Sleepaway Summer Camp Means Lots of Outdoor Activities

Going to sleepaway summer camp is a rite of passage for children that fosters independence along with the opportunity to create memories that last a lifetime. Every summer, kids at camp get to participate in fun and exciting activities that build strength, leadership skills and encourage kids to develop an interest in nature. One of the best parts of sleepaway camp is that it provides more time to explore the outdoors as campers stay engaged in a variety of different activities that range from making pottery to competing with their fellow campers in sports competitions.

Watersports

For many campers, sleepaway camp is the first place they learn how to swim, water ski and wakeboard. At camp, children are encouraged by the support of their instructors and peers to take safe risks as they learn skills such as how to windsurf. Water safety is naturally a huge part of these outdoor lessons and there is nothing better than experiencing the peaceful calm of a lake first thing in the morning. As kids progress in their skills, jump ramps and other obstacles are introduced so kids are constantly being challenged to increase their abilities.

Creative Arts

When campers need a break from active play, they can still dive into their creative pursuits outdoors. Whether they are putting on a play on an outdoor stage or they are taking guitar lessons around a campfire, kids always have a chance to soak up the sun. Additionally, classes such as wood carving and pottery allow kids to truly dig their hands into nature while creating beautiful crafts.

Sports

Summer camp has come a long way since the days of playing dodgeball, although that’s still always an option. Today, sleepaway camp allows kids to fully immerse themselves in their favorite sport. Baseball, lacrosse, gymnastics and hockey are a few sports that are typically offered by camps. Those who prefer to compete on the water may also enjoy canoe and kayak racing. Outdoor camps with a focus on sports will also offer a combination of group and individual lessons to help kids reach the next level in their favorite game.

Backpacking Adventures

Although a lot of fun happens in the cabins, sleepaway camp also involves taking the kids out of their comfort zone and into the wilderness. For younger kids, a backpacking adventure may be a simple day trip that culminates with a campfire and a whole lot of s’mores. Older campers, however, may enjoy supervised backpacking, canoe and bike trips to scenic locations for up to a week. This allows them to fully test their wilderness safety skills while taking in views such as a sunset from the mountaintop or the majestic beauty of a waterfall.

When it comes to finding a summer activity that keeps kids physically active and mentally stimulated, sleepaway summer camp has it all. Not only do campers get to make new friends and learn new skills, but they also have enough time and open space to truly dive into new activities. From canoeing across the lake to navigating their way through a wilderness trail, every kid who goes to sleepaway camp has the opportunity to come back full of stories about their adventures.

If you're considering sending your child to an overnight summer camp for a fun outdoor activity experience, 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/welcome-current-families.html

Five Tips for Encouraging a Love of Sports in Kids

Kids should be outside and active at least sixty minutes a day and getting involved in a recreational sport encourages social, physical and emotional development as well as good healthy living habits. Whether your youngster has already expressed excitement over playing a particular sport or whether you sign him up for soccer or baseball just so he can check it out, involvement in sports can help nurture an interest in constructive after-school activities or even be the start of a lifelong passion.

Talk It Up

Before heading to sign-ups, talk to your youngster about what kind of athletics might interest her. If the answer is a vague “nothing”, talk about what kind of related activities she likes and offer some ideas. A kid who’s turning summersaults all the time might like gymnastics, while a youngster who loves the water may enjoy competitive swimming. If your child is seven or over, make sure he understands the commitment of signing up for a sport and knows that you expect him to stay in for the season, even if it’s a bit more difficult than he anticipated.

Keep Things Upbeat

Once you’ve got your youngster out on the playing field, keep it positive; be your child’s cheerleader and emphasize what she’s doing right and how hard she’s trying. Be sure to tell her no one’s perfect and everyone makes mistakes. Not every child is an all-star, but most can come to love the camaraderie of the team and the joy of just getting out and playing. Support all his athletic endeavors as long as he enjoys playing. Excelling is not a requirement. As long as your child is having fun, developing into a team player and embracing the challenge of learning new skills, she can enjoy and benefit from participation in sports. Stay involved, ask what was learned at practice and try to cushion any corrections with five specific instances of what you saw her do right.

Pick a Few

Concentrating on one sport can tend to become too intense for young children, while signing up for every kiddie athletic activity you see can make your youngster too busy to actually fully enjoy any of them. Two or three sports a year is usually a good number. Your budding athlete will learn a broad range of skills and start to figure out what sport if any they’d like to concentrate on down the road.

Investigate the Options

Before you sign up for the season, try to figure out if this particular sports program is a good fit for your child’s personality and abilities. Youth athletic programs differ widely. For instance, some emphasize participation by everyone while others only play the best athletes on the team. Try to see the coach in action or watch a practice, so you can get an idea of what kind of experience your child will be having. When kids are young, the philosophy of doing the best you can rather than having to be the top player on the team will do far more to encourage your child to truly love sports.

Time Out

No matter how much your child loves a sport, make sure she has some time away from it during the week. Children need a variety of activities outside of school and sports, including time for family, friends, chores and homework. Make sure your youngster has a well-rounded life off the playing field.

If you're considering sending your child to an overnight summer camp for a sports experience, 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 the sports program here: http://www.campwalt.com/summer-camp-sports.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

Making Kids' Summer Extra Fun

Summer is the best time for kids to enjoy, explore nature and step out their comfort zone. However, one of the most challenging role of working parents is promoting a healthy way for kids to have fun. The solution? Send your kids to overnight summer camp. Here are few reasons why sending kids to camp can make their summer extra fun in a safe environment. 

