Why do parents and guardians send their kids to summer camp? For every family, there’s a different reason. One may be the parents want their child to get outside more and enjoy the outdoors. Another reason could be the child actually requests to go. It could be that the parents need childcare. No matter the reason for camps filling up and having campers, this gives summer camp staff the unique opportunity to influence campers, whether they know they are or not.
During the holiday season, not many people are thinking about the summer and what camp they will send their child to. The holidays are focused on family, gifts, celebrating, or whatever your family traditions have led you to do during this time. The stores become drastically more crowded, packages start piling up at doorsteps and stress levels feel high to find someone that one thing they mentioned they wanted 6 months ago. There is no secret that gift-giving is the center of focus more than others.
What may still be a secret is what you can give your children that will positively impact their lives. You know you bought your kid that toy they wanted so bad they were willing to sacrifice everything for it, but they haven’t touched it since January. Let’s be realistic here and say that these toys, tablets and trinkets are not the best move, considering kids are constantly growing and changing.
So, no toys or trinkets, what’s the next option? Remember that part about how no one thinks of summer camp during the holidays? Well, it might be time to start thinking about it. Most summer camps open registration as early as January of each year. Even if registration for camp, like the Michigan Out-of-Doors Youth Camp, is not open yet, you can still gift your child the promise of summer camp! Make them a crafty gift or sign that says, “You’re Going to Camp!” Even a picture slideshow or buy something they can use at camp, like a flashlight or sleeping bag, can be given to them during the holidays as a symbol for them attending camp in the summer.
When summer rolls around, and it will quicker than you think, summer staff gets to fulfill your gift of summer camp by turning it into a gift of education. Even if your camper is playing a game or taking a hike, the things they learn during that time will stick with them. They learn new skills, like how to protect themselves in a survival situation and will learn valuable life lessons, like how to be a good leader. Being in that environment, away from home and with unfamiliar faces, leaves them vulnerable in the best way. Children are open to different ideas and are able to learn in an environment that is not as confined as a classroom or their own home.
Let this be another reason people send their kids to summer camp. Let your reason be that you didn’t want to get them another materialistic item they will leave in a bin in their closet for the rest of their lives. You’re probably already thinking of that one child, nephew or grand daughter, who is the hardest to buy for or already has that bin full of old Christmas gifts. Take a different route from now on during the holiday season, give them the gift of education and send them to the Michigan Out-of-Doors Youth Camp. If they come to camp, they will also receive a free TRACKS subscription, our youth magazine that sends your child 8 issues throughout the school year. It is truly the gift that keeps on giving.