Camp is beneficial for health
By Anna Bilton, Summer Camp Director
Camp is beneficial for health. This isn’t new information, yet it is easily forgotten as day to day life keeps us busy, and a little over-stimulated! I’m bombarded online with ads for wholesome food, health boosting supplements and beauty products. Then there are the plugs for exercise plans and mental health support services. Are you seeing the same thing on your feeds and in your inbox? I have no doubt that some of these products are fantastic and that there may be some folks reaping the benefits on their health. I also know that there is a giant marketing machine capitalizing on our societal interest in health and wellbeing. We all want to be healthy and feel good, but which products are truly beneficial? Do I need all or any of them at all? And are there other, tried and tested ways to focus on health? I truly think there are.
It’s so very easy to get swept up in these clever campaigns and click buy or sign up for yet another subscription you’ll never use (I’m speaking for myself here)! Health and wellness is important and something we want for ourselves and our families. Once I stop scrolling and take a minute, I remind myself that camp is a tried and tested health tool. Camp is just what we need for body, mind and soul, this is especially true for kids. Camp is good for health and camp is healthy.
Screen-free
The evidence is in and the jury is out. We know that screen-time, including social media, is having a fundamental impact on children and young people. It’s changing the way we are wired, and not for the better. The increase in anxiety alone connected to our use of handheld tech is mindblowing, and that’s before we get to depression, loneliness and self-esteem issues. We know that tech and screens aren’t going anywhere and that not all screen-time is bad. However we do need to change our approach towards their use if we want to improve our children’s wellbeing.
Summer Camp gives kids time to detox from their phone, make real in-person connections and develop a balanced relationship with who they are, without an online persona. It’s a huge win for their health and wellbeing. Returning campers choose to return to camp in order to take a break from their cell phones, kids are looking for us to support them to manage screen addiction and break the cycle. I know this because they tell us, year after year! Camp is the perfect place to do it!
On the move
The average kid spends less time engaged in physical activity than their parents did at the same age. Between busy school schedules, the draw of screens and the reality that kids have less independence to roam than they used to (often for good reasons, traffic, accessibility, safe spaces to go etc.) therefore they are not moving as much as they should.
Physical movement is paramount for both physical and mental health so what could be better than an active day in the outdoors? At camp, we are always on the move in the activities themselves, during silly camp moments and even walking from place to place around camp. Every day is an active day and it’s great for our bodies and minds. Camp is exceptional for health.
Nature for mental health
Simply seeing greenery (and bodies of water) is good for us! Spending multiple days in a row in nature, like our campers and staff do, is even better. Time in nature is linked to lowered stress levels, better mood and even improved social skills. At Camp Mason most of our daylight hours, and often time after the sun goes down too, are spent outside surrounded by trees and creeks with birds singing and creatures scurrying by. It’s a powerful experience and one that every kid deserves. Yet again, it’s clear that camp is excellent for health.
Meaningful connections
Campers and staff develop meaningful connections at camp. Often they stay in touch after camp ends for decades after and sometimes these friendships are of a time and place. Either way, they carry meaning. Opportunities to develop in-person friendships are beneficial for kids’ self-confidence as well as their social skills. This cannot be replicated online in quite the same way. The camp community and atmosphere promotes healthy relationships and teaches kids and young staff how to communicate, listen and show empathy to those around them. It doesn’t get healthier than that!
Camp is healthy
To wrap things up, the main message here is that a camp experience is more often than not, a healthy choice for kids (and staff). This is easily extended to our Family Camps, school visits and Women’s Wellness Weekends. Time spent in nature and being active with a positive minded community is healthy. Kids and staff have fun at camp which contributes to feeling good and happy, this is healthy. Camp is good for health. So, before you click “buy now” on the latest workout routine or wellbeing app, have a think about what really works to support a lifelong healthy lifestyle. Hint, the answer (or at least one tried and tested, bonafide answer) is camp!
I know first hand, that camp is the antidote to an ever busy and pressured world. I see and hear it from campers, staff, alumni and families all year round, and I for one can’t wait to be in my happy (and healthy) place this summer!
Many families have already registered for Summer Camp (yay, welcome) and I look forward to seeing you soon! We still have open spots in some sessions for this summer – head here to save your camper/s spots.
