Toronto Star

FIND OUT MORE

about why your kids should attend camp this summer

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1 Have fun

Fun is the key ingredient of the summer camp experience. It’s where kids get to be kids. Young people often worry about their grades or extracurri­culars, and many battle mental health issues. Camp is a place to get outside and develop healthy attitudes.

2 Make lasting friendship­s

Every summer, camps are filled with campers and staff from across Canada and around the world. They might only see each other once a year, but they stay connected through social media and look forward to a reunion each summer. Counsellor­s serve as role models, deepening the camp experience and guiding campers’ growth.

3 Be yourself

There’s a real chance for kids to get out of their comfort zones, whether it’s their first time away from home, learning to wakesurf, or performing in front of peers. At home, kids often face pressure to fit in. At camp, personalit­ies are forged in a unique environmen­t and kids get to be themselves.

4 Learn to lead

Most camps offer a leader-in-training program, where teens are mentored and take part in experienti­al learning activities to acquire communicat­ion, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. Camp inspires kids to shape their worlds.

5 Find time to reflect

Some parents want to stay in touch through cellphones, while others seek a more unplugged experience. But all camps offer an opportunit­y for reflection, whether stargazing, sitting by a lake, or talking with a supportive counsellor. There are few places better positioned to help young people think about who they are and their place in this world. When thinking back on childhood, camp memories are often revisited as pivotal moments for personal developmen­t.

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