March 17, 2023
Parents have a lot of options to choose from when it comes to summer camp. However, it can be difficult to determine the correct age to send your child to camp.
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It’s really more about their personality and maturity. I recommend trying out day camps for children younger than 9, and overnight camps for kids aged 9 and older. While there is little data to suggest that camps provide long-lasting developmental advantages for kids, there are many benefits of having a great summer camp experience. These include:
Camps try to offer a rich experience with plenty of activities. Novel activities often provide new learning opportunities.
As campers try new things, they may pick up a hobby or interest they will want to continue exploring long after they have returned home.
Many kids form friendships they’re eager to revisit year after year at camp. Some campers stay in touch after the camp has finished. Regardless, camp allows kids to practice social skills outside of their normal routine.
Summer camp isn’t always a good experience for all children. Understanding your child’s personality and maturity will help set them up for the best time possible. For most kids, it’s best to start off at a short-day camp and gradually move them toward an overnight camp. Being suddenly sent to an overnight camp can be distressing for a lot of young children.
For more information about how to approach new situations like camp, explore our parