Attending summer camp is a quintessential childhood experience in which kids spend several nights away from home while learning outdoor skills. At camp, kids get a taste of independence in a supervised outdoor environment.
What Are the Main Benefits of Summer Camps?
There are several psychological benefits of summer camps beyond just the fun experience for kids and teens:
- Builds friendships, social skills, and communication abilities
- Develops self-esteem, independence, and leadership skills
- Kids can embrace nature, get a break from technology, and engage in physical activity
- Teaches resiliency, teamwork, and how to make friends
- Camp keeps kids active and teaches them about healthy lifestyles
- Enhances growth and fosters creativity
- Camp educates the whole child on breaks from school
- Kids make lasting memories
If you are on the fence about sending your child to sleep away camp this summer, then this article is for you. We will cover all the benefits of Overland Summers’ outdoor programs as well as ways to prepare your child for the experience of camp.
The 14 Benefits that Kids Get From Attending Summer Camp
For many kids, attending camp is their first experience being away from home for an extended amount of time. While this can be emotionally challenging, it is a chance for kids to develop their own independence and practice making friends in a different environment. Parents who have sent their kids on Overland adventures can attest that the kids get the following benefits from their experience:
1. Building Self-Esteem Through Challenges
Self-esteem is a term used to describe a person’s opinion of themselves, including their worth and abilities. Children start developing self-esteem as toddlers, and adolescence is a key time when their self-esteem can benefit from extra support and encouragement.
One of the psychological benefits of summer camps is that allowing kids to struggle and overcome challenges on their own does more for their self-esteem than praise alone. When kids and teens learn new skills, they learn that they are capable of overcoming adversity.
2. Developing Social Skills in a New Setting
Summer camps offer a unique opportunity for kids to develop social skills, which they may not get in school alone. When kids are in school, they are often with the same group of kids for their entire education, thus they are able to follow the same social scripts and keep the same friend group.
However, summer camps attract a wider range of kids from all different backgrounds and with different interests. Although this can initially be awkward for kids, it’s important for them to learn how to befriend new people. This helps kids develop useful social skills as they explore the great outdoors.
3. Making Life-Long Memories in Nature
A core element of summer camp is being outside in nature! By going on backpacking trips and day hikes, kids can learn about the natural world. Some trips even include an aquatic element, which can involve sea kayaking past glaciers while watching birds of prey dive into the clear blue water to catch fish. It’s an experience your child or teen will never forget!
4. Building Resiliency
Resilience grows when kids face challenges and build strong connections with others. Many outdoor programs start with smaller activities and gradually increase in difficulty, helping kids build stamina and confidence. By the end, they often tackle their biggest challenge yet—whether that’s reaching a mountain peak or completing a long kayaking trip.
5. Summer Camp Teaches Teamwork
Teamwork is a core part of the summer camp experience; kids need to work together to make their meals, pitch tents, steer the canoe or raft, and use their language skills to communicate with locals on language trips. All Overland trip leaders are trained to facilitate teamwork within their small group of kids.
Get in touch with Overland Summers to learn about the trip options or apply to your child’s dream trip today.
6. It’s Important to Build Independence
As kids turn into teens and as teens prepare for adulthood, it is important for them to gradually become more independent. This part of growing up can be hard for parents because it involves giving your child some space and letting them learn from their mistakes.
One of the benefits of summer camps is how it helps kids build independence. By virtue of being away from parents for multiple nights, kids have the opportunity to navigate challenges on their own. They learn to problem solve without running to a parent for help and thereby learn that they are capable of doing things without a parent present.
7. Expanding Horizons
Self-esteem starts developing early but really grows when kids face new challenges. Summer camps give kids a chance to try things on their own, build confidence, and see what they’re capable of. Whether it’s hiking, canoeing, or pitching a tent, overcoming these tasks helps kids feel proud and more independent.
If you’re looking for adventures that boost confidence and independence, Overland Summers offers trips designed to help kids grow through challenge and exploration.
