Posted on: Tuesday, July 9th, 2019
Why is summer camp important?
A recent article by the Child Mind Institute stated that “the average American child is said to spend 4-7 minutes a day in unstructured play outdoors, and over 7 hours a day in front of a screen.” That’s a startling statistic. Instead of just tv, our kids’ technology has grown to include phones, tablets, apps, social media and texting. Not only are kids sitting too long in front of a screen, they are not interacting with each other face to face.
Y summer camps provide a safe place for kids to get away from technology and the stresses of the outside world and allow kids to simply just be kids. We are proud and respectful of the trust parents place in our YMCA. A safe environment for children combined with quality programming is vital in our focus on youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. All camp counselors are trained in first aid, cpr, and child abuse prevention. All staff must sign and comply with our Y’s Code of Conduct and Abuse Prevention Policies. Our Y’s founding core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility are part of everything we do. Our camps give parents peace of mind knowing that their children are participating in safe, technology-free, fun and interactive activities with their peers, face to face, and having the time of their life.
Summer camp gives children the chance to try new things, to develop confidence, and to learn new skills. Kids at our camps get to try new things such as archery, rope climbing, and planting in the garden. They get to play game favorites like Gaga, Capture the Flag, and Sticks & Arrows and well as swim daily in the pool. The campers get a swim lesson in the morning, and in the afternoon, they get to hang out in the pool. And throughout all of these activites, the campers are creating amazing friendships, and memories of the best summer ever.
Camp starts in June and runs for 11 weeks through the summer. Camp offerings range from traditional camps to sports camps to enrichment camps and more for kids ranging from age 3 through teen years. To see more details on our camps and what camp would best fit your child, click on camp offerings. If you would like a private camp tour, please reach out to Member Services at one of our branches. We look forward to meeting you and providing your kids with an amazing summer.
CAMP OFFERINGS
