By Sarah Lyons

Whether you’re beginning to think about Spring Break camps, or longer camps for the summer, the idea of spending several nights away from home is a little scary for both the parent and child. A great alternative, especially for younger kids, is to send them to day camp. Day camp, as the name implies, typically consists of a series of consecutive days where the child is away during daytime hours.

Children leave in the morning and come home in the afternoon or evening to have dinner with their families and sleep in their own beds. Day camp gives kids many of the same learning experiences as a typical sleepover camp.

Builds Independence — Camp is a place for children to explore their own independence and day camp is no different. 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 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 that tailor to their interest 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 that would 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 age. Children gain confidence as they learn to talk to and work with people that they have never played with previously. The opportunity to make friends with children that share similar interests and a fun new experience helps kids feel more comfortable when they are in new situations.

Take a Screen Break — 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 to parents. Who knows? When kids come home from camp, they may realize they don’t need as much screen time as they thought they did.

Lifelong Skills — Day camp provides opportunities for problem solving and leadership, 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 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 faced fears while trying the camp obstacle course. These experiences will remain throughout their life as they are faced with challenges in the future.

As you are deciding if day camp is right for your family, consider what type of camp your child would be most interested in. Let your child help you choose and then let them know you think they will do great. 

Sarah Lyons is a mom of six children, including a set of triplets. While she is an extrovert, she is a wife and mother to several introverts. She strives to encourage her kids to step out of their comfort zones while also celebrating their unique personalities.