The things I remember most about childhood summers, besides the feeling that summer stretched on forever, were the new experiences and adventures I had. Summer, for me, was two and a half months of long, sun-drenched days that were filled with unstructured play, outdoor exploration and making new friends at camp. The lack of school and its daily routine provides kids with space for freedom and relaxation, and it can be tempting to spend extra time in front of a screen, watching TV or playing video games. But what if kids used some of their free time to explore new interests? Would they discover their passion, become a future leader or make friends for a lifetime?
A recent five-year study from the American Camp Association (ACA) outlined the lasting benefits of camp experiences including developing valuable skills, social awareness, teamwork, improvements in engagement, belonging and experiential learning. While many people view camps as just a summer activity, the data shows they are critical for youth development and well-being. According to the ACA, over 26 million children and staff participate in a camp experience annually. Seventy-six percent of campers reported learning something new. High-quality summer camp experiences often result in better academic experiences the following year. The teamwork experience at camp is transferable to academic and workplace settings. Experiential learning in summer camps has been shown to enhance decision-making, team building and taking initiative. ACA also shares that 69% percent of children and 58% of parents report camp helped them get to know kids who are different from them and that 75% of children and 69% of parents agree that “camp helped make new friends.” The return on investment is clear; camps prove to be a powerful investment in a child’s future.
Lincoln Land Community College offers engaging, hands-on learning opportunities in our robust summer College for Kids camps. This summer, our lineup includes over 60 different camps! Camps are available to students entering grades 1-10. We offer a flexible schedule with both morning and afternoon camp options that meet Monday-Thursday. Our small class sizes, ranging from 15 to 18 students, enable our instructors to provide personalized attention and guidance. With support from LLCC faculty, K-12 teachers, subject matter experts and local organizations, we are able to offer a wide variety of camp experiences designed to engage students in learning new skills and discovering new interests.
Among the mix of camp experiences are theater camps, gardening, learning sign language, playing string instruments in orchestra camp, fossil exploration, learning about culture and art, practicing yoga, magician’s camp, webpage creation and coding, photography, bee keeping, government and civic engagement, journalism, chemistry labs, podcasting, culinary and career exploration in the trades.
Our career exploration camps are designed for students entering grades 7-10. Students will develop practical skills in the trades through hands-on projects in construction, welding, electrical work and sheet metal fabrication. LLCC partners with O’Shea Builders to offer Girls in Construction Camp. This unique opportunity allows girls interested in construction careers to learn from and work alongside female professionals at O’Shea Builders, gaining hands-on experience in building construction and large-scale project management. The camp includes field trips to working job sites and a group project here in the community.
Summer is a time for adventure, discovery and growth, and there is no better way for kids to make the most of it than by immersing themselves in new experiences. Whether through hands-on learning, creative expression or career exploration, summer camps provide invaluable opportunities for personal and social development.
At LLCC, our College for Kids camps offer a diverse range of engaging programs that inspire curiosity, build confidence and create lasting memories. This summer, give your child the chance to explore their interests, develop new skills and make friendships that could last a lifetime. The experiences they have today could shape their future in ways you never imagined. For more information regarding College for Kids, visit www.llcc.edu/summer-cfk.