Introduce Your Kids to Zip Lining for Improved Self-Confidence

Instilling self-confidence in your children is one of the most important jobs you are entrusted with as a parent. While you know that using positive guidance helps build self-esteem, it is sometimes hard to come up with new ways to build confidence in children who need a little push to get out of their comfort zone. Zip lining is one activity that has grown in popularity, and the cool factor will be all it takes to get your child eager to step out into new territory that rewards taking a safe risk.

Learn to Conquer Fears

Many kids have a natural fear of heights that causes them to be apprehensive about climbing into a zip line harness. Yet, it is hard to resist the thrill of a new adventure. During their introduction to zip lining, the staff always spends time talking to kids about the different pieces of equipment that are designed to keep them safe. Kids are also allowed to practice skills that build up to the big moment such as putting on their harness and zipping down a lower line. As kids gain familiarity with zip lining, their fears recede, and it only takes a few moments of soaring through the air before most of them completely forget why they were ever scared in the first place.

Developing Trust in a Safe Environment

Introducing a kid to zip lining should always be done in a safe and supportive environment. Summer camps offer zip lining because they know how exciting it is for kids to literally reach new heights while also building their ability to trust in themselves and others. They are never forced to go on a zip line until they are ready. Instead, they are encouraged to take on the challenge by positive interactions with their peers and the crew. On a summer camp zip line course, kids who are new to the sport get the opportunity to watch experienced campers take the leap first while receiving encouragement from everyone in their group when they are ready to give it a try.

Enjoy a Sense of Accomplishment

The benefits of zip lining are instant since a kid’s confidence begins to soar as soon as they step off the platform. Feeling a sense of awe as they take in the scenery is a huge reward for taking a leap of faith, and kids quickly gain a sense of control since they can slow down their ride along the length of the course or let go to enjoy a faster zip down the line. Once they complete their zip line, the other members of their group are always eager to celebrate their big moment with enthusiasm. Over time, many kids begin to seek out new opportunities for zip lining that takes them to greater heights and to exciting new landscapes.

Taking safe risks and conquering new challenges is important for building a kid’s self-confidence. The confidence a kid learns on a zip line also extends to other areas of their life since knowing that they can beat their fears helps them with public speaking, learning a new academic skill and practicing leadership in sports. By allowing your child the opportunity to see the world from a bird’s-eye view, you provide them with a new perspective on their ability to accomplish anything they set their mind out to do.

If you're considering sending your child to an overnight summer camp, be sure to visit our site to learn about Camp Walt Whitman. Located in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, Camp Walt Whitman offers a safe, nurturing environment in a beautiful mountain setting. Our camp is a coed sleepaway camp, with separate areas for boys and girls. The kids have a blast, and make friendships that can last a lifetime. Learn what campers say about summer camp at CWW: http://www.campwalt.com/about-sleepaway-summer-camp.html

Choosing a Tennis Program for Your Child

Tennis is known as a lifetime sport because children who learn to play tend to continue strengthening their skills through practice and competition as adults. Finding the right tennis program is the key to successfully teaching your child the lessons they need to be successful in this competitive sport. As you explore potential programs, look for these signs of quality that will ensure your child gets the right start toward developing an interest in tennis that turns into a lifelong passion.

Ask About the Coach’s Credentials

When it comes to teaching tennis, experience in the sport and with kids is everything. While your coach might not be an Olympian, they should have a history of successfully competing and winning competitions. Memberships in local tennis organizations and national affiliations also speak for their dedication to staying current regarding the latest coaching techniques while supporting the development of their preferred sport. While possessing the right credentials is important, your child’s coach should also be personable with an upbeat personality and the energy to keep up with the children on the courts.

Check for Low Staff-to-Student Ratios

In tennis class, too many students without enough coaches leads to chaos and boredom. Therefore, in addition to the coach, you should see additional staff members available to assist. This keeps kids from having to wait around for instruction ensuring a higher level of safety on the courts.

Learn About the Facility

Tennis programs need enough space for every student to practice playing as much as possible. Ask how many courts are available and if they are full-size. Ideally, kids will be practicing on courts like the ones used in competitions. Although they may play doubles during practice games, there should still be plenty of courts available for everyone to play at once. During your tour, the facility should also be clean with well-maintained equipment.

Sign Up for Daily Practices

Learning any new skill requires consistent practice, and kids thrive when they are offered tennis classes during school breaks so they can fully immerse themselves in the sport. For example, tennis programs offered as electives at summer camp will encourage kids to practice every day, and specialized programs allow them to dive into tennis for an entire week. These types of programs help keep your child’s skills fresh throughout the entire year.

Look for Intensive Practice Programs

If your goal is for your child to play tennis competitively, then private practice sessions are essential. Since your child benefits from working with staff members and coaches they already know, make sure the program you choose offers private sessions. During these sessions, your child will receive one-on-one training that is targeted to strengthen their weak skills while reinforcing the things they do well. It also gives them a chance to practice with advanced tennis players that love being able to pass down their expertise.

Learning to play tennis takes a combination of dedication and the right kind of training. Whether your child just wants to play for fun or they are aiming to be a professional athlete, signing up for a tennis program is the first step toward success. By knowing how to choose a quality program, you will line your child up with the right coaches and practice schedules to truly develop a love for the sport.

If you're considering sending your child to an overnight summer camp, be sure to visit our site to learn about Camp Walt Whitman. Located in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, Camp Walt Whitman offers a safe, nurturing environment in a beautiful mountain setting. Our camp is a coed sleepaway camp, with separate areas for boys and girls. The kids have a blast, and make friendships that can last a lifetime. Learn what campers say about summer camp at CWW: http://www.campwalt.com/about-sleepaway-summer-camp.html

Fun Things to Do During Summer

Summer and fun pretty much go hand-in-hand for youngsters, whether they’re off to summer camp, taking a family vacation, building endless sand castles at the beach or just biking around the neighborhood. But with many parents working and lots of kids in organized daytime activities from recreation programs to specialized camps, it’s fun to plan some special days for family fun.

Plan a Day Trip

You don’t have to travel far to have fun as a family; a key component is letting the kids get in on the planning phase. Surf around the Internet or leaf through some brochures for nearby attractions or activities. If you have several youngsters, it’s a great lesson in compromise and team work to come up with an itinerary that will please everyone. Whether it’s the local zoo, a historic attraction or an amusement park or a combination of a bunch of places, the key component is that everyone has a little invested in the trip and it’s a real group effort for a day of family fun.

Water, Water Anywhere

You have to do it in summer; head to the water, no matter where you live. Pack it up for the day and head out to the beach, the lake, the local pool or even a splash park. Let your youngsters help assemble a picnic lunch and snacks and, if you have room, take along a friend or two to keep older kids entertained.

Back to Nature

It’s been found that kids exposed early to nature grow up with a great respect for the planet and all its life forms. Find a kid-friendly activity that will get your youngster up close and personal with the fascinating wildlife in your locale. Nature trails, zoos, hiking paths, ponds, beaches and rivers all present bountiful opportunities to observe even the tiniest of life forms. Try your hand (or ear) at identifying various bird calls, look for starfish in tide pools or check out the fascinating variety of life forms that have taken up residence under fallen logs.

Old Fashioned Fun

Try out the old-time tradition of the neighborhood block party. It’s a great way to meet the folks around you that you may not already know, and the multi-generational aspect is great for kids and old timers alike. Walk around the neighborhood with your children and pass out flyers they’ve helped design. Keep the menu summery and simple, allowing everyone to contribute; think hot dogs and hamburgers, potato salad and loads of watermelon and ice cream! If it’s permissible in your state, have a few sparklers and back yard fireworks at the end for a truly festive flair. There will likely be flocks of kids running through the dark while the grown-ups chat and enjoy the balmy summer evening.

When the Stars Come Out

Have you ever noticed how different the sky looks whey you just lay flat on your back and gaze upwards? Pick a clear night and set out some blankets in the back yard and just relax and pick out the constellations with your child. If you don’t know the stars well yourself, do a bit of research. Older children may enjoy helping look up the constellations and learning the stories behind the names. If you have an observatory nearby, check out the schedule of viewings. Kids are fascinated by the wonders of space.

If you're considering sending your child to an overnight summer camp, be sure to visit our site to learn about Camp Walt Whitman. Located in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, Camp Walt Whitman offers a safe, nurturing environment in a beautiful mountain setting. Our camp is a coed sleepaway camp, with separate areas for boys and girls. The kids have a blast, and make friendships that can last a lifetime. Learn what campers say about summer camp at CWW: http://www.campwalt.com/our-location.html

Teaching Kids How to Swim

There’s no doubt that learning how to swim is an important part of childhood, both from the standpoints of safety and fun. Most kids are around water at some point in their lives, whether playing in the backyard pool, at the beach, boating or just walking down a dock or fishing by a lake. It only takes a moment for a drowning to occur, so every parent should be sure their child knows the rudiments of staying afloat. All that aside, swimming is one of the true joys of summer for kids of all ages. There are abundant opportunities for your child to learn this all-important skill.

At Summer Camp

Pretty much every summer camp, even specialty camps, include swimming lessons as part of their slate of programs. Many camps use the techniques and standards of the American Red Cross, with skilled, certified instructors guiding youngsters through all the levels of swimming instruction from beginner to advanced. Kids are tested at the start of camp for level placement and can move up as their abilities improve. You can find excellent swimming programs at both day camps and sleepaway camps. Look for small class sizes so your little camper can get a more individualized level of instruction along with some good old fashioned summertime fun. Many camps, even if situated by a lake, will have a heated outdoor pool for more comfortable swimming lessons. Early morning lake water can be a bit of a shock!

At Community Centers

Community centers and YMCAs across the country are super places to send kids for swimming lessons. Do a little research to see how instructors are certified prior to registering your child. Many facilities start children as young as 18 months (with a parent), so you can be right there with your child as he or she becomes used to the water and eventually learns the rudiments of staying afloat. Programs for kids up to three are generally all about swimming readiness. The American Academy of Pediatrics doesn’t recommend formal swimming lessons until the age of four when kids are developmentally ready to learn the skills needed to actually stay afloat. Once they’re six, most youngsters can start to learn all the basic strokes including the crawl, back stroke and breast stroke. Many programs move all the way from toddler up to expert levels and may have locally-based swim teams to satisfy the competitive streak of accomplished swimmers.

With You

Lots of parents choose to teach their kids the basics of swimming themselves, especially if the family has a backyard pool or spends a lot of time at the beach. Kids who are comfortable when immersed in the water can usually pick up the basics of staying afloat and moving through the water fairly easily. Unfortunately, youngsters who have had a scare or two in the water may have a bit more difficulty overcoming apprehension about being in deeper water or putting their face in the water. Patience is key in overcoming this. Remember, even if your child does well swimming in a pool, it may not translate perfectly to the beach or lake. Always keep a close eye on young children around the water and always have them wear a life vest when boating even if they are skilled swimmers.

If you're considering sending your child to an overnight summer camp, be sure to visit our site to learn about Camp Walt Whitman. Located in the white mountains of New Hampshire, Camp Walt Whitman offers a safe, nurturing environment in a beautiful mountain setting. Our camp is a coed sleepaway camp, with separate areas for boys and girls. The kids have a blast, and make friendships that can last a lifetime. Check out our water sports program here: http://www.campwalt.com/summer-camp-water-sports.html

Summer in New England

With its breathtaking shoreline, quaint villages, scenic mountains and glorious lakes, New England offers a cornucopia of summer delights for everyone from beach bums to history fans and outdoor fanatics. Cross the border from New York and you’ll find everything you’ll need for summertime dreams come true.

Captivating Connecticut has it all, from the beautiful hills of Litchfield to the pretty seaport towns of the Long Island Sound. 

Try out a lazy day of tubing on the Farmington River, take the kids on a dinosaur expedition at the popular Peabody Museum in New Haven or explore life in a turn-of-the century whaling town at the Mystic Seaport Museum. 

A wealth of beaches and state parks line the shoreline including historic Ocean Beach in New London where old timey arcades, an historic boardwalk and a wide swathe of sand lure young and old alike. Stop in pretty towns like Essex, Old Saybrook and quaint little Stonington village on your way to Rhode Island.

Little Rhody is deservedly famous for its stunning stretch of sandy coastline winding up from popular family vacation haven Westerly, just over the Connecticut border, through Charlestown, Narragansett and glamorous Newport. 

Take the kids to Misquamicut State Beach for super surf, family friendly eateries, outdoor movies and motels right on the sand, or head to more upscale Watch Hill, once known as Little Newport, where quaint shops, two beautiful beaches (bay and ocean) and some of the best ice cream in the state await. 

Afterwards, head to historic Newport where a necklace of magnificent mansions unwind along the breathtaking Cliff Walk, and the waterfront is a glorious tangle of upscale shops, galleries and restaurants.

Summer in Massachusetts is synonymous with Cape Cod, where a dazzling string of pretty coastal villages wind up to the spellbinding dunes of the Cape Cod National Seashore. Spend the weekend at a charming little bed and breakfast just a short stroll from the beach, dine alfresco on same-day-fresh seafood and savor a sunset cocktail at a friendly local café. 

Biking, swimming, sailing, horseback riding and surfing are all part of a day’s play at the Cape. History and museum buffs should definitely make a detour to Boston, where attractions like the Museum of Fine Arts and Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum offer a fine culture break from days of sun, sand and home-made ice cream.

New Hampshire, with its verdant hills, awe-inspiring mountains and crystalline lakes is a real mecca for hikers, climbers, campers and white water rafters. Home to numerous sleepaway summer camps, this beautiful state offers a wealth of summertime treats. 

Savor lunch on the verandah of an historic grand hotel, get a unique perspective on White Mountains scenery on the historic Cog Railroad, experience the magnificent vistas of the Kangamangus highway or head off to a day of kiddie delights at Story Land, a New England family tradition.

Vermont, known mainly as a super ski destination, is really a four-season playground. Before the leaf peepers descend in the fall, summer in Vermont is chock full of activities, especially at the ski resorts, where zip lines, gondolas and mountainside slides turn a winter wonderland into a spectacular summer holiday destination.

Whether you crave the romance of a rugged coastline or the solitude of miles of unspoiled wilderness, Maine is the perfect spot for summertime adventure. Quaint beach towns like Kennebunkport and Booth Bay Harbor offer a classic Maine seaside experience, while adventurers will want to explore the granite and spruce islands of Arcadia National Park or hike Mount Katadhin, end point of the Appalachian Trail.

Whatever roads through historic New England you choose this summer, you’re bound to find outdoor adventure, seaside delights, historic wonders and plenty of fun in the sun.

If you're considering sending your child to an overnight summer camp, be sure to visit our site to learn about Camp Walt Whitman. Located in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, Camp Walt Whitman offers a safe, nurturing environment in a beautiful mountain setting. Our camp is a coed sleepaway camp, with separate areas for boys and girls. The kids have a blast, and make friendships that can last a lifetime. http://www.campwalt.com.