Residential Summer Camps: What, Why, How?
By Julie Hartley
Director, Centauri Summer Arts Camp
A two month summer vacation from school can seem a bit excessive. Why give young people a whole eight weeks without structure, or a chance to learn? The truth is, for most Canadian children, the summer vacation isn’t a break from learning at all: it’s a chance to learn different things, in different ways. It’s a chance to go away to residential camp.
For those of us who didn’t grow up in North America, the concept of residential camp is mystifying at first. So what exactly is it? Why do so many young people in Canada leave their homes and go away to camp in the summer? What do they learn there? And if a parent decides residential camp is a good choice for their child, how do they find the right one?
At residential camp, young people are presented with a new and different environment, one that forces them to develop skills they may not pick up at school. At camp, children live together in a group, sleeping in the same room as other children, eating with them in the dining hall, sharing activities and discovering the camaraderie that comes with team work . In this way, they develop valuable social skills, and learn to adapt to new situations. Food, beds, bathrooms, friends - all are different from what they may know at home. And because the environment of residential camp encourages social skills, a child’s ability to communicate with others will improve, whether they are learning English for the first time, or mastering the advanced problem solving and negotiation skills they will need in a future career.
Overnight camp also teaches specific skills that may not be available in school. Traditional camps teach canoeing, swimming, rock climbing and appreciation for the wilderness that is so much a part of Canada. Parents can find details of these camps by visiting the Ontario Camping Association at www.ontariocamps.ca. Other camps - such as Centauri Summer Arts Camp - focus on cultural activities such as music, drama, art, film and dance (go to www.centauriartscamp.com). There are camps for young people who love science, enjoy computers, want to learn about robotics, or need to train intensively in a sport. Some camps help children who have learning disabilities, or leaning difficulties in school (for example, see Camp Kodiak at www.campkodiak.com). To give your child an enriching summer experience, it’s essential to choose a residential camp that suits their needs and interests.
If you have a child who is shy, struggles to speak out in groups, or lack self-confidence, overnight camp can be an excellent place for them to develop these skills. This is because good camps are very positive spaces, where the qualities and abilities of each child are celebrated and encouraged. When children feel good about themselves, and supported by others, they develop the courage to try new things, and their confidence increases. Camp counsellors - who take care of children at most residential camps - are usually successful undergraduates on university programs, so they make excellent role models. Campers look up to them as models of success, and discover career choices and academic possibilities that will be open to them if they also strive to succeed in school.
But how does a parent choose the right overnight camp? This is difficult for all parents, but especially so if overnight camp was not something you experienced as a child. Begin by identifying the type of experience that would suit your child. A traditional camp? A sports or arts camp? Do you want them to learn to play a musical instrument, or to discover how to enjoy the Canadian wilderness? Would you like a camp close to home? How long would you like your child to attend camp for? Would a small, family-run camp suit them best? Would they like to stay in tents, cabins or dormitories? Then, visit www.ontariocamps.ca and read through the listings of all the accredited camps in Ontario. If the concept of camp still seems mystifying, then you may be interested to learn that Julie and Craig Hartley, who run Centauri Arts Camp, are regularly available to talk to groups about overnight camp: this can be arranged with any business or community group in Southern Ontario.
Once you have formed a short list of camps you think may be right for your child, visit their web sites, read their philosophies and order their brochures. Then, call and speak with the directors. They will be able to answer your questions, and send reference letters for you to read. In most cases, you will be able to arrange to meet the directors, with your child. Meeting the directors will give you a true ‘feel’ for the camp, and help your child to get excited about this new experience. If the directors do not live close by, then you should be able to speak with other camp parents over the phone, and perhaps view a camp video.
Finding the right residential camp for your child can be a daunting experience; there are so many out there! Remember that this is because for so many children in Canada, residential camp is seen as a vital part of their education. Your hard work and research will be rewarded. Camp is a place where young people grow in confidence, learn to communicate better, share new experiences, develop new skills and create memories that will be with them for the rest of their lives.
By Julie Hartley
Julie Hartley is one of the directors of Centauri Summer Arts Camp (www.centauriartscamp.com). Centauri is an overnight camp in the Niagara Region of Ontario, offering intensive arts training in 40 different arts specialties for youth aged 9-18. For permission to use this article in part or whole, please contact Julie at julie@centauriartscamp.com
January 2009