11 Benefits of Summer Camp

We are quickly approaching the summer months, during which I – and many others here at International Language Camps – will witness camps in action, and have the pleasure of hearing/reading feedback from a lot of parents and campers.

And while it’s always amazing to see just how many students are having a great time with their camp experiences, it’s the benefits and the outcomes; the stories of positive impact that really stand out.

While that is a lot of young minds absorbing the benefits of their CAMP experiences, that’s even more parents witnessing growth and development in their children. Thus, there is plenty of feedback to draw from and report on, from one summer alone.

So, I put this together because it’s important that parents understand everything camp has to offer. Many ask, “what is summer camp like?” and while the answers out there are good, there is another layer to consider.

I’ve heard from friends and family that the decision to send kids to a summer program really comes down to whether or not they can fit camp into their busy schedules, or, if there is a week or two during the summer where they’ll need daycare. Similarly, the thought that camp can actually be a learning or growth experience doesn’t factor into the equation as much as it should.

That’s unfortunate!

That said, I get it. If you have kids, you might think sending them to camp with other kids to play, have fun, learn, interact, etc. isn’t much different from a school experience, right? Thus, any benefits from camp could probably be attained from school, so why bother?

Well, truth be told, there are many benefits exclusive to the summer camp experience.

Why is Summer Camp Important?

Summer camp is important because it offers a structured opportunity for children to grow. Kids go from home to school to extracurriculars, with each environment contributing to their development. Summer camp, then, is another unique venue for growth, allowing kids to become independent and self-confident, while socializing and making new friends, and even learning new skills.

Summer Camp Benefits

1. Camp Helps Kids Build a Unique Interest

There aren’t many schools that offer video game design for kids, archery, or entrepreneurship. But, there are a number of camps that specialize in these activities (up to 14,000 camps in the US actually, as estimated by the American Camp Association).

So if your child has an interest in anything outside of the core school subjects or sports, where do they go to learn or gain experience? There might be a few after-school options like a robotics club, etc., but even then, you’re adding one more thing onto the plate of a student who already has homework and other commitments to juggle.

So, camp is one very good, distraction-free option, and allows for a time for kids to kick the tires on a new interest. From there, you never know what that interest might turn into….

2. Camp Reinvents and Eliminates Categories

I updated this post specifically to include this bit I came across from Parent Guide News:

“Students often attend school year after year with the same peers, which can lead to labeling and being ‘stuck’ with a particular perception. A child may become known as studious, quiet, etc., when, really, he can be boisterous in another setting. Children who go to day or sleepaway camps meet a whole other group of people in a different environment. Often times, a child will break out of his supposed categorization if given the chance.”

That is such a great point and something I’ve experienced personally, both through making changes in myself and witnessing changes through peers. Summer camp really can change lives.

We’ve all been shaped by our environments in one way or another, but when that shaping forms someone into a permanent, ill-fitting configuration, it’s difficult for them to “break out” unless they get out.

Camp allows kids to get out…and into an environment filled with others who see what is in front of them, rather than what they’ve been trained to see through years of false reinforcement.

Download our brochure to learn about getting your child started in a summer program.

3. Camp Allows for a Deep Dive Into New Skills

Even if your school does offer “different” activities, summer camp allows for a deeper dive.

Think about giving your child a week or more to be immersed in coding, or specific skill-building in a sport like Lacrosse. These opportunities exist at camp, and it’s tough to find such focused activity elsewhere. (Not to mention that if it is something like coding you choose this summer, there are a number of benefits of technology for children, on top of the camp benefits!)

Plus, kids and teens are able to really get out of their comfort zone to take some risks with their skills, without the looming fear of failure and resulting repercussions.

Summer Camp Benefit Quotes 1

4. Camp Leads to a New Type of Friendship-Building

Also, it’s not only a week engrossed in one particular sport, or subject, but it’s jumping into an activity with other kids serious enough about it to attend camp (just like your child).

I’ve heard it a million times from campers: “I’m in my element” or, “I’ve found my people!” Students who interact with like-minded peers are able to easily build friendships (potential lifelong friendships) rooted in similar interests. These relationships can lead to even more, as students are essentially networking, and have names to call on when it comes to doing a side project, finding an internship, or even starting a new businesses with the friend they met at Language summer camp, or wherever.

Value-Of-ACA-graphic-810
Statistics above are from the ACA Youth Outcomes Study.

5. Camp Helps with Mental Stimulation & Physical Activity

We are all familiar with summer learning loss, summer brain drain, the slide, or whatever you want to call it. Many of us probably also feel that kids don’t get enough physical activity during the summer months as well.

Camp can get kids going, both mentally and physically. Have a child who loves video games? Who doesn’t? Camp will allow kids to get off of couches and into courses that teach them how to make games instead of simply playing. Camp will also allow for physical activity no matter their camp of choice.

6. Camp Reinforces Independence and Empowerment

Even if you think your kids are independent, nothing brings out and tests that independence more than giving them time away from you, on their own.

