Camp is Bubble Wrap Free!

Are your kids bubble wrapped kids?  The best place to start in order to answer this question is to define what that means.  Lenore Skenazy who is a parenting expert, columnist, and author of Free Range Kids says that it is "overprotective parenting motivated by fears of societal dangers."  Although there is no harm meant in this style of parenting it is motivated by fear and therefore can do more harm than good in the end.     

Am I overprotecting my child in a way that is denying them the freedom they need to become strong and independent individuals?  It is a hard question to ask yourself as it implies that you as a parent may have been, or may still be overprotecting them in some way.  Most parents are using a part of this style in their parenting since it has slowly become the normal and accepted method of parenting in our culture.  It is hard to go against the methods of friends, neighbours, and family members - but what if you did let go just a little?  Ask yourself what would happen if you made a radical decision to free your child or children from the confines of the bubble wrap that has so carefully been put in place to keep them safe? 

Summer can be a great time to let your children explore, create, enjoy the sunshine, get their hands in the mud, sand, and water and just be kids!  It is a great time to test the waters of life without the bubble wrap.  Summer means camp and camp is everything that a parent could ask for in the way of providing kids with an experience that includes freedom while still providing guidance and supervision.  It is a wonderful and nurturing environment for children of all ages and it can take place in a variety of settings that will suit the needs of any child.   

What makes camp so different from other environments in this regard?  Well here are the top 5 things that make camp the perfect un-bubble wrapped place to send your child this summer:

1.    YOUTH LEADERSHIP - The staff at camp programs are young enough to connect with children in a different way than a parent or teacher and so children express themselves differently in this environment.    This relationship in itself makes your camper feel more of a sense of independence within a supervised environment.

2.    A LITTLE BIT OF CRAZY GOES A LONG WAY - Being in an atmosphere where anything goes is super special for campers of all ages!  Camp is a bit crazy and wild on a daily basis.  There is such freedom in the silly moments that only the camp atmosphere can inspire.  Silly is the new cool at camp.

3.    FREE TIME - Freedom within the daily schedule may seem like a paradox - but - not at camp.  Most camp programs provide some unstructured time to just simply "be" at camp.  This time is an intrigal part of childhood development.  Our children need to be creative, and be given the chance to feel board and come up with games and ideas of what to do on their own.  This will also give them a moment to reflect, be quiet, observe, think and just enjoy hanging out.  Unstructured moments can be few and far between in daily life during the school year  - so - be sure to add some of these moments in the summer at camp! 

4.    THE ONLY GOAL IS FUN - As we all know having a goal is important -however - there are some things in life that you can do just for fun!  Camp is one of those things.  There are no certificates, diplomas, or grades handed out at most camps.  It is all about silly, unbridled, unapologetic, belly laughing FUN!!!!!  Yahoo! 

5.    HAPPY, DIRTY, TIRED, and HUNGRY - You may need to stock up on laundry detergent, and add some extra food in the lunch box for your camper this summer but be assured...they will come home happy and pooped! 

Free yourself and your child this summer and let them explore a new side of themselves at a camp program.  They will thrive, create, have a blast, and try new things! 

All of this will help to develop new and exciting parts of the wonderful individual people they are becoming as each day passes! 

You will also get to enjoy watching new parts of them blossom in this environment.  They will have so much to tell you at the end of each day about all that they have done and the new friends and camp counsellors they are meeting!  This will be sure to build your bond with your child in a healthy way that is motivated by excitement rather than fear. 

HAPPY CAMPING!

Mary-Kay Amos

Camp Owner of Kids Inc Camp.  

Kids Inc Camp is a summer day camp serving Mississauga, Brampton, Halton Hills, and surrounding areas. 

Kids Inc Camp is celebrating 10 years of happy campers this year! 

www.kidsinc.ca admin@kidsinc.ca or 519-855-6074