Nature's Classroom: Six Lifelong Benefits of Sleepaway Camp

The question of whether to send a reluctant child to sleepaway camp presents a significant parenting dilemma. Drawing on years of experience as an adventure camp director, I've seen the remarkable potential for growth — and the very real risks when children aren't emotionally ready.

Contrary to what some might expect, forcing hesitant children into wilderness camp situations often backfires spectacularly. When children feel overwhelmed by both the separation from home and anger at being forced into the experience, they may lash out at counselors and other campers — creating potentially dangerous situations in backcountry settings. I've witnessed firsthand the stress this places on everyone involved, including parents who must travel long distances to retrieve a child who cannot safely continue the program.

When children do feel ready for the challenge, however, sleepaway camp offers extraordinary benefits. Through our non-profit adventure camp, we've seen children blossom while working through social awkwardness to form lasting friendships, developing leadership skills through independent tasks, building resilience through judgment-free learning environments, mastering outdoor skills, deepening their connection with nature, and growing confidence by creating experiences entirely their own. For parents considering camp, focus first on preparing your child by developing core skills: following safety instructions, managing daily planning, contributing to team tasks, and properly packing for various conditions. Most importantly, respect your child's

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Chapters

• 0:00 Should You Force Camp Attendance?
• 1:27 Six Key Benefits of Sleepaway Camp
• 3:01 Essential Skills for Camp Readiness
• 4:38 Smart Packing Tips for Camp
• 6:48 Respecting Your Child's Feelings

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:00

As a parent, you might be tempted to send your child to sleepaway camp to build independence and resilience. However, forcing a hesitant child could do more harm than good. As the director of an adventure camp, when parents ask if they should force their child to go to sleepaway camp, my answer is no. If your child is nervous about camp and says they don't want to go, but agrees to give it a chance after a discussion, your kiddo might thrive at camp under certain conditions. Leaving home can be stressful. Going into the backcountry can be scary. Consider respecting your child's intense feelings when they insist they don't want to go to camp. Firmly resistant campers can lash out at camp counselors and other kids. When forced into the experience. This puts your child, the other children and staff at risk in a wilderness situation. We've dealt with this scenario with a teen camper, which was very stressful for everyone involved. When children become a danger to themselves and others, parents must drive or fly a long distance to pick up their child at camp. Leaving home can be stressful. Going into the backcountry can be scary. Adding additional stressors like anger and frustration over being forced into a new environment might overwhelm your child. It can be hard for your child to make friends and master new skills. Under Thank you Outdoor Adventures emphasizes that kids need to feel emotionally ready to fully embrace the camp experience. Forcing a child into a new environment like a sleepaway camp can amplify stress. Leaving home is already a big step, says child psychologist Dr Laura Markham. Adding pressure can make it hard for kids to connect and learn. Psychology Today explains that overwhelming emotions can hinder social skills and resilience building key benefits of camp. Instead, kids may shut down, missing out on forming friendships or mastering skills like teamwork and leadership. When kids are ready, sleep away camp can be transformative. Camps foster independence through tasks like setting up tents or navigating trails. Kids gain confidence by stepping outside their comfort zone, says Thompson. A well-run camp like the one we operate through the non-profit I founded and co-founded with Matthew J Barifato, will offer your child six key benefits that will last a lifetime.

Speaker 1: 2:17

Here are the six benefits of Sleepaway Camp 1. Working through social awkwardness to meet new people and make friends. 1. Working through social awkwardness to meet new people and make friends. 2. Gaining leadership, responsibility and teamwork skills by accomplishing independent and group tasks. 3. Learning new skills in a challenge-by-choice environment where kids can fail judgment-free and gain resiliency by trying again. 4. Mastering new outdoor skills. 5. Developing or deepening their relationship with nature. 6. And learning how to use nature to cope with life's stressors. Six growing confidence by stepping outside their comfort zone in several ways going to a new place far from home, meeting new friends and having independent experiences and stories to share with friends and family when they get home.

