Camp

When I visit a camp and consult with the leadership team there, I usually have two main messages. Number one: Whether you know it or not, you’re significantly impacting the brains of the young people you work with every summer. In fact, it turns out that the things that build the brain and are best for kids’ development are also the very things that are important for running a successful camp with high camper and counselor retention and successful recruitment. And number two: If you know just a few basic facts about the brain, you can be even better at everything I just mentioned. Knowing just a little about the science of how the brain changes in response to experiences, particularly relational experiences, can help camps be even more successful — in all kinds of ways.

• So, your child is ready for camp but you're not sure she is prepared for overnights away from home . . . .
• There's a wonderful day camp that your son's school friends have been enjoying for years — it's in a park near your home . . . .
• Your mother is staying with you this summer, and you don't want the grandchildren to miss an important chance to visit . . . .
• The ballet school your daughter attends is offering a summer camp program filled with outdoor activities, crafts, and dance instruction . . . .

Character development is tricky. It isn’t something that can be learned from a textbook or in a lecture — it is learned through teachable moments and experiences. So where can families turn to help provide the right environment for character development? Families can go camping.

As summer begins, parents are finalizing post-school plans for their children.Often, those schedules will include camp for a week, a month, or more.Some kids will attend day programs, others will enjoy overnight experiences.Their activities may be specialized, or include a little bit of most anything. Regardless of the exact ingredients, these children will learn the true meaning of what summer camp is all about.

Y Camps are designed to provide children with an adventurous, active and healthy summer. Y camps offer a fun and unique experience that gives children and teens the opportunity to meet new friends, explore nature, discover new interests, be ...