is just what the doctor ordered!

Exercise– All of the activity you will be doing at camp is incredible exercise, and is a great way to keep your body weight down, heart rate up and muscles tone. It’s good for your lungs and heart to play outside. Staying active outside is great for your immune system. Expose to natural elements outside reduces the chances you’ll develop autoimmune disorders and allergies. Being outside keeps you from getting sick!

Armed with this information, you are now ready to present your parents with professional, realistic and scientifically proven reasons why , as responsible and loving parents, they really have to let you go to camp!

Good luck, and see you at Camp Weequahic!

Why Working at a Camp Is Better Than an Internship

April 6th, 2015

According to statistics, there are an estimated 1.2 million camp staff in the United States, and the numbers continue to grow steadily. Now, you might think – “why should I get a camp job over an internship?” Well, working at a camp gives you the opportunity to earn more than just cash. Internships are all about gaining skills and that’s exactly what working at a camp provides, but the question here is that how working at a camp is better than an internship?

The biggest reason why it is better is because working in a camp helps you develop skills that will not only build your resume, but also last you a long time to come. You have the opportunity to lead from the front and solve problems, in addition to fulfilling your responsibilities with utmost sincerity. A camp simply offers real-life experiences that cannot be learnt behind an office desk.

Benefits of Working at a Camp

There are many benefits you can gain by working at a camp. Below we have listed some of the most common:

You develop better self-understanding
You enhance personal growth
You master problem-solving skills
Have positive and significant influence in the lives of children
You expand/develop a network of peer relations.

How is Working at a Camp Better than an Internship?

Here are a few convincing reasons you should consider working at a camp:

It Builds Character Along with Your Resume

If you do not have character, your resume is pretty much useless. If you make a comparison, you will notice that most interns count the minutes until they are finally done with work, and on the other hand, camp counselors and camp staff dedicate their summers. So, why do they do it? That’s simply because they enjoy what they do. When you work at a camp, you learn to dedicate your time for things besides yourself, as you have the opportunity to deal with adults, kids and other counselors.

It’s Not Only about the Money

When you work at a camp, you not only show up every morning because you are getting good money. You show up because your job involves spreading smiles and happiness. You are not confined to an undersized desk, relentlessly waiting for payday.

You Make Kids Smile Instead of Customers

It’s not uncommon to come across interns pretending to be extra nice, so that they can make a sale. A camp job, however, revolves around campers and making them happy. Getting an authentic laugh or smile out of a camper is something more pleasing and enjoyable than selling a particular product to a random guy.

You Learn to Be Selfless Not Selfish

While interns spend most of their time pretending to be busy or surfing the web, every minute you spend in camp is devoted to the campers. Each minute of your time is spent for others, not just for yourself. After all, have you ever seen an intern worrying about the progress of their company they work for, as much as they do for themselves?

So, if you have been considering a job, why not go for it, as you will gain experience and skills that will definitely be of use to you in the future.

Benefits of High Ropes Course Activities at Camp

February 23rd, 2015

As you already know, summer camp is filled with fun-filled activities through which your kids can learn numerous skills and experiences. The high ropes course at camp is no different either, as it keeps your child in great shape, and provides several benefits from both physical and mental aspects.

Physical Benefits

The most noticeable benefits are physical as climbing is an intense sport that requires strength, flexibility and proper coordination. Since the activity involves kids, summer camps keep the challenges to a manageable level and even though it may not seem as intense as gymnastics or running, it definitely keeps the body and muscles healthy. Additionally, climbing also effectively complements other sports, which means you can expect to see a massive improvement in the kids’ performance while they play their favorite sports.

Mental Benefits

Since high ropes course activities require intense focus and effective strategies to make it to the top, campers who have problems concentrating can enhance their concentration. However, that’s not all, as the problems they encounter along the way, and plans they make to overcome them, build planning and problem solving abilities in your child. Not to worry though, counselors and camp staff are always around to look after them.

Other Benefits

Apart from these two benefits, high ropes is not competitive. It’s important to understand that not every child feels comfortable when it comes to being competitive at any sport. High ropes can provide a good opportunity for campers to reap the benefits the sport has to offer. Though there is no competition involved, there are several other kids participating, thus you can expect an improvement in your child’s social skills.

There are several benefits your child can gain by participating in high ropes activities at camp. Hopefully, you will find this information useful as it aims to convince parents to encourage campers to take part in this highly adventurous activity.