Healthy SoFlo Issue 51 - Inca Goes Above and Beyond to Provide Safe & Healthy Foods

HEALTHY KIDS · AUGUST 2017
Think back to when you were a
child. How many memories can
you conjure up? Do you remember
the long days of playing in your
neighborhood carefree? Most of
us grew up in a sort of 'free range' fashion.
We rode our bikes all over town until the sun
went down and sometimes after. We had
freedoms and luxuries that children today
might envy.
Our schedules grew as we aged. Those
important milestones of childhood are
something we've carried with us throughout
our lives and well into adulthood. It's only
natural that we'd want our children and
grandchildren to experience the joys of
childhood the same way we did, but let's face
it. Times have changed. What worked for us
in the past, simply isn't a viable option for our
children today. That's why parents are turning
to summer camps for their children.
The benefits of a summer camp experience
are many. Year after year, children thrive as a
result of their experiences. To put it simply,
they'll learn to be themselves, only stronger,
more independent, confident, and ready for
whatever life may throw their way. In essence,
they learn critical values and lessons to help
them grow into healthy and confident adults.
Life skills are a
staple of summer
camp. Think of it this
way, what better way
to learn than to learn
by doing. They won't have
mom and dad to lean on.
They will, however, have trusted
camp counselors and hordes of new
friends to guide them along the way.
SOME
OF THE MANY
BENEFITS OF
SLEEPAWAY AND DAY
CAMPS INCLUDE:
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5
WAYS SUMMER
CAMP HELPS
YOUR CHILD
PREPARE FOR
ADULTHOOD
Building self-esteem by trying
new experiences
Learning to manage their time
Learning teamwork
Becoming resilient
Growing stronger from the
inside out
TEAMWORK
While not all children lack teamwork
skills, many might not have been exposed
to enough opportunity to acquire those
much-needed skills. Summer Camp
provides the perfect opportunity to
acquire them and more. Who hasn't
encountered a situation in their adult life
that didn't require some form of teambuilding
or teamwork? Learning it as a
youngster can make the transition from
solo play or work easier.
SELF-ESTEEM
BUILDING
Camp encourages your child, no
matter their skill level, to get out,
get up, and try something they've
never done before. From kayaking
to swimming, climbing hills, or hiking
through the woods, children get to be
a part of something challenging and
learn just how strong and capable they
are in the process. There's nothing
more beneficial to them then learning
to trust themselves and knowing that
they don't have to be perfect, they
just have to willing to take a chance.
RESILIENCY
Resiliency is a skill we all need, no
matter our age. If we never learn
how to bounce back from mistakes
or mishaps, we'll never learn the
true essence of who we are and
what we are capable of in life.
Camps offer ample opportunity to
discover ourselves and tests our
mental, physical, and emotional
strength.
The case of Summer Camp has
been made. With it, the road to
adulthood doesn't have to be a
daunting one.
By Cassandra Bullocks
12 HEALTHY MAGAZINE