Article
By Marla Coleman
It's tough to be a kid these days. It's tough to be a parent. In a evening! They have the best of both worlds—the camp
society where the nature of the family, the work place, and the community which is built exclusively for kids and their own home
community have changed dramatically, we can no longer assume which provides the security they need at a tender age.
that the natural process of growing up will provide children the
experiences and the resources they need to become successful, One day camp parent said, “While my children and I are
contributing adults. In sharp contrast to the traditions of growing constantly bombarded by the news which is focused on what is
up in the 50s and 60s, today we live in the first moment when wrong with the world, camp is a living example of what is right.”
humans receive more of their information second-hand than first!
We are in a climate where it is harder to know what we need to Day camp is a terrific experience. Reminiscent of less
survive, so drawing on experiences that give children healthy complicated days, when people connected with nature, thrived on
alternatives and opportunities to instill capabilities, the hallmarks inter-generational relationships, and made new discoveries,
of thriving, is the greatest gift you can give a young child. everything is designed and scaled to ensure that children feel
included, cared about, and capable. Beginning camp at an early age
Camp provides one of the very few links with a world larger than provides important advantages.
the consumer culture we inhabit—and day camp is one important
choice in a quiver of options. The camp experience helps children Camp is the best demonstration of moral and spiritual order—
and youth develop an appreciation of their place and their respon- democracy is the core purpose. Children learn life skills and
sibility in a much larger universe. A preschooler—or even an older behaviors that become habits of the heart. While many then move
child who might be reluctant to go to overnight camp—can join a on to overnight camp, others will be content to continue the day
community that is created especially for her to practice growing camp experience: after all, there is a camp for everyone—and that
up. Why wait until age ten when the benefits of feeling connected might well be day camp!
and being able to contribute and navigate at an earlier age can be
reaped? Under the supervision of inspiring guides and passionate
Marla Coleman is a past national president of American Camp Association
coaches, children can feel successful and make new friends while
having the time of their lives; they can experience belonging and
NEED HELP IN CHOOSING THE RIGHT
contribution; they can have a sense of consistency and CAMP FOR YOUR CHILD? CHECK OUT THE
predictability in times of turbulence and change.
2009 CAMP & SUMMER PROGRAM DIRECTORY
Day camp can begin as early as age three and is geared to
BEGINNING ON PAGE 98.
children who get to experience camp and still return home each
52 March 2009 |
www.siparent.com
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