It is the iconic image of summer – spending time at camp in the mountains, swimming and canoeing, making lanyards, singing songs around a campfire and then giggling with bunkmates late into the night.
At summer camp, memories are made and lifelong friendships are forged. But psychologists say it can also be an important developmental experience.
“Research shows that camp helps children increase their sense of independence and self-reliance, their willingness to try new things and take healthy risks, and increases their skill and knowledge,” said Chris Thurber, a clinical psychologist and co-author of the “Summer Camp Handbook.” “Day for day, we see much more accelerated growth in these areas than when children are spending time at school or at home.”
According to research by the nonprofit American Camp Association, an overwhelming number of children report positive gains from camp, including helping to make new friends (95 percent), getting to know kids who are different from themselves (93 percent) and helping them feel good about themselves (92 percent), says the organization’s CEO, Tom Holland.
There are also gains for parents, says Holland, including finding that their children gained self-confidence and a continued interest in new activities they learned at camp.
Often, it’s also a good time for parents to enjoy one-on-one time with a sibling who stays behind, or to benefit from a break from parenting to get that room repainted or go out on their own fun experiences.
Avoiding the homesick blues
Thurber has advice for parents on how to minimize the intensity of a first-year campers’ homesickness.
It is normal for anyone spending time away from home and loved ones to feel homesick, and in Thurber’s academic studies he has found that 80 percent to 95 percent of boys and girls report feeling homesick at some point during their overnight camp experience. Most experience it mildly, while about 7 percent suffer from more intense homesickness and its symptoms of nervousness, anxiety, sadness or depression.
Thurber’s No. 1 piece of advice for parents: Do not make a “pickup deal” with your child.
“That’s the death knell of a camp stay. If you promise to pick them up if they feel homesick, it becomes a crutch and undermines children’s confidence,” he said. “If you make that promise, then you have two crummy alternatives as a parent. Either you rob them of this rich developmental experience, or you renege on a promise and erode their trust in you.”
Build up your child’s confidence with practice stays away from home, such as a weekend at their grandparents’ house or a sleepover with a friend, Thurber advises. And involve your child in decisions surrounding the camp experience, from choosing which camp to attend to shopping together for supplies they need.
“That gives a child a very real sense that this is my experience, and I get to have some say over how it goes,” Thurber said.
Anne Jeffrey, director of the YMCA’s Camp E.L.K. in Wrightwood, encourages families to attend a camp’s open house together, and to ask as many questions as they have.
Also, it can help to communicate with your child while he or she is away. “We encourage parents to write or send a letter. Everyone loves getting mail at camp,” Jeffrey said.
“It’s normal for parents to feel anxious,” Thurber said. “What you need to do is share your apprehension with another grown-up, not your child.
“If your child asks, ‘What if I feel homesick?’ parents should be ready with a response that is positive and optimistic,” he said. “We’ll be here when camp is over, and if you do have feelings of homesickness you will be able to talk with the staff at camp about it.”
Practical advice
According to the ACA, the average cost of day camp nationwide in 2015 was $271 per week, and the average cost per week of overnight camp was $704. Parents should take note that a higher price for a camp does not ensure higher quality.
“When it comes to camp, price and quality are not correlated,” Thurber said.
Instead, parents should consider three things: Is a camp accredited? What is the return rate of its staff? (The higher the percentage, the more loyal and experienced its staff members will be, he says.) Finally, look for an experienced camp director.
Overnight camps
Catalina Sea Camp, Toyon Bay, Santa Catalina Island: Adventures such as snorkeling, sailing, ocean kayaking and hands-on marine science characterize make Catalina Sea Camp, for children 8 and up. Older campers can get scuba certified, and everyone enjoys traditional fun such as campfires and beach parties. One-week sessions for children 8-13 run June 11-17, 18-24 and June 25-July 1 at a cost of $1,600-$1,700. Three-week sessions for teens run July 3-22 and July 24-Aug. 12 at a cost of $4,400. catalinaseacamp.org
YMCA Camp E.L.K., Wrightwood: Kids can connect with nature at a camp that offers traditional activities such as hiking, canoeing, archery, a ropes course and swimming. Enrollment is limited to 80, with a camper-to-staff ratio of 5 to 1. The camp serves children ages 8-14 with four sessions: July 10-16, 17-23, 24-30 and July 31-Aug. 6. The cost is $595, with a 10 percent sibling discount. ymcaoc.org/camp-elk
Camp Scherman, near Idyllwild: Owned and operated by the Girl Scouts of Orange County, Camp Scherman has been giving girls the chance to build outdoor skills and friendships for 47 years. The camp offers canoeing, archery, swimming and hiking to all campers, along with themed sessions on a variety of interests including horsemanship, science and cooking. The camp serves girls only, second grade and up, with sessions of varying lengths running July 5-Aug. 5. The cost ranges from $332-$680 for a four-day camp to $1,072-$1,580 for an eight-day horse camp. girlscoutsoc.org/camp
ID Tech Camps, UC Irvine: If your child wants to design video games, code apps or produce movies, these computer camps fit the bill. Campers learn STEM skills in groups of eight and get a taste of collegiate life by staying overnight on the UCI campus. While day camps serve children as young as 7, overnight camp is limited to children 10 and up. Weeklong sessions run June 20-Aug. 26 at a cost of $1,468-$1,568 per week. There’s also a two-week computer game-design academy for teens July 31-Aug. 12 for $3,899. iD Tech programs held in SoCal
Teen Entrepreneur Academy, Concordia University: This weeklong residential camp at Concordia University’s Irvine campus will give kids a taste of real-world entrepreneurship, free enterprise and what it takes to launch their own business. Teens work in small groups to prepare a start-up business plan, with the winning team taking home a $1,000 prize. The academy runs July 24-30 and costs $1,000. cui.edu/tea
Saddleback Kids Summer Camp, Blue Jay: Saddleback Church offers an overnight camp for children in grades four through six. Campers need not be members of the Saddleback congregation. Camp includes two chapel sessions and two devotional sessions daily, along with traditional camp activities including a ropes course, swimming and hiking. The camp, operated at the Alpine Camp and Conference Center near Lake Arrowhead, runs July 11-15 and costs $415. saddleback.com/connectministry/saddleback-kids
