Spring is only a month away (even though in Wisconsin it keeps snowing every other day) and summer will be here before we know it.  So it is time to start thinking about your kid’s summer camp.

If you haven’t taken advantage of providing a summer camp experience for them, here are some reasons why you may want to think about your kid’s summer camp.

Camp was one my favorite memories from when I was a kid.  I loved staying in a tent or cabin, slurping slushies, singing fun songs around the campfire and learning all kinds of new things by experiencing them first hand.  I loved it so much I became a 4-H camp counselor at age 16, volunteered many times at my sons’ Boy Scout camps and now I am so fortunate to direct and teach youth entrepreneur camps.

Camps are a great way for kids to experience and learn things they may not have the opportunity to in school.  What is interesting to me is that the kids who may not do well in school (sitting at a desk all day) flourish in a camp environment.  Year after year, I see kids come in on Monday morning not showing much self-confidence and by Friday when they are presenting an idea they are passionate about they are glowing with confidence. 

The following is from the American Camp Association Website which pretty much sums up the benefits of camp:

At camp, when children make new friends, explore the world around them, and learn that “I can” is much more powerful than “I can’t”, magic happens. In an environment created just for them, children learn real life skills, develop self-esteem, and gain a sense of independence and community. Whether children are playing, exploring nature, conquering new heights, or becoming part of a camp family, they are creating memories that will last a lifetime – See more at: http://www.acacamps.org/campers-families/because-camp#sthash.44KAY3o4.dpuf

Since some camps fill early, now is the time to start thinking about your kid’s summer camp experience.

There are camps of every subject possible so there is bound to be something that they are interested in.  Many camps fill months before they start so now is the time to start thinking about your kid’s summer camp experience. With some searching you will most likely find something that fits your child’s interest and your budget.

That’s what I really like about directing and teaching at Youth Entrepreneur Camps; the business each camper chooses to create takes into account their own strengths, interests and talents so it fits everyone!

I hope that you start thinking about your kid’s summer camp experience so that they too can make memories, learn a ton and have fun at summer camp! !

Julie Ann Wood is the author of More Than a Lemonade Stand and You’re Never too Young to Start a Business.  She has also developed a complete youth entrepreneur curriculum which includes a business simulation called the Biz Ops Game.  The curriculum is not being used in 16 states and 7 countries.  Click Here to learn more about the Youth Entrepreneur curriculum.