Summer children's camp: advantages and disadvantages
Mar 07, 2023
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During the summer holidays, many parents think about how to make their child's vacation the most complete and memorable. Today, there are many opportunities to give your child an exciting vacation, for example, by sending him to Summer camp in Singapore.
However, it should be remembered that such a vacation has both advantages and disadvantages. Let's talk about them in more detail.
Rest in the camp will appeal to the child if he ...
1. Considers the interests of the child
Every child has hobbies, preferences and interests. Rest in the camp, which specializes in his favorite activities and the development of the necessary skills, will be most useful and interesting for the child.
2. Expands horizons.
In a new place, the child gets the opportunity to learn more about the world around him. Summer camps for children are usually located in places that are different from where he is on a daily basis. For example, the camp can be located in the forest, in the mountains, on the coast, etc. Such a trip will help the child get to know the flora and fauna of a new region for him, get a lot of positive impressions from visiting new places.
3. Allows the child to feel independent.
Being in a summer children's camp, the child learns independence, because in this case he finds himself in a new environment for him, in a new team, and he has to make his own decisions, as well as be responsible for them.
4. Develops communication skills and behavior in a team.
Summer camp for children helps to develop the child's communication skills. The child interacts with other children, as well as with adults new to him, adapts to a new team that has its own norms and rules of conduct.
There is perhaps only one drawback of resting in a summer children's camp: the child is far from home, from the family, so for some children who are used to the constant presence of their parents, the adaptation period can be quite difficult.
The specifics of the children's camp
Children's summer camps, as a rule, are diversified. For example, these are health camps in which special attention is paid to the treatment of certain diseases or simply to improving the health of children. These are thematic camps, classes in which are devoted to a particular topic, sometimes changing every race. These are specialized camps, classes in which are devoted to a certain direction, which does not change over time.
Features of adaptation of the child in the summer camp
A child, getting into a new environment for himself, into a new team, often experiences certain inconveniences associated with adaptation. The adaptation period can last from several days to 1-2 weeks. At this time, the child gets used to the new place, builds relationships with other children, as well as with counselors.
How quickly a child gets used to new conditions depends on the characteristics of his social and emotional development and upbringing. So, children who are accustomed to the children's team, who do not experience any particular difficulties in communication, who actively participate in the life of the team, adapt much more easily to the conditions of the camp.
Of course, at first, many children complain to their parents that they are bored in the camp. As a rule, after a few days the child gets used to it, makes new friends, joins the life of the team, gets used to the schedule set in the camp. And there are no more such complaints.
In order for the adaptation period to pass as painlessly as possible, the child must be prepared in advance for rest in the camp. So, parents can teach a child to make their own bed, put their things in order, instill hygiene skills, talk about the schedule of the day at the camp, try to follow this regimen at home.
Explain to the child that after his departure you will miss him very much, and that, most likely, he will also miss him for the first few days, and this is natural. However, despite this, he should not be afraid to get to know other children, play with them, participate in the life of the team.
Also, the child should know that if he suddenly has any problems, he can always count on the help of counselors. Make sure your child can always contact you. If you still can't trust your child with a mobile phone, give him a phone card or money to buy one. Make sure your child knows how to use a phone and a map.
When is it better to refuse a trip to a children's summer camp?
It has been proven that preschool children are very attached to the family and home. Therefore, traveling to a summer children's camp, when a child is far from his parents, can be stressful for him, which will be quite difficult to cope with.
That is why it is not recommended to send children under 7-8 years old to the camp. But in some cases, it is better to leave older children at home. For example, if the child is sick, experiencing any discomfort, anxiety or fear.
When should I urgently pick up my child from the camp?
- If the child's adaptation period is very painful;
- if he cannot get used to new conditions in any way;
- if he does not develop relationships with peers or counselors;
- if he often asks to take him home.
In these cases, it is better for parents to listen to their child and pick them up from the camp on an emergency basis. This should also be done if the child is sick.
In the camp there are certain rules of conduct that are mandatory for all children. In the event that a child grossly and systematically violates them, he may be expelled from the camp ahead of schedule. And then the parents also urgently have to take the child home.
Send or not?
Deciding whether to send a child to camp or not is a purely individual decision. In this case, you should not listen to the opinion of friends and acquaintances.
Try to find out as much as you can about the camp and the teachers. You can even spend the first races in certain children's camps together with your child.
The most important thing is that he is ready for this and wants to go to the summer camp himself.