8. Age-Appropriate, Enjoyable Physical Activity
Kids spend a lot of time sitting these days, both when they are learning at school and when they are studying or relaxing at home. This is why it’s more important than ever for kids to engage in physical activity during the summer months. One of the physical benefits of summer camps is that they get kids on their feet, using their muscles, and enjoying every second of it.
9. Developing Leadership Skills
Summer camps give kids the chance to develop leadership skills by taking initiative, making decisions, and supporting their peers. These experiences build confidence and teach them how to lead both by example and through effective communication.
10. Learning Language Through Immersion
Maintaining a love of learning during the summer helps students stay ready and excited for the school year ahead. Some summer programs include language immersion experiences where teens can learn from native speakers while exploring new places. These trips combine education with adventure, making learning both fun and meaningful.
Overland Summers offers language immersion trips in Spain and France that blend outdoor exploration with daily language lessons.
11. Introduction to a Healthy Lifestyle
Health at summer camp isn’t just about staying active—nutritious meals play a big role too. Camps typically provide balanced meals with protein, fruits, vegetables, dairy, and whole grains. Preparing meals together helps kids learn about cooking, nutrition, and developing a positive relationship with food.
Beyond general nutrition, many camps are also thoughtful about dietary needs. Whether it’s accommodating food allergies, intolerances, or personal preferences like vegetarianism, responsible camps put systems in place to ensure every child is safe and well-fed. At Overland, for example, families can review a comprehensive food allergy policy that outlines the steps taken to support campers with allergies or dietary restrictions—from pre-trip planning to group meal prep in the field.
12. Fostering Creativity by Educating the Whole Child
Adults who have fond memories of their own summer camp experience likely remember all the opportunities they had to be creative! When kids attend camp, they often have to engage in some creative problem solving, such as figuring out how to cook their favorite meals with local ingredients or over a campfire. There are plenty of little moments for art during a trip, like making flower crowns during a lunch break or capturing scenic moments with a camera while in Spain.
13. Camp Introduces New Ways to Stay Active
The key to life-long health is for young people to find a form of physical activity that they enjoy and to stick with it. One of the physical benefits of summer camps is allowing kids to try different kinds of outdoor activity to see which one calls to them.
Kids and teens who already enjoy hiking may discover that they love the freedom of backpacking and have the desire to do more trips. Some trips also include river rafting, kayaking, and canoeing; kids often learn one of these boat activities for the first time and then fall in love with it!
14. Honing Communication Abilities Without Technology
At summer camps, kids and teens learn how to make friends, how to be independent, and how to be leaders. One aspect of those skills is developing their communication outside of a screen.
In an environment without phones, campers can’t rely on Snapchats, emojis, or chat slang to talk to each other.
How to Maximize the Benefits of Summer Camps
The key to a successful, education, and fun experience at camp is preparation. As a parent, it is your job to give your child all the tools they need to make the most out of camp. There are 2 ways that you can ensure your child or teen has an amazing experience:
How to Prepare Your Child for Camp
Once you pick a camp, apply, and get accepted, you will need to prepare your child for the experience by:
- Purchasing and fitting their backpack
- Have your child try on all their gear, practice packing their backpack, and break in their hiking shoes
- Label all clothing items and pieces of gear with your child’s name
- Let your child talk about their concerns, worries, and points of nervousness
- Talk to the camp crew and read testimonials to get the better idea of what to expect
- Practice detoxing from technology and screens
- Complete the pre-trip training regiments, which will be provided to you in the family portal after you apply
- If your student has allergies, be sure that they know how to identify allergens
- Get in the habit of good nutrition so your child can be fueled for their trip
- Book travel arrangements. If it is an international trip, ensure that your child has all the necessary documents in order and check your airline’s procedures for unaccompanied minors
How To Choose A Summer Adventure For Your Child
Get first-hand insights into what you should look for when choosing the next summer travel adventure for your child.
Give Your Child the Gift of Adventure!
Sending your child to summer camp offers countless physical and emotional benefits, along with memories that last a lifetime. Outdoor adventures help kids grow in confidence, independence, and resilience while having fun in nature.
Consider exploring trips like those offered by Overland Summers to give your child an unforgettable experience. Reach out today to learn more or start the application process.
