Summer Camp Can Foster Social Development in Youth

I’ve often thought that new experiences that allow children to meet and interact with others helps with social development and a study that I came across bears this idea out:

Summer camp can do “s’more” than teach kids to canoe, hike, and sing fun songs: New research indicates that summer camp can significantly enhance the social development of youth.

“Camp can make a critical difference in kids’ lives,” says Michael Gass, professor of outdoor education at University of New Hampshire and lead researcher on the project, conducted in cooperation with the American Youth Foundation at AYF’s Camp Merrowvista in Tuftonboro, N.H. (http://www.ayf.com/about_mv.asp)

Gass and researchers from UNH surveyed youth between the ages of 8 and 13 at the beginning and the end of the summer of 2004, comparing the inter- and intrapersonal skills of campers at Camp Merrowvista with youth who were awaiting attendance in a fall program at Merrowvista. The summer campers showed significantly greater improvement in a variety of social skills, including time management, initiating action in new situations, self-confidence, task leadership, and interpersonal skills.

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Off to Summer Camp: New DVD/CD Series Helps Parents and Children Prepare for the Best

Attention parents of summer campers! Renowned psychologist Dr. Christopher Thurber has turned 25 years’ of expert summer camp experience and advice into The Secret Ingredients of Summer Camp Success — an engaging, insightful DVD/CD series that helps parents and kids prepare for a great summer camp experience. büji™ skin care—the brand that outsmarts the outdoor elements—is a co-sponsor of the series.

“Summer camp is like any other life experience,” states Dr. Thurber who also authored the successful Summer Camp Handbook. “The better you prepare for it, the more you get out of it. This new DVD/CD series will make it easy for more families to proactively plan for a positive, rewarding adventure.”

“We are happy to support such a worthwhile endeavor,” said Cadey O’Leary Hershoff, president of Cade Laboratories — makers of büji. “We share Chris’ passion for camping and the great outdoors as well as his fervent belief that good preparation leads to a good experience. Whether you’re a summer camper or a weekend hiker.”

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