Without mom or dad around, who is going to make your child’s decisions? Who is going to tell them to brush their teeth? Make the bed? At camp, they themselves are.

Camp allows for a chance for children to truly understand the thought that goes into making a good decision, and will discover even more about themselves in the process. Not to mention (ear muffs for those parents who think they should be the only source of guidance for their kids), children can also lean on peers for support, if they do need additional help. There are a number of other life skills kids and teens can establish at camp, too.

7. Camp Allows for Confidence to be Reinforced by Success

With activity and growth comes success or failure. Whether it is Climbing or Rafting, each activity comes with its own set of mini milestones and tests. Some of these activities might be brand new to your child, while others could be extensions of what they already know.

Maybe they’ve never played tennis before, or perhaps they’ve played tennis but have never attempted an overhand serve. By getting out on the court and learning to play tennis, or even putting together some form of an overhand serve, an increase in confidence will result. From there, your student leaves camp with internal support strong enough to compel them to try out for the school tennis team…and then who knows what they will become.

Summer Camp Benefits Quote 2

8. Camp Leads to Creativity, Free of Judgement

Technically a skill, I could have put this bit on creativity in the above section. But, it’s important enough to stand on its own.

Creativity can’t be stifled at camp because students don’t have to worry about getting a failing grade, as mentioned above. It is only when kids are free of such restriction that their creativity can flourish.

9. Camp Builds All-Around Resilience

This is a culmination of many of the above benefits. New friendships, confidence, independence, sense of belonging. All of these things contribute to the development of your child as they make strides from being a kid to a strong, considerate, competent adult.

10. Camp Instills Appreciation and Gratitude

And let’s not forget, time away from home helps kids appreciate home, their parents, their belongings, a meal cooked by mom or dad, and everything else they don’t have at camp.

Unfortunately, the appreciation doesn’t last long in most kids, and might take more than a week away for them to truly appreciate all that’s given to them on a daily basis. But, appreciation definitely takes shape at camp.

Summer Camp Benefits Quote 3

11. Camp is Fun and Entertaining (of Course!)

I put this last for a reason. Not because it isn’t important, but because I want to solidify the idea that there are many factors that go into the decision to send your child to camp, and it shouldn’t hinge solely on whether or not they need to be entertained for a week, month, etc.

Summer camp is many things. If you regularly send your kids to camp, now you have a few new benefits to look out for, and harvest in your children.

If you send your son or daughter to camp to have fun, that is great! But also try and prep them beforehand to ensure they maximize their ability to attain the benefits above.

And last, if you haven’t yet sent your child to camp, and you’re wondering what summer camp does for kids, I hope this helps in your future planning.

Next step? Just think about camp differently.

Megève and its history

The winter sports resort of Megève was created in the inter-war period by a branch of the Rothschild family.

The resort grew and in 1933 a cable car to Rochebrune was built. Three years later this allowed the resort to be connected to Mont d’Arbois.

The first ski competition was created in 1914 and many pictures reflect this period of discovery and development. Farmers invented the ski-lifts, almost everything would be tested. A woman journalist would energize and illuminate the village through her texts; she was to become a ‘grand dame’ of Megève with her influence. Mathilde Maige-Lefournier was a mountaineer from Chambery. In November 1913 she wrote an article for the magazine The Mountain entitled “Megève or the glorification of ski” which glorified the ski sites of Mont d’Arbois and Rochebrune. One day she remarked to a hotel owner in the village, “I think Megève was created for skiing and skiing was invented for Megève.”: a spotlight which influenced and made the village, already a mecca for winter sports.

 

The arrival of the Rothschild family in Mont d’ Arbois would accelerate the development of skiing in Megève. Village farmers invested in the Rochebrune sector, notably with the construction of the first cable car for use by skiers, the famous “red bucket” in 1933. In 1923 it was the birth of the Megève Sports Club which saw great champions emerge. Emile Allais, a native son of Megève, was a triple medallist at the World Ski Championships in Chamonix in 1937. The famous Aallard stretch ski-pant was invented in 1930. This dynamism made ​​the resort famous and its rise was meteoric.

 

Megève and its village

Two hours from Lyon lies the most authentic mountain village in the Alps. Skiing in Megève is 445 kms of slopes in an exceptional setting, but not only this: gastronomy, events, shopping and relaxing in the paradise of ‘après-ski’ nestled in the heart of the Mont Blanc Region.

Megève: A village in the heart of the Evasion Mont Blanc ski area

Come and experience the unparalleled skiing in an area that combines slopes, forest, alpine farms and sunny terraces on several mountain ranges. Suitable for families who find Megève’s gentle slopes reassuring to have fun with the kids. Lovers of the great outdoors will prefer the Cote 2000 mountain range which enjoys good snow thanks to its exposure. Freestyle fans are not left out with a dedicated area that allows them to jump safely onto a giant air bag. You’ll soon understand that in Megève a ski paradise awaits you at just 180 kms from Lyon.

