The Benefits of Being a VHFLC Camper!

Although many are familiar with VHFLC for its before and after school programs, our Summer Camps are also an integral part of our holistic childcare mission. In addition to providing families with the opportunity to structure schedules based on their summer plans, we've also crafted a camp environment that helps to bolster a variety of invaluable traits and skills, including self esteem, independence, and interpersonal ability. Read on to see a list of some of the skills and benefits we believe our children gain by attending VHFLC Summer Camp! 

Self-Assurance

1. Children gain confidence through diverse experiences. While at camp, children are exposed to new ideas, thoughts, and projects outside of the academic realm, which due to its format can stifle certain learning styles. VHFLC camp also offers a wide variety of competitive and non-competitive activities that can give children exposure to frequent, every-day victories. They learn that if they put their minds to something, they can do it! 

Discovering Individuality

2. Because of the volume of choices offered to campers, it is easy for kids to discover new interests at camp. A varied environment gives them the opportunity to try new things and to develop skills they might not have known they even have. It also helps them learn problem solving skills when faced with new challenges, and to gain resilience when things don't quite turn out the way they thought they would. 

Independence 

3. During the summer, VHFLC campers are given many opportunities to determine what they would like to do and experience while still in the framework of a safe environment. This freedom helps teach them skills in independent thinking and allows them to begin managing simple aspects of their day by themselves.  

Outdoor Time

4. At camp, we take several field trips and spend one day a week at a park, which allows children to swim, hike, play sports, and just enjoy being outside. Time spent outside also encourages kids to get exercise and to be active for large portions of the day, while extended periods indoors can promote overuse of the Internet, TV, and other electronics. It is estimated that the older children get, the more time is spent in front of a screen. On average, an eight-year-old spends eight hours a day in front of screens and media! This can narrow a child’s experiences as well as their knowledge that time spent outdoors is fundamental to their mental health. We aim to instill this sense of importance in our children from an early age.

Social Skills 

5. Children learn social skills by working in a smaller group setting. VHFLC camps are based on tight, close-knit communities, and with that comes learning to get along with different kinds of personalities, to share, and cooperate. Respecting others and practicing empathetic thinking is also a large focus in camp. In a classroom or larger group setting, it can be a challenge to thoroughly foster interpersonal skills while splitting focus between 30+ children. But with our small ratios, camp staff are provided with the time and space they require to give children the individual attention they need.

Acting their Age
 
6. Kids are able to be kids! The school year has the capability to be overly structured, and this in conjunction with sports, extracurricular activities, homework, and family time can leave a student’s day packed to the brim. During VHFLC Summer Camp, children have regular opportunities to play and enjoy relaxed, self-guided fun. This gives them a much needed break at an age where they need it the most for growth and development. It also gives them the chance to be themselves.

Making Close Friendships

7. Making a diverse array of friends is one of the great things about our camp. VHFLC camp counselors love remembering and talking about friendships that they made at camp when they were kids. The VHFLC camp atmosphere brings children together from different parts of town, who might not have otherwise had the opportunity to meet. From group games to projects and activities, our entire camp program is designed to bring people together!

You can register now for camp online, and our early bird discount will be applicable until May 27th, so you still have time! Our staff are already gearing up for a great program, and we can't wait for what's to come. We hope to see you there!