SPRING 2019 WashingtonFamily.com CAMPS & ACTIVITIES from the everyday The world in which our children live is complex. Their daily schedules are often full with school, homework, team activities (athletic, ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS / WAVEBREAKMEDIA academic, arts, theater, music, etc.), playdates, family visits, chores and, yes, cell phones/ computers/video games. THE BENEFITS OF SLEEPAWAY CAMP BY GLENN SMITH J ust as we recognize and learn to accept this cur- rent world around us, we can, and should, remember a key element of physical and emotional well-being: moder- ation. Moderation gives us the opportunity to sidestep overload, stress and lack of sleep — and those are just a few benefits. It gives our kids an opportunity to con- trol the noise and control the demands on their time. It gives them permission to unplug. Unplugging from technology allows our kids to be the story, not text the story. While fall, winter and spring are dictated by schools and schedules, the summer presents an oppor- tunity to recharge, ener- gize and moderate the hec- tic life the rest of the year demands. It’s a moment for interacting in real time, with real people, for real experi- ences. Nicole M. Stern, Ph.D., a practicing licensed psycholo- gist in D.C. notes that “camp provides a cell-phone free zone, meaning no social media, which is so freeing for these kids.” We know that our kids live in a world that requires them to plug in maybe more than we would like. But, sleep- away summer camp presents that unique opportunity to change that part of their daily routine, even if only for a few weeks. It provides the opportunity to not only have fun — but to unplug — and experience new activ- ities and adventures in a safe and wel- coming environment. Plus, there are additional benefits. Camp brings our children closer to nature, and encourages social and emo- tional development while encouraging independence, resiliency, empathy and adaptability. Alfred Adler, a noted philoso- pher and psychiatrist (1870-1937), stressed three things that are important to one’s emotional health and well-being: the need to feel connected, to contribute to some- thing beyond the individual and to feel capa- ble. While he introduced these ideas more than 80 years ago, they are still true today. Sleepaway camp addresses all of Adler’s concepts. Children need to establish rela- tionships and connect with peers and counselors as they navigate their day. Building friendships, learning empathy and caring for others all help create a strong emotional core. Helping clean the cabin, writing a camp song, paddling a canoe — all of these activities give kids a chance to practice contributing through teamwork and collaboration. Mastering the skill of archery or wall climbing, through practice and perseverance, strengthen feelings of confidence and capability. Tina Payne Bryson, Ph.D., a pediatric and adolescent psychotherapist and the co-au- thor of “The Whole-Brain Child,” was inter- viewed in the January ‘14 issue of Camping magazine. She noted the very real physi- cal effect of growing these social skills by stating, “Bunks are good for brains … pro- moting independence, confidence, friend- ship-building, resilience, thriving, charac- ter, grit, etc.” She further adds, “Experience changes brains … it’s like a muscle. When it’s used, it grows and strengthens.” Other benefits from daily cabin activi- ties include the development of fairness, exploration and curiosity while maximizing intellectual, moral and physical develop- ment. With ample opportunities for kids to be their best selves, camp life provides countless new experiences for fun, happy and healthy personal growth in a safe and encouraging environment with friends and caring counselors. Sleepaway camp is not only an extraordinary gift, but a life changing experience. Children learn to persevere when challenged by unfamiliar experi- ences. They learn patience and confi- dence when connecting with others and the importance of working together for a positive shared experience. When exploring a camp program for your child, you should consider developmentally appropriate and nurturing environments that promote self-esteem, leadership, inde- pendence, conflict resolution and team building. Understanding the camp philoso- phy, leadership and culture is imperative in finding the right program for your child. Dr. Stern explains, “Camp provides an opportunity for children to learn and to grow … for many children this allows them to try new things, voice new opin- ions and do things that they may never have been exposed to.” Parents can help by choosing sleep- away camps that encourage children to experience new activities, form new relationships and integrate the camper into camp life in a nurturing, safe and fun environment. The right sleepaway camp can be a won- derful life changing event for children — a treasured experience that lasts forever.  ■ CHOOSING THE RIGHT SLEEPAWAY CAMP Questions for Parents Questions for Camp Directors According to the American Camp Association (ACA), below are some questions to ask yourself when searching for a sleepaway camp for your child: Here are some important questions to ask camp directors before deciding on a camp: 1. What locale do I want to consider? (Mountains, oceanfront, distance from home, etc.) 2. Do I want a traditional camp that gives my child a wide-variety of experiences, or do I want to select a specialty camp that focuses on a particular activity or set of skills? 1. Does the camp provide flexible programming and a nurturing environment? 2. Is team building a component of cabin life? 3. How are the counselors trained to handle conflict? 4. How are physical, intellectual and moral development incorporated into the camp program? 3. What size enrollment will make my child feel comfortable? 5. How does the camp optimize opportunities for independence and emotional growth? 4. How structured do I want the program to be? Does my child like to have lots of choice in the activity schedule? 6. What programs are in place to facilitate leadership skills? 5. What session length will appeal to my child and to our family plans for the summer? 7. How is the camp environment optimized for developing healthy self-esteem? Glenn Smith is the owner and director of Camp Tall Timbers, an award-winning camp program, located in the beautiful foothills of the Blue Ridge mountains in High View, WV. For over 48 years, Camp Tall Timbers has been promoting independence, decision-making, socialization, skill building, confidence, creativity and self-discovery in a safe and nurturing environment. SUMMER FUN CAMP SkateQuest is the BEST place for you and your family to cool off this summer we have camps for everyone – all ages – all levels! Perfect for the very beginner or recreational skater! Ages 4.5 to 12! $300.00 per week. 1800 Michael Faraday Court • Reston, VA • 703-709-1010 www.skatequest.com Join The Champions! 2019 Classes Enrolling Now Visit our website fore more info! www.FencingSports.net A Child’s Place at Hollin Hall 2 years to 12 years. Approved Curriculum by NAEYC. • • • • • • School Age Program Before and After School Care, Open all day for Snow Days and Teacher Work Days Winter and Spring Break Camps Guaranteed spot for Summer Camp Sibling Discount and Family Registration Area Elementary Schools: Waynewood, Fort Hunt, Stratford Landing and HollinMeadows. Monday thru Friday 7am till 6pm A CHILD’S PLACE AT HOLLIN HALL 1500 Shenadoah Road • Alexandria , VA 22308 703-765-8811 • acphollinh@aol.com www.hollinhall.com • Facebook: A Child’s Place at Hollin Hall • • • • • • • Outdoor Adventures Gardening Clubs and Mini Sessions Water Play and Swimming Lunch and Snacks Included Arts and Crafts Build Self Confidence and Make New Friends Register Now at www.campedventure.com or call 703-583-6158 More than 55 locations in Virginia DISCOVER THE RISE THIS SUMMER. Curiosity. Imagination. Innovation. THE POWER OF SUMMER. 2019 Theme: Space Exploration and Investigation Two-week and four-week sessions for rising sixth through eighth graders available June 30-July 26, 2019. Flight camp for high school students also available. INSPIRE NSPIRE THE RISE WITHIN. OPEN HOUSE February 18th, or contact us to schedule a personal tour. WWW.RMA.EDU/SUMMER-CAMP | 540-636-5484 Summer Camp at Chesterbrook Academy • • • • • • • • ® Day camp with extended hours Field trips and events Exciting STEM activities Arts and crafts Sports and games Music, dance and drama Water activities Community outreach projects Locations in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan area 877-959-3746 For more information, visit ChesterbrookAcademy.com/Camp