Released May 19, 2008

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Research continues to show the benefits of camp for school-age children. So just what are those benefits?

Camp is time-intensive educational experience for young people. Most youth experiences that provide similar social and educational opportunities meet sporadically for a few hours at a time. The intensity of the time with other youth at camp helps kids learn life skills that include sharing, responsibility, self-discipline, social skills and teamwork.

Parents and campers share stories of long-term relationships happening. Kids meet at camp, become pen pals or set up times to connect with each other beyond camp. In some cases long time family relationships develop.

Studies have shown evidence and testimony that the camp experience is powerfully positive, sometimes even a life changing experience for young people. One father shared that his daughter was different after camp. She was more self-confident and showed evidence of feeling accepted and having something important to contribute. She had never shown that she felt that way before.

A 2007 study at the University of California-Davis indicated that more than 95 percent of the kids wanted to return to camp the next year. In addition, 99 percent of parents felt the benefits to their child outweighed the cost and were glad that they sent their kids to camp.

There is a richness and mutual benefit at camp in quality relationships shared between youth and caring adults along with peers and families. Significant learning happens when youth are engaged in their experiences by being involved in the planning, and by having opportunities to reflect upon the experiences and apply the learning later on. All of this can happen at camp.

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http://www.extension.umn.edu/extensionnews/2008/campchoice.html

Contacts: Barbara Piehl is a Youth Develpment educator with University of Minnesota Extension.

Catherine Dehdashti, U of M Extension, (612) 625-0237, ced@umn.edu