While choosing the right Teen Summer Camps may be more complicated than selecting a general interest camp for a younger child, the rewards can be even richer. A teenager is in the midst of an incredible growth spurt. There is a literal physical change that you may see when your teen arrives home, but equally important are the emotional, spiritual, intellectual, and social changes that a challenging summer program can produce in a child in this age group.
Finding the right summer program for teens is not all that different than that of a ten year old. It is important to find a safe, secure, and appropriate environment. Yet, teens need and are ready for new challenges and increased independence. Yearly, as interests expand and your child matures, reexamine your choice.
Remeber, interests, and abilities of a 13 year-old are quite different from that of a 17 year-old. So, when thinking programs, you should always keep in mind your child’s maturity. Supervision in many of the programs designed for teens is less than for younger children, so be sure to ask. One great resource is Summer Camp Advice, a free website that offers all sorts of information on how to select a summer camp.
As you know a teenager is part kid and part adult. So planning way in advance may be difficult. Yet, good programs may fill-up fast. Early registration will give you the widest range of selection.
The best way to start is to sit down and listen to your child. Often you can strengthen your relationship with your teenager. Discuss with your child his interests, concerns, and values. You need to talk with your teen about what each of you want the summer to be. Look for opportunities for personal growth as well as just getting better in a sport. Be ready for ” I don’t want to do anything.”
Their are many teen programs available and its important to try to find the right one. As a parent do not give up right away. Sometimes you have to really look hard to find the right answer. The internet is a very useful tool for this. But it is helpful to know what kind of program you are thinking of. Is it: serving, traveling or adventure or a little of all. One great resource is Summer Camp Advice, a free website that offers all sorts of information on how to select a summer camp.
One of the best ways to reconcile your goals with your child’s is to piece together the summer with activities from both of your lists. Although it is more difficult and figuring things out may be more time consuming, your teen will get a broader experience for your work.
Rules for the Summer are extra important If you decide that your teenager doing local programs for the summer. Expectation, chores, and schedules need to be laid out in advance. This will be especially important if this will be the first summer in years that your youngster is spending at home.
Swift Nature Camp may be the perfect fit for your teenager. Swift Nature Camp is unique among teen summer camps in that we provide teens a special opportunity to make friends in a relaxed and fun-filled environment, to build self-esteem and independence, and to challenge themselves with new physical and creative activities. We realize teenagers want to do things for themselves and are bored by a “normal” camp. So we provide an Adventure Camp program with loads of opportunities cabins often leave camp and go out into the big open wild and see the Apostle Islands, go to the International Wolf Center or find themselves canoeing down the Mississippi River.
Last and most importantly remember youth is limited and no adult ever looked back and recalls the good old days of just watching TV all summer!
TO learn more how to select an Summer Camp visit Summer Camp Advice. Summer Camp.
Swift Nature Camp, a non-competitive, Coed Summer Camp for teenagers. Campers enjoy Adventure trips along with in camp activities: Scuba, Sailing, Skiing and more. To learn more click Minnesota Summer Camps