Day Camp Provides Many
Learning Experiences
— by Sarah Lyons
Special Advertising Section
JUNIOR SAILING PROGRAM
FOR AGES 7-17
Come Sail with Us!
We offer a safe, fun, and engaging
sailing program for all skill levels.
7 WEEKLY SESSIONS
June 25th-August 9th
For More Information Visit:
www.yyc.org
Or Call 716-745-7230 ext 10
Builds independence: Camp is a
great place for kids to explore their own
independence. Kids are challenged with
new activities that they may not get the
opportunity to try at home. They will make
friends, eat lunch, and follow directions
without the help of their parents. Kids start
to feel more self confident and independent
as the camp week goes on.
Learn new skills: Day camps typically
offer opportunities to learn and grow in
areas that children may not be exposed to
at school. Kids can pick camps tailored to
their interests, including a variety of sports,
music, dance, theater, science, art, exploring
nature, and more. If your child is drawn to
a particular activity or subject, chances are
there is a camp to interest them. Kids who
are not particularly drawn to academics
will thrive in day camps because they are
rewarded for their talents and interests.
Make new friends: While you may sign
your child up for a camp with a friend, they
will meet many new people their own age.
Children gain confidence as they learn to
talk to and work with people that they have
never encountered previously, including
adults. The opportunity to make friends
with children that share similar interests
and a fun new experience will help kids feel
more comfortable in future new situations.
Lifelong skills: Day camp helps kids
learn skills they can use for a lifetime,
including problem solving and leadership
skills, improved confidence, and an
openness to new things. Depending on
the camp, they may learn other skills that
will stick with them. My kids learned how
to start a fire and cook their own meal at
local scouting camps. My daughter gained
the confidence to get on stage in front of
a room full of parents and peers at theater
camp. My kids improved their skills at
sport camps and they faced their fears while
trying the camp obstacle course.
Take a break from the screen: When
children spend time at day camp, they get
a much needed break from screen time. As
video games, apps, TV, and tablets take
more and more of our free time, getting
the kids outside to play or having fun while
learning new skills is a priceless benefit.
Who knows? When the kids come home
from camp, they may realize they don’t
need as much screen time as they thought
they did.
16 WNY Family March 2019