Discover Megève

Megève is a typical village in Haute-Savoie that will leave its mark. With an exceptional history and heritage, the village has a soul which goes far beyond the images we have of this unique place. Ambassador of local cuisine revisited by Michelin-starred chefs, this is a destination that lives every season. Cultural and sporting events punctuate the local life and in Megève everyone can find an emotion that they will remember. It’s up to you to discover the legend behind Megève

 

Megève is also:

– A casino, bars, clubs

– Ambassador of wellbeing spas and relaxation areas

– Swimming pools, skating rinks, curling

– Dog sled

– An airfield

 

Coming to Megève

By car

Distances

  • 70 km from Geneva.
  • 180 km from Lyon.
  • 272 km from Milan.
  • 600 km from Paris .
  • 760 km from Lille.
  • 1000 km from London.

 

Motorways

  • Paris – Sallanches : A6 + A40 .
  • Calais / Paris / Macon / Annecy / Sallanches : A26 + A1 + A6 + A40 .
  • Lyon / Chambéry / Annecy / Sallanches : A43 + A41 + A40 .
  • Lyon / Chambéry / Albertville : A43 + A430 .
  • Geneva / Sallanches : A40 .

 

By train

Tel: 36 35

www.voyages -sncf.com

 

  • Sallanches Train Station
  • 12 km from Megève.
  • Direct TGV during the weekends in winter. Frequent bus service to transfer from Sallanches .
  • SNCF Boutique
  • Megève Bus Station.

Open daily (except Sundays during school holidays) from 9:10am to 12pm and 2pm to 6.10pm.

  • Off season: open only on Fridays from 9:10am to 12pm and 2pm to 6.10pm.

 

By taxi

With the company RSERVICES : www.rservices.fr

Tel: + 33 (6) 14 35 36 12

 

By plane

– Geneva Airport

Tel: 0041 22 717 71 11

Fax: 00 41 22 788 00 82

International flights, 87 km from Megève.

10 good reasons to learn French

1. A world language

More than 200 million people speak French on the five continents. The Francophonie, the international organisation of French-speaking countries, comprises 68 states and governments. French is the second most widely learned foreign language after English, and the ninth most widely spoken language in the world. French is also the only language, alongside English, that is taught in every country in the world. France operates the biggest international network of cultural institutes, which run French-language courses for more than 750,000 learners.

2. A language for the job market

An ability to speak French and English is an advantage on the international job market. A knowledge of French opens the doors of French companies in France and other French-speaking parts of the world (Canada, Switzerland, Belgium, and North and sub-Saharan Africa). As the world’s fifth biggest economy and number-three destination for foreign investment, France is a key economic partner.

3. The language of culture

French is the international language of cooking, fashion, theatre, the visual arts, dance and architecture. A knowledge of French offers access to great works of literature, as well as films and songs, in the original French. French is the language of Victor Hugo, Molière, Léopold Sendar Senghor, Edith Piaf, Jean-Paul Sartre, Alain Delon and Zinedine Zidane.

4. A language for travel

France is the world’s number-one tourist destination and attracts more than 70 million visitors a year. A little French makes it so much more enjoyable to visit Paris and all the regions of France (from the mild climes of the Cote d’Azur to the snow-capped peaks of the Alps via the rugged coastline of Brittany) and offers insights into French culture, mentality and way of life. French also comes in handy when travelling to Africa, Switzerland, Canada, Monaco, the Seychelles and other places.

5. A language for higher education

Speaking French opens up study opportunities at renowned French universities and business schools, ranked among the top higher education institutions in Europe and the world. Students with a good level of French are eligible for French government scholarships to enrol in postgraduate courses in France in any discipline and qualify for internationally recognised French degrees.

6. The other language of international relations

French is both a working language and an official language of the United Nations, the European Union, UNESCO, NATO, the International Olympic Committee, the International Red Cross and international courts. French is the language of the three cities where the EU institutions are headquartered: Strasbourg, Brussels and Luxembourg.

7. A language that opens up the world

After English and German, French is the third most used language on the Internet, ahead of Spanish. An ability to understand French offers an alternative view of the world through communication with French speakers from all the continents and news from the leading French-language international media (TV5, France 24 and Radio France Internationale).

8. A language that is fun to learn

French is an easy language to learn. There are many methods on the market that make learning French enjoyable for children and adults alike. It does not take long to reach a level where you can communicate in French.

9. A language for learning other languages

French is a good base for learning other languages, especially Romance languages (Spanish, Italian, Portuguese and Romanian) as well as English, since fifty per cent of current English vocabulary is derived from French.

10. The language of love and reason

First and foremost, learning French is the pleasure of learning a beautiful, rich, melodious language, often called the language of love. French is also an analytical language that structures thought and develops critical thinking, which is a valuable skill for discussions and negotiations.