Speaker 1: 3:01

Your child should learn a few skills before going to sleepaway camp to make them better prepared and more self-reliant. Parents could start allowing their children to practice these skills well before camp. Topping the list is how to follow important safety instructions. Knowing these basic skills will help your child have a safer and more enjoyable camp experience and prepare them for other types of overnight stays without you. Teaching your children how to plan for their day is a vital sleep-away camp and life skill. While at camp, children will be asked to start their day in their water sports clothes and shoes, for example. They should know which clothes and shoes are meant for hiking, water sports and chilly nights by the campfire, and how to keep up with their belongings. For example, they should always have summer necessities in their day pack, like lip balm, sunscreen, a refillable water bottle, a sun hat, a rain jacket and closed-toed shoes in case the weather turns rainy or cold. Kids who can't follow instructions and constantly lose things aren't ready for camp and may struggle with these skills at school.

Speaker 1: 4:01

Practice team tasks at home, such as helping with chores or cooking dinner. Many children attend camp without knowing how to pitch in, such as helping with chores or cooking dinner. Many children attend camp without knowing how to pitch in, help or work together as a team. These steps build confidence, making camp feel like an adventure, not a chore. We found that kids love when it's their turn to volunteer with preparing, serving and cleaning up after meals at camp. Try this at home. Most camps provide a packing list, which we do at our adventure camp. However, many parents still have additional questions about what their child should bring to camp. So here are some general tips to help alleviate your fear of not packing enough of the things your kiddo will need and to avoid packing too much. Definitely, pack everything on the camp packing list. Pack early and double check your child's bag after you've packed it.

Speaker 1: 4:45

Pack clothes for the camp area's most extreme potential high and low temperatures. In July, the Colorado mountains, where we host our camp, range from 100 degrees Fahrenheit during the day to 32 degrees Fahrenheit at night In climates where winter conditions can occur in the summer or early fall. Bring one set of sweats with a hoodie, a waterproof jacket and a warm winter jacket. Pack a with a hoodie, a waterproof jacket and a warm winter jacket. Pack a cozy throw blanket, their favorite pajamas and a stuffed animal or doll if they're into that. Ensure they have running shoes, hiking boots with ankle support and water shoes that they can lace up or strap on. Do not wear flip-flops for water sports. Safety first. Packing correctly is crucial. Follow the camp's packing list, including clothes for extreme weather.

Speaker 1: 5:27

Avoid scented hygiene products and snacks. To prevent attracting wildlife, camp counselors should have an endless supply of healthy snacks that campers can access any time. The counselors will also take measures to store food in bear-proof containers that will not attract bears and other wildlife into sleeping areas. We don't want to attract bears or other critters to our cabins and tents, and it's too hard to search multiple acres of wooded land for lost, expensive or sentimental items, personal hygiene products that smell like fruit, honey, other foods or flowers For snacks. The camp will provide many snack and meal opportunities. Avoid bringing expensive toys. We're okay with your kiddo bringing their cell phone for selfies, but leave other costly gadgets at home, although most camps have an official photographer to capture photos of your child at camp. Pocket knives are fine for older campers, but not at camp. We prefer that you leave anything sharp at home. If your camper needs a sharp tool for an activity, the camp will provide it under supervision.

Speaker 1: 6:25

Respect your child's intense feelings against sleep-away camp. If your child resists camp, listen. Forcing kids can lead to resentment, says Markham. Psychology Today suggests gradual exposure to outdoor activities to build readiness. When kids feel in control they're more likely to embrace the camp's challenges and rewards. Over the past four years, children from all walks of life have arrived at our adventure camp and immediately bonded with camp counselors. We are often empathetic professionals, background checked, trained to listen without judgment and advise kids to talk with their parents and caregivers about the complex emotions and challenges they confess to us at camp. When done carefully, sleepaway camps and day camps can positively change a young person's life while learning new skills. After camp, parents reported improved socialization and confidence, less anxiety and depression, improved behavior and focus and a love for nature. Download this important information and other natural health and adventure sports step-by-step plans at nnblblog. And other natural health and adventure sports. Step-by-step plans at nnblblog. Be sure to catch our article in X posts formerly Twitter at nnblblog to learn archery basics From selecting a bow identifying your dominant eye. No-transcript.