The Benefits of Summer Camp: Finding the right fit for your child  

Summer. Most kids look forward to it, counting down each day with enthusiasm until school is out, trading homework and tests for family holidays, cold treats and outdoor fun. But as parents, we know that excitement is fleeting as boredom creeps up and summer reality sets in. With our everyday responsibilities, fending off the never-ending “I’m bored” comments and devising engaging activities that give our child a fun-filled summer has become increasingly difficult.   

Summer camps might just be the solution you’ve been looking for! They’re a great way to keep your child active and the perfect cure for summer boredom. Not to mention there are incredible benefits to enrolling children in summer camps. From making new friends to developing critical social, emotional and cognitive skills, the advantages of summer camp are endless.  

So, while getting your children out of the house for some well-deserved peace and quiet is an obvious win, there are more benefits to attending summer camp than you may have thought. 

Seven Benefits of Summer Camp  

Build Independence and Resilience 

Most summer camp curriculums focus on exploration, learning and aspects of personal growth. They allow children to safely explore their interests while uncovering their strengths and weaknesses. Separated from familiar environments such as home and school, summer camps help children take on exciting new challenges as they develop the ability to trust themselves. Overall, summer camps are a terrific way to help your child become more independent and resilient. 

Screen Break 

There’s no getting around it; we live in a digital world. And as parents, it has become increasingly more difficult to pull our young ones away from their screens to enjoy non-digital activities. Summer camps are a great way to avoid some of the classic summer grumbles and get your child active and excited.  Finding a summer camp that aligns with your child’s interests allows them to take some space away from their screens to meet and socialize IRL (in real life) with kids interested in similar activities.  

Teamwork and Collaboration 

The foundation of summer camp activities typically incorporates aspects of teamwork and collaboration.  Away from familiar places like home and school, summer camps offer a unique opportunity to help your child learn skills outside of their comfort zones.  They offer children the opportunity to connect and work with others they may have never interacted with prior.  Building teamwork and collaboration skills benefit your child in the long term. For example, school projects, playing with siblings or relatives and later in life at internships and jobs. Camps can help you lay the basis of these skills now to help set your child up for a successful future. 

Staying Active 

After a few games of tag and catch, keeping children engaged and active can be a genuine struggle. And despite our best intentions, summer can quickly turn into our children lounging around and relying on digital devices for entertainment. While relying on tablets isn’t necessarily a bad thing all the time, by offering opportunities for children to be active with fun, exciting and social activities like summer camp, you can help develop your child’s overall physical health. Summer camps take the pressure off you as the schedule is already planned and structured in a way that promotes physical activities, excitement and collaboration. Summer camps are a great opportunity for you to keep your children active throughout the summer. 

Learn and Develop New Interests 

How many of us have had our kids beg and plead to join a sports league, start dance lessons or join an outdoor club, only to turn around and complain about not wanting to go after you’ve already paid the enrollment fees? Before making the longer and more expensive commitment of enrolling in after-school activities during the year, summer camps are a fantastic opportunity to let your child give a new interest a try. They can explore something they’ve already shown interest in or develop new interests depending on the camp chosen. Summer camps can help you decide which activities to enroll your child in during the school year and help them develop the confidence to try new and expand their current interests.  

Positive Role Models 

Summer camp counselors and staff can be excellent role models for your children. They’re carefully selected to provide guidance throughout the camp sessions.  They can keep your child engaged, help mitigate squabbles and be an overall positive source camp participants can go to when they need help. Camp participants can also be positive role models to your children and vice versa!  

Memories 

Best of all, summer camps create some of the fondest memories. Many adults reflect on their days at summer camp, remembering the friendships made, the carefree afternoons filled with impromptu games, songs, laughter and the freedom to explore. Summer camp can be a great opportunity to help fill your child’s summer with memories they will be sure to hold onto for the rest of their lives. 

Cedar Point Sports Center Summer Camps 

There are so many different types of summer camps these days; narrowing down which ones are right for you can be a real challenge.  With many factors to consider, such as the cost and duration of the camp, not to mention your family’s summer schedule, finding one that meets all your needs can be a headache. At Cedar Point Sports Center, we offer summer camps that are thrilling and fun! Here are a few general details about our camps: 

Age range: We offer a range of camps developed for pre-k through 8th grade 
Price range: Our camps range from $50-115 per camper 
Duration: Our camps range between 2-4 days 

Camp Descriptions: 

Pre-K Camp 1 & 2  

Our Pre-K Camp is perfect for your little one getting ready for Pre-K. One of our newest camps, created for 3–4-year-olds, this 2-hour, 2-day camp is a wonderful way for your toddler to work on improving and developing basic motor skills. We’ll have fun games focusing on different sports, fitness and general recreation.  

Climbing Camp   

Is your child climbing trees, fences or really anything in sight? Our Climbing Camp challenges participants individually and as a team to tackle various climbing walls throughout the week. Developed for kids ranging from K-8th grade, participants will learn how to climb and conquer each wall efficiently!  

*Participants must be at least 35 lbs. 

Ninja Camp 

What do you get when you combine martial arts, obstacle training and a whole lot of fun? Our Ninja Camp!  Designed for all skill levels, this camp will test and develop participants’ strength, speed and fitness levels. We’ll run each camper through the basics and help each participant complete our Ninja course. 

*Participants must be at least 8 years old to participate 

Youth Summer Sports Camp  

Is your child interested in every sport under the sun? While we might not be able to cover them all, our Youth Summer Sports Camp was created for all sports lovers. Designed for K-8th graders, this camp takes participants through eight separate sports in just four days. We’ll have fun while learning the fundamentals, running through drills and playing each game! 

Youth Basketball Camp 

This four-day camp will walk participants through the fundamentals of Basketball. Designed for K-8th graders, we’ll work on drills to improve and develop basic skills to help each camper shine. Participants will have the opportunity to showcase their talents throughout camp during contests and gameplay experiences! 

Youth Wrestling Camp 

This camp is perfect for experienced and non-experienced wrestlers. Created for K-8th graders, our Wrestling Camp focuses on the fundamental skills of grappling. Participants can show off what they’ve learned in contests and wrestling competitions! 

Adventure Camp  

Does your child love adventure? Our Adventure Camp is perfect for ages 10-14 and features a variety of activities, including Climbing Walls, our Ninja Wall, Scavenger hunts, kayaking/paddling and more! In collaboration with Lake Erie Adventure Co., this camp is perfect for venturesome campers. 

Summer Kids Camp 

Looking to get your child out and active this summer? Our Summer Kids Camp, designed for K-8th graders, will explore all kinds of physical education games. From Climbing Walls to obstacle courses, kickball and more, this camp is perfect for adding some physical activity to your child’s summer. 

Youth Volleyball Camp  

Learn the fundamentals of Volleyball. Designed for K-8th graders, this camp focuses on the basics, running drills and developing the skills of youth volleyball players. Participants can show off their everything they’ve learned throughout the camp with content and gameplay experiences built into the camp! 

Ready to give your child a fun-packed summer with experiences they’ll never forget? Check out our Summer Camps today! If your ideal camp has closed registration or your summer is already full of fun adventures, you haven’t missed out!  We offer similar opportunities throughout the year with our Youth Leagues.