Outdoor

Is Summer Day Camp the Antidote for Kids to Come Out of The Pandemic?

kids while away from home

In many parts of the world, children were forced to stay at home during the COVID-19 pandemic to help reduce the spread of the infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. There’s no denying that it was paramount to practice social distancing. Still, the measures in question caused a disruption in kids’ daily habits, many of whom have been deprived of the chance to grow the much-needed skills – adaptability, teamwork, critical thinking, self-control, etc. It may take youngsters a couple of years to fully recover from the coronavirus pandemic, and there would be significant consequences if we allowed these losses to become permanent. 

The Effects the Pandemic Has Had on Kids Are Dire and Vast 

Global leaders say the COVID-19 pandemic is over, while the World Health Organization says the end is in sight. For the moment, at any rate, the SARS-CoV-2 virus is under control and countries have dropped almost all restrictions owing to high vaccination rates, but there’s no room for complacency. The coronavirus pandemic has significantly affected children’s lifestyles, who have experienced moderate or high anxiety levels. Some of the effects of the pandemic crisis are the ones that could affect youngsters for years to come, namely: 

  • Technology addiction. The use of technology in daily life has increased for kids during the COVID-19 outbreak, with screen time offering an escape from social distancing troubles. And let’s not forget about remote learning in education. The excessive use of devices like computers or smartphones makes children tense, so they’re unable to relax or get a good night’s sleep. Physical health effects include eyestrain, poor posture, and reduced physical activity 
  • Social skills deficits. During the pandemic, youngsters spent most of their time at home, so now they’re less socially competent and actually prefer solitude. It seems they’ve fallen behind in their social skills. Kids have missed out on essential interactions at critical stages in their development, which has a surprisingly powerful effect on mental health. Communication, speech, and language (besides emotional well-being) are some pain points. 
  • Over-parenting. During the pandemic crisis, it was easy to fall into the trap of “overparenting”. It still is. Parents worldwide experienced terrible moments, and they were expected to function normally, although nothing was normal. Children with over-involved parents have ineffective coping skills, experience greater stress levels, and lack confidence about who they are and what they do. To overcome these problems, some parents returned to communication techniques. 

The good news is that youngsters are resilient, and many have adapted to the new normal. Parents must understand that the above mentioned complications are real and help their children improve so they can succeed at school and in life. 

As Kids Reintegrate into Normal Living, Summer Day Camp Is the Best Way to Recover from Significant Interruption 

After a hard battle, the world is making a return to normal life. There are no more lockdowns, cultural and sports activities have been resumed, and people can go on vacations once again. Children are reintegrating into normal living, taking small steps, but at this juncture, success isn’t guaranteed; resilience depends on adaptability and decisiveness. There’s suggestive evidence that summer day camp helps youngsters overcome many of life’s challenges, as they can build independence, resilience, and self-esteem in a supervised and supportive environment. Since the dawn of time, children attending summer day camps have discovered new passions, developed lifelong skills, and created friendships. 

New York City has a lot to offer in terms of opportunities for outdoor fun for kids of all ages. Day camps, commonly referred to as summer camps in Brooklyn or Queens, offer activities in the local community for an established period of time. As the name clearly suggests, campers return to their homes at night. Camp facilities make available activities like sports, arts and crafts, and drama, to name but a few; some are educational, while others are plain fun. Finding the best day camp means finding the right fit for your child. One thing that Brooklyn camps and Queens day camps have in common is the exposure to experts in the field that strive to offer fun, safe, educational experiences and group activities to kids while away from home. 

At summer day camp, there are myriads of opportunities to connect with others in a non-academic setting, which matters in terms of social skills development, such as practicing how to make friends and better get along with others. Equally, youngsters are placed in situations where they must use their voices and become self-advocates, meaning they need to solve problems without their parents supplying the solution. Experiencing disappointments will only make them stronger. Day camp is a place where children can take manageable risks, so they face challenges they can actually complete. All they need is a can-do attitude, simply put, a belief that they can do whatever comes their way. 

Closing Thoughts 

Life during the COVID-19 pandemic has been hard for most, but children were most affected by lockdowns and closures, experiencing changes in terms of TV-Internet use, social activity, coursework time, and sleep. Youngsters need to be out of their homes, play with others, and figure things out. Summer day camp offers the chance to step back to a simpler time. After two years of pandemic living, there’s nothing more important than sending your kids to camp, as they desperately need to reestablish connections with their peers. Summer day camp provides the opportunity to learn and grow in a safe place – activities aren’t monitored by parents. 

You’ll be happy to know that options abound when it comes to summer day camp, so you and your children are spoilt for choice. There are many ideal camps throughout New York City that serve the needs and desires of your loved ones, so sign them up for fun so they can unwind. If you choose a summer day camp based on what other kids are doing, your children will miss out on the chance to expand their interests and social circles. Kids are renowned for resisting change, but your offspring should try to step out of their comfort zone.

Thanks for reading about Is Summer Day Camp the Antidote for Kids to Come Out of The Pandemic?

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