How Bucks Summer Camps Keep Kids Engaged and Learning

Text books and pop quizzes might not be on the curriculum, that doesn't mean our kids have to stop learning!

Ah, summer. It’s a time to unwind from the school year and soak up the sun. And while text books and pop quizzes might not be on the curriculum, that doesn’t mean our kids have to stop learning. Enter, summer camp! Summer camps are an excellent way to continue your child’s real world education. From building friends to developing lifelong skills, camp gives kids the tools they need to become happy and productive members of their community. And the best part? Your kid will be having so much fun, they won’t even realize they’re learning!

Below, we’ve listed just a few of the ways summer camps can keep your children engaged and learning this summer, as well as recommendations from our local Bucks County Parents. Looking for opportunities specifically for your teen to grow over the summer? Check out Teen Summer Opportunities In and Around Bucks County.

Helps Them Learn A New Skill or Interest

Summer camps offer a wide range of activities that children can explore. Unlike in school, where your child will focus on several subjects throughout the day, specialty camps allow kids the opportunity to go more in-depth in an activity they’re passionate about in a supportive environment. Helping children discover and explore a passion can lead to a life-long career or hobby. There are a TON of specialty camps but here are just a few worth checking out in Bucks:

*Photo Courtesy of Tyler Park Center for the Arts*

Instills Confidence and Leadership Skills

At camp, children gain confidence as they face new situations that they may not have experience with, such as speaking up in a group setting and voicing their own concerns. Guided by helpful and encouraging camp professionals, kids learn to trust their inner voice and gain the communication skills necessary to advocate for themselves.

All summer camps aim to instill confidence in their campers, but if you’re looking for a unique opportunity for the young women in your life to develop leadership skills, check out Girls Empowered in Doylestown. This non-profit empowers girls Grades 4th through 9th by providing them with the knowledge, skills, confidence, and resources to stand up for oneself, make positive choices, and be in control of their future.

To become happy, successful adults, children need certain social skills to develop positive relationships with others. Many summer camp programs specifically focus on emphasize forming new friendships and rekindling old ones and on practicing the social skills that most schools — because of lack of time and resources — are not able to teach.

“My daughter first attended Elbow Lane as a shy five year old. I credit the friendly and supportive staff and awesome campers for bringing my shy girl out of her shell and challenging her to try new things and make new friends.”
Cherr Ann

Teaches Teamwork

An understanding of teamwork helps a child realize working with others is sometimes the most efficient way to get things done. They will value teamwork as a solution, rather than think they need to handle tasks on their own. As a result, children will grow up with an eagerness to be active members of their community.

At Briarwood Day Camp in Furlong, children have the opportunity to participate in over 50 activities, many in which working as a team is essential (rock wall, soccer, and gaga just to name a few!).

Allows Mentorship Opportunities

Which would you rather have your teen spend their summer doing: bagging groceries at the local supermarket, playing video games on your couch, or learning how to become a leader while also getting to enjoy the camp experience? Most camps offer Counselor in Training (CIT) Programs to older campers ready to take on more responsibility. In addition to learning First Aid and CPR, your teen will get the opportunity to work one-on-one with younger campers, who will most likely look up to your kids like they’re the world!

At Camp America Day Camp, your teen (aged 13-15) can enroll in their Division 4 CIT Program, where they’ll have the opportunity to take on new leadership roles within the 42-acre camp.

Camp America has been my home away from home for the last 13 years, and I can easily say that it was the best decision my parents could have ever made for me. From the first day you join Camp America, the faculty treat you like family.”
Alex Trias

Puts Them In Touch With Nature (And Out of Touch With Screens)

Camp helps children connect to the joy of life beyond the screen. When a child is outdoors, they get to see, touch, hear, smell and sometimes even taste nature, aiding in their sensory development. In addition to their special outdoor play areas, Breezy Point Day Camp in Langhorne offers campers the opportunity to learn about animals and how to care for them at their petting zoo.

I can’t say enough about Breezy Point Day Camp and its dedicated, amazing staff. They clearly love working with children, always caring and attentive to their needs. My children especially enjoy all the special outdoor play areas and look forward to the special weekly events. The petting zoo is always a highlight, giving the campers an opportunity to pet and learn about the animals and their care. It is truly a wonderful place offering the best of nature and nurture!
Christina Kreckmann

*Photo Courtesy of Breezy Point Day Camp*

Prepares Them for the Next Chapter

When it comes to our children, we are always looking ahead towards what’s next in their future. Institutions for higher education understand this and several of them developed their own camp programs to give kids a glimpse of what life on campus looks like. Check out Delaware Valley University’s Kids U! and Inspire U! and Teens on Campus at Bucks County Community College! Together with new friends, experienced faculty and industry pros, kids explore will explore new things and develop innovative skills while laughing, playing and interacting with a college campus.