Ontario, Canada’s Children’s Camps: Finding a Camp that Offers Much More Than a Good Time
Every summer an annual ritual takes place across Canada. In parking lots throughout urban centers, large numbers of children gather, wildly excited and perhaps visibly nervous. After words of encouragement, caution, best wishes and love, caring and concerned parents pack them up, along with over-flowing duffle bags filled with T-shirts, shorts, bathing suits, towels and more, and then deposit them into awaiting buses to be whisked away to summer camp. Like generations before them, summer camp programs will give these children a wonderful opportunity for fun and for personal growth. They will learn new skills, experience nature, and enjoy all that a children’s summer camp has to offer. At most camps, kids are taught swimming, canoeing, and archery. They participate in group activities and competitions. They play games, make crafts, have campfires, and sing songs. They make new friends and generally have the time of their lives.Today, it is possible to find a camp that offers much more than a good time. The following paragraphs will address some of the key areas to ensure a memorable camping experience.When looking for a summer camp program, it is important to find a camp that offers new and innovative programs to keep children learning in a fun and interactive way. Although the old standbys such a swimming, canoeing, and archery are always interesting, classes such as digital photography, drama, wake boarding, gymnastics, video production, and flying a trapeze. In addition, there are hockey camps, computer camps, and forensic science camps that will oftentimes expose children to unique and enjoyable activities. One well established camp is even offering a culinary arts program for the 2006 season. These skills are things that they can expand on and can help spark interests for years down the road. Another important factor to consider when looking for a summer camp experience is the life lessons that the camp can help instill in the children at a young age. Along with all the fun things that the summer camp experience has to offer, there are children’s camps that put more emphasis on teaching social values and responsibility. This can include: teaching campers how to be good environmental stewards by composting all their organic waste, raising awareness of the importance of recycling, and creating the environmental leaders of tomorrow.The final thing to consider when choosing a children’s camp in Ontario is the interpersonal skills that can be taught and developed. Camp is an excellent place to learn and practice social skills. Because this is a time that children will be interacting with others their own age, it is imperative that they be encouraged respect and care for themselves and others. These theme based camps can involve conflict management, dealing with potential bullies, and understanding and solving peer problems. In addition children can learn how to be accountable for how their choices affect others.While nothing comes close to replacing the traditional pleasures of summer camp like sitting round the campfire singing songs, or falling asleep to loon calls, the addition of socially conscious programs to the summer camp ritual complements and enhances the entire summer camp experience.
About the Author
Camp Arowhon is a thriving community of campers, staff, and alumni that offers a place where social skills blossom and life-long friendships take root. To learn more about this Ontario Canadian children camp activities, please visit http://www.camparowhon.com.
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