What Kids Gain From Summer Camp

Last updated: June 2, 2021, at 12:03 p.m. PT

Originally published: February 15, 2017, at 9:24 a.m. PT

Group of kids playing outside at day camp

For many kids, summer is considered to be a magical time. Summer means potential, energy and time for unstructured play. Magnify that magic with Y summer camp programs!

The Y is one of the largest providers of camp programs with over 1,850 day camps across the country. Many Y programs promote learning lifelong skills, developing character and making friends, but camp is a very special environment.

There are so many reasons for kids to attend camp. Here are just a few things your child can gain from camp:

Trying New Things

Exploring your backyard, neighborhood, or city is fun and important, but there are lots of games and activities at camp that you just can’t do at home! Kids get to try things like gaga ball, kayaking, and backpacking.

Meeting New People

Kids get to meet campers from all over. The special environment of camp where kids are stretching and growing creates camaraderie and leads to meaningful friendships.

Challenging Themselves

Not everything at camp will be easy! By enduring setbacks and pushing themselves in a nourishing environment, kids gain resilience and experience the reward of achieving something.

Appreciating Nature

It can be great to take a break from what’s familiar, your family, friends, and neighborhood to get back in touch with yourself and enjoy nature!

Learning New Skills

Not only will kids learn through our themed activities at day camp, kayaking or climbing at overnight camp or back-packing and fishing in BOLD & GOLD, playing and exploring with a group of new people will teach them life skills like independence, cooperation, and tolerance.

Being Active

Getting out and exploring at camp is a great way to have fun while exercising and is a healthier alternative to hanging out at home all summer.

Having Fun

Of course, the most important part about coming to camp is having fun! We offer a variety of outdoor and wilderness, day and overnight camps to choose from. Whatever their interest, whether it be water play, sports, or backpacking, we’ve got a camp for that!

Browse day camps and sign up here. For overnight camps click here. For BOLD & GOLD outdoor excursions, click here.