Are you one of the many parents looking for the best activities to keep your children occupied and productive over the summer? One of the top options is a summer camp.

Sending your child to a summer camp can help their growth and development.

Summer camp is more than playing and having fun. It features various activities which provide new learning opportunities for children. It teaches and develops valuable skills that a child can carry with them for the rest of their lives. If you didn’t have the chance to go to a summer program as a child, you may not realize the educational, inspirational, and fun kind of experience it is.

Thinking about sending your child to a summer camp? Here are some good reasons why you should.

Summer camp helps kids develop a unique interest

Several camps cover areas and subjects which are not taught in school. Schools don’t usually offer lessons regarding archery or video games! But there are some summer programs that specialize in these areas. So if your child is interested to learn something that’s outside of the normal school subjects, it would be a good decision to send them to a summer camp. A camp is also an excellent place for them to discover an interest they may not have realized before.

It helps develop a child’s social skills

A summer camp provides kids a perfect opportunity to build meaningful friendships. It teaches campers how to get along with other campers. It may not be easy at first. Your child may feel hesitant and a little scared. But the environment and activities provide helpful opportunities for children to practice their independence. This helps improve their confidence and build social skills.

In a summer camp, a child learns and develops conflict-resolution and risk-taking skills. They learn how to make decisions on their own without their parents’ help.

It develops self-confidence

In a summer camp, kids are encouraged to leave their comfort zones and participate in all activities possible. A camp teaches a child that it is okay to fail and to make mistakes. It helps them identify their limitations as well as discover the things they can still improve on. It allows children to face challenges and take risks in a supervised, safe and supportive environment.

The experiences your child can get from a summer camp equip them with lifelong skills they can use to be successful in their future endeavors.

It provides plenty of time for unstructured play

Unlike a preschool or a daycare center, a camp is where your child can enjoy unstructured play and activities. It is where they can enjoy being free from the daily stress and routine of school life. They have plenty of time for just playing, having fun and carefree living while learning creativity and social engagement.

It keeps them physically active

Today, most children spend a majority of time on their screens – televisions, tablets, laptops and mobile phones. And too much screen time is not healthy.

Summer camp is an excellent way to keep your child physically active, in a secure place, interacting with their peers. Camps encourage them to try healthier and more enjoyable activities, such as swimming, hiking and more.

Kids enjoy attending summer camps.

It allows a deep dive into new skills

Even if your child’s area of interest is being taught in their preschool or daycare center, sending them to a summer camp can help them in further learning of a new skill. A summer program can give your child the opportunity and the time to be more immersed in a specific learning. If your child wants to hone their skills in arts, gymnastics or football, look for the summer programs which focus on these areas. Check out the camp descriptions so your child can deep dive into the things they love!

Summer camps benefit your child in more ways than one. You’ll find the benefits go far beyond just having fun and games. Summer camps do a good job of teaching valuable lessons children won’t get anywhere else.

Ask just about anyone and they can usually –and vividly — remember when they first learned to ride a bike!

It’s just something you never forget…

Learning to ride is fun!

No matter how long it’s been since you hopped on a bike, National Bike Month provides the perfect reason to get back out there and ride again!

Here’s how to celebrate that amazing invention, the bicycle, with your kids… and start a new healthy habit as a family!

Getting Started

Begin by setting out the rules for safe biking. Even if your kids aren’t old enough to really remember everything you’re telling them, repeat the rules for safe biking to them every time you go out. When they see you following the same rules you’re telling them to follow, it will encourage them to do the same.

Teach them the following tips for safe biking:

• Keep your tires well inflated – match the pressure that’s listed on the tire itself.
• Inspect your brakes before setting out to make sure they’re aligned and working properly
• Keep bolts, bearings, and chains greased
• Wear a helmet at all times, making sure it fits you well and isn’t too loose
• If you plan to ride at night, wear bright, reflective colors and use a light
• For trail riding, stay on the right side, pass to the left and use your voice or a horn to alert people and other riders that you’re planning to pass
• Use hand signals and obey traffic signals, always stopping at stop lights and stop signs
• Make eye contact with drivers to be sure they see you
• Ride with the traffic, not against it

Note: Before venturing out, add more reflectors to your bikes – and any clothes you’re wearing. And consider adding flashing reflectors to improve visibility

Set Your Course

To make National Bike Month a fun time for you and your kids, have a plan. Your activities will be determined, in large part, by the biking skills your kids have.

If, for example, you have young kids with little to no experience riding a bike, you’ll obviously be focused on teaching them how to ride a bike. Give them ample time to practice their new skill.

Older or more confident riders who may be up for a challenge might enjoy:

• setting up jumps in the backyard
• going “off-road” on nearby bike trails
• holding a “bike rodeo” with the neighborhood kids where they can take part in:
  • obstacle courses
  • jumps
  • a “balance beam” made from lines drawn on the ground that riders need to stay within
  • “paper boy” – riders toss rolled up newspapers into targets such as large trash cans, baskets, tubs, etc.
  • slow races – points deducted for each time their foot hits the ground before the finish line (builds up their balance and coordination)

Riding a bike is a childhood rite of passage that you don’t want your kids to miss… so get on out there and ride with them!