I t’s every parent’s concern: What’s the best way for your child to spend his or her free time during summer and school breaks? To some, it’s a time for children to play and have fun. For others, it’s an opportunity for kids to hone their studies or learn new skills.

BUILDING FRIENDSHIPS AND SOCIAL SKILLS

At camp, children boost their self-esteem and develop risk-taking and conflict-resolution skills as they learn to make their own decisions without their parents’ help. One of the major benefits of camp is the social skills that develop, especially around interacting with other people in a positive way, says Glover. “The camping experience really develops emotional intelligence in children by making them more empathetic.

DEVELOPING RESILIENCY AND CONFIDENCE

By allowing children to take risks and face challenges, camp helps children build their independence, resiliency, and self-esteem in a safe, supervised and supportive environment.

BECOMING AND STAYING PHYSICAL

With video games, Facebook and smartphones all vying for a young person’s attention, the national epidemic of obesity and inactivity won’t be easy to overcome. A recent Statistics Canada study found that only seven percent of youth aged six to 19 got the recommended hour a day of exercise they need. Enter summer camp, where physical activity is well disguised in the form of fun and games, allowing youth to adopt a healthy lifestyle, often without even realizing it.

LEARNING THE VALUES OF LEADERSHIP

A leader isn’t always the loudest person in a group, or the most active. Many leaders share a range of skills and qualities that help him or her take charge: confidence, creativity in their decision-making and an understanding of teamwork, to name a few. It takes practice to become a good leader, too.

ACTIVE PLAY

Kids just want to have fun—and they need more of it, too. Many children today simply don’t get enough of unstructured playtime. “If you look at time in school, time at home, time watching TV, those things have either stayed consistent or gone up,” says Michelle Brownrigg, chief executive of Active Healthy Kids Canada. “But active playtime has decreased.” Canadian children are reportedly spending an average of four to six hours a day with TVs, computers and cellphones. Camp gives children the playtime they need while encouraging creativity and social engagement.