Letting your children join an educational camp is one of the best ways you can ensure they do something productive and worthwhile this summer.
When your kids attend one of the most recommended educational summer camps in or near your area, you help them gain new knowledge or skills. The right activity during their holiday will also enable them to retain and put into practice the important things they learned in the past school year.
Whether your children learn something new or apply and polish their knowledge and skills, they will avoid the harmful effects of the dreaded summer slide. They will have an excellent head start for the next school year and the future as well.
Mixing Learning and Fun in Summer Camp
Aside from learning, kids who attend educational summer camps can look forward to other enjoyable and valuable activities and events. However, you may need to help them as they try to get the most out of this experience.
Below are five ways you can help your little ones make the most of their educational summer camp experience:
1. Help them choose the right camp
Summer learning camps offer different themes or subjects. Some of the most popular ones today are STEM, math, science, robotics, and English camps.
To be sure your children get to enjoy every minute of this summer activity and learn something valuable, let them choose the camp they will join. For instance, if they are interested in AI, encourage them to sign up for a robotics camp.
By considering their interests and preferences, you will ensure you won’t be throwing away your money. You will be certain your kids won’t waste their time and effort as well.
When your kids are learning and doing things they are passionate or curious about, they will love every minute they spend at the camp.
2. Ask them to set their goals
When your kids know what they want to achieve from the summer camp, they will be more motivated to stay invested in and work hard on all the activities.
If your children are having difficulty setting their goals, lend them a hand. Explain to them that they don’t need to come up with grand objectives; they can start with small, achievable targets.
Encourage your kids to plan ahead, as well. Help them explore activities and strategies that will allow them to continue practicing and enhancing their skills, and to reach their goals once the camp is over.
3. Ask them to participate in all activities
Children will find some aspects of the summer camp more enjoyable and valuable than others. However, it would be a shame if your little ones only participate in or do their best in activities that they like.
As such, encourage your kids to take part in all camp activities. They don’t have to like them, but they should at least give them a try.
Explain to your kids that all activities are carefully selected to help participants maximize their time at camp. If your little ones want to achieve their goals, they will do well to participate and give all their effort in carrying out all activities.
4. Encourage your little ones to socialize with their campmates
Summer camps do not only provide opportunities for your children to learn. They are also excellent outlets that will allow them to meet and make new friends.
Whether your kids are friendly by nature or a bit shy, encourage them to talk to and mingle with the other children at the camp. By doing so, you will help them develop their socialization skills.
Additionally, you will enable them to be more open-minded and accepting of children who come from different backgrounds. This is a great way to broaden their social circles as well.
5. Encourage them to interact with the camp instructors as well
Children who sign up for camps that focus on specialized areas such as STEM, math, and robotics will benefit significantly if they get to know and mingle with their instructors.
Explain to your kids that the tutors for these specialized camps have also been carefully selected. They have the relevant knowledge and background which make them experts in their fields. Because of this, they are in a great position to help your children build and improve specific skills.
If you want your little ones to get more out of their summer camp, encourage them to ask their instructors questions. Also, tell them they shouldn’t be shy about talking to them.
Whether your kids want to add something to the topic being discussed, or want to know more about the tutor’s educational background, they should never hesitate. When they share, they get more valuable learning experiences.
Educational summer camps do not only give kids opportunities to learn and enhance their skills. They allow participants to meet and make new friends, find possible mentors and sources of inspiration, and at the same time, have fun during their holiday.
AUTHOR BIO
Maloy Burman is the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Premier Genie FZ LLC. He is responsible for driving Premier Genie into a leadership position in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Education space in Asia, Middle East and Africa and building a solid brand value. Premier Genie is currently running 5 centers in Dubai and 5 centers in India with a goal to multiply that over the next 5 years.
