Essay - The Importance of Summer Camps and Programs in the Development...

The Importance of Summer Camps and Programs in the Development of Children

Purpose of the Paper

The purpose ***** this paper is to represent to the reader the importance of organized summer camps ***** programs in youth development. A special emphasis throughout the paper is placed on the *****fluence of recreation on child ***** and personal growth.

By defining ***** effect of the summer camp experience and presenting relevant statistics from reputable opinion leaders, ***** paper will reveal that ***** camp programs play a signific*****nt role in the youth development. There are three key ***** *****as discussed in this paper, which include social skills, self-identity, and physical/ health.

Overview

There are nearly 10,000 camps in the United States accompanying over six million children each summer (National Camp Association). Summer ***** have been an American tradition dating back to ***** early 1900s. The summer curriculum ***** these camps bring out the excitement of ***** season, while *****fering a myriad of opportunity for childhood learning and growth.

***** of the key positive outcomes of ***** camp ***** as stated by Camping Magazine author Garavaglia-Maiorano include the following:

***** thinking ***** inquiry ***** used as primary tools to examine issues.

Campers learn and incre*****e collaboration with each other.

Active learning replace passive instruction.

Continuous and spontaneous reflection occurs ***** the entire process.

Campers develop a sense of civic ***** social responsibility.

Participants serve and be served by their involvement.

Campers increase self-esteem and self-knowledge.

Campers develop communication, problem-solving, and social skills.

*****)

Particular ***** influences are ***** social, interpersonal ***** physical growth areas. Camps allow children a safe haven to discover and express their individual character, learn about their social and environmental responsibilities, and to participate in *****y outdoor and recreational activities.

Core ***** Areas

Social Skills Development

Social ***** are critical ***** the development of youth into successful adults. Social systems involve information sharing, problem solving, rules and procedures, and inter-personal interaction with peers ***** adults. Each of ***** areas is prevalent in the camp environment along with an atmosphere of recreation.

Research conducted by Roper Starch shows that ********** value the ***** that ***** recreation plays in address*****g social concerns, particularly as ********** relate to youth.

Even in the case of tough social problems such as juvenile crime (71%), underage drinking (66%), and illegal drug use (64%), outdoor recreation is viewed by a strong majority as having a ***** role to play (Roper ***** Starch).

A camp environment provides a vast opportunity for ***** outdoor recreation experience, while ********** the expertise of ***** professionals in the building of ***** assets. Specific assets include social values and competencies, the constructive use of time, the understanding of and control ***** behaviors, and the respect of social diversity.

Numerous camp pr*****essionals have noted social ***** and ***** as key ***** outcomes. Particular activities ***** ***** of the ***** experience ***** affect the building ***** this asset ***** ***** opportunity ***** make new friends, to ***** positive social interactions ***** peers and adults, and to