Making New Friends At Camp: Is It Easy?

The most special memories of summer camp are shared with new found friends. The friendship at camp is unique as kids relates to each other without the pressure of the parents or teachers. They have the freedom to choose who they can easily relate with from the hot days of swimming to sailing, craft creating activities, campfires and the cabin chitchats. For first time campers, parents often wonder if their kids can easily make friends. Of course, some variables should be considered in socializing with others such as how outgoing your child is. Here are some camp counselor advice on how to teach kids to easily relate with other children at summer camp.

Checking Out the Culture of an Overnight Summer Camp

So, your child will be taking the big step this summer to spending hot, happy months at sleepaway camp. There are of course many things to take into consideration when choosing an overnight camp, but perhaps one of the most important from the standpoint of each individual child is the overall culture of the camp. Is it more geared toward sports? Is it large or small? What kinds of kids tend to go? Will your youngster feel like he’ll fit in? Although there’s no way to guarantee a great camp experience, there are a few ways you can get a feel for the overall “vibe” of camp life.

Ask Around

Although you’ll have to take into consideration the source of any information, it’s a great idea to check with other parents of campers at a potential camp. Often, your child will have classmates or neighbors who have attended the camp, particularly if it’s not that far away. Of course one child’s idea of camp heaven may be quite different from another’s, but you can get an overall impression of camper/counselor interaction, how engaged kids are in camp activities, safety and supervision. If lots of parents report their child can’t wait until next summer, you’ve probably got a winner.

Traditional or Modern?

With the incredible amount of camps out there, you can choose anything from rustic lakeside retreats with few of the luxuries of home to upscale modern summer meccas with everything from Internet access to cell phone privileges. Clearly, the culture of a camp brimming with contemporary comforts will be far different from that of a traditional style sleepaway camp.

Peruse the Websites

Needless to say, every camp is putting its best foot - or hiking boot – forward on the Internet, but these websites are super places to get basics like camper/counselor ratio, camp size, amount of kids in each cabin, a typical day at camp, rules on communicating with home and amount of structure. If you feel your child would be lost in the crowds of a big camp and might do better with small groups, or if they might flounder with too much unstructured time, you can look for camps set up for smaller groups of campers and a more structured schedule of activities. See if you can find out the return rate of campers, summer after summer; it says a lot about the camp’s overall culture.

Take a Camp Tour

Pile the family in the car and take a summer camp tour the summer before your child will go to camp. This is where good planning comes in, as you’ll want to go while camp’s in session to get the best feel for the overall “vibe” of the place. Naturally, the tour guide will be showing all the high points, but try to see if your child can get a chance to chat with some of the campers. Look around. Do the kids seem happy and engaged in the activities? Are the counselors enthusiastic and involved? Are the facilities clean and well-maintained? Do waterfront activities in particular seem well supervised? Ask plenty of questions of camp staff; you’ll have your own unique concerns for your child. Once you’re back in the car, listen carefully to your child’s feelings about the camp, and don’t let your own enthusiasm or lack thereof influence his or her decision; she’ll be the one spending the summer there, not you!

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.

The Very Best Way for Kids to Spend the Summer

Summers should be an idyllic time in childhood when a child has the opportunity to stretch out of their comfort zone and reach their full potential. Yet, finding healthy ways to keep your kids engaged during the summer months can be one of the most challenging parenting tasks you face, especially if you work during the day. If you are tired of hearing those whines of boredom or listening to the constant drone of video games playing in the background, then here are just a few of the reasons why camp is the perfect way for your kids to spend their summer break.

Build Physical Strength and Stamina

Texting and video gaming do little more than work out your child’s thumbs, and all of that extra energy never gets dispersed. At camp, kids enjoy days that are packed with physical activity. Canoeing, wakeboarding, hiking and rock climbing are all just normal things for campers to do on a beautiful summer day. By the end of the summer, kids are not only stronger, but they also understand how to direct their energy toward positive activities that enable them to learn new skills.

Increase Independence and Confidence

Sure, going to camp for the first time is hard, and homesickness is a real thing. However, those nervous feelings usually only last for a short time, and kids feel a major sense of accomplishment after they complete their first week. As kids progress through the different levels of camp, they also gain confidence from helping younger campers adjust to the new routine. Additionally, spending a few weeks away from home helps children to enjoy greater independence while still being surrounded by a support network of friends and camp counselors.

Develop a Talent

Do you have a budding actor or perhaps an avid guitarist? These early childhood interests can often turn into lifelong hobbies and even careers when kids are given the tools they need to explore their strengths. The summer months offer a chance for kids to explore their interests while unimpeded by academic studies. For this reason, summer camps are full of programs dedicated to the arts. Putting on a play, performing with a band and making pottery are all creative endeavors that can allow your child to tap into a talent.

Form Lifelong Friendships

During the school year, kids spend the majority of the day with children from their neighborhood. While it is great to have local friends, going to camp can expand a child’s opportunities to appreciate diversity. Experiences such as learning how to work out differences with members of their Cabin Group and singing around the campfire help children to form long-lasting friendships with peers from all over the world.

When the school doors close for the summer, children look forward to several months of freedom. However, it is important to make sure those long summer days are filled with wholesome activities that stimulate their minds and bodies. Keeping your kids busy throughout the summer is easy with camp activities that encourage your kids to conquer challenges and build greater self-esteem.

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.