The Benefits of Summer Camps for Pre-Teens

For parents of adolescents and pre-teens, the question of what to do with your kid over the summer can be a stressful one. Kids at that age are too old for daycare, but too young for a job. And while some older kids are trustworthy and mature enough to be left at home alone, many parents worry that leaving them to their own devices will keep them on their devices all day, every day—not a great way to spend a summer. 

Even as they mature, kids can still benefit from structured, positive activities, time to socialize, and supervision by trusted adults. If you're looking for something that checks all those boxes, summer camps for older kids offer all that and more. Here, we've outlined a few of the benefits of summer camp for teens and adolescents. 

They Can Explore New Interests

Camp is a great opportunity to try new things. From sports to creative crafts to music and everything in between, kids can experiment with a variety of different age-appropriate activities. Trying new things gives kids a chance to explore their interests, develop skill sets, and open their minds. This is particularly valuable to older kids who may be starting to think about their long-term career paths and futures. Moreover, it allows them to explore hobbies that they might not otherwise be exposed to. 

They'll Keep Their Minds Engaged

Good camps develop intentional programming that helps kids continue learning—even when they're not in school. At Siegel JCC, for example, our regular camp schedule often includes a nature or STEM-oriented activity, as well as weekly field trips. 

This does more than just keep kids entertained. Over the summer, it's not uncommon for kids to experience what is referred to as summer learning loss (also known as the "summer slide"), where kids lose some of the knowledge they gained over the school year. According to experts, informal learning and culturally enriching experiences that stimulate discussion and critical thinking are great ways to minimize or even eliminate that loss of knowledge. This, in turn, sets kids up for success when the school year resumes. 

Camps can even offer older kids an opportunity to learn new knowledge and skills. For example, Camp JCC's Leadership in Training (LIT) program is designed to help rising 9th and 10th graders grow their leadership capabilities and engage with their community through service projects.

They Get Some Independence

It's normal for older kids, particularly those approaching or in their teenage years, to crave a little more space and privacy. As a parent, however, it can often be difficult to give them a healthy amount of independence while also keeping their safety and best interests in mind. 

For kids and parents in that situation, one of the benefits of summer camp is that it provides a nice middle ground. At camp, kids are in an environment that requires self-direction and allows them a certain amount of discretion in how they spend their time. However, parents can rest assured that their children are always in easy reach of counselors.

They'll Make New Friends

One of the most valuable aspects of summer camp is that it gives campers a chance to make connections with people from different schools or backgrounds. Especially for older kids who may be transitioning from elementary to middle school, or from middle to high school, expanding their social circles is extremely important. 

They'll Spend Less Time on Screens

Finding an appealing alternative to smartphones and social media is a major challenge for parents of adolescents and teens. Too much screen time has been proven by researchers to come with a host of consequences for kids' mental and physical health, including loneliness, disruptions to sleep patterns, obesity, eating disorders, and attention problems. Camp gives kids a chance to unplug, disconnect, and focus on the now. 

They Get a Break From Stress

The modern world is a stressful place for kids as well as adults. In an increasingly materialistic and achievement-driven society, kids are under a lot of pressure to get good grades, do well in sports and extracurriculars, look good, and fit in socially. 

Those pressures will only continue to mount as kids get older and the prospects of college admissions and/or employment begin to loom. For that reason, it's important to carve out some time for kids to relax and enjoy themselves without feeling the need to be productive or achieve anything.

Siegel JCC's summer camp offerings provide a vibrant, welcoming experience for children of all ages and backgrounds. At Camp JCC, kids can participate in engaging programming and social activities while also connecting with their Jewish heritage. Moreover, Camp JCC's flexible format allows families to register by the week, making it easy for parents to fit camp in with summer vacations and more. 

The J is a vibrant, inclusive community center with offerings for members of all ages, backgrounds, and faiths. Members enjoy access to our well-equipped fitness center, indoor and outdoor pools, and group exercise classes, while children and teens benefit from a variety of programs from preschool and early childhood care to after-school care and summer camp. Whatever you're looking for, we've got something for you. Contact us today to discuss joining with a membership, or consider donating to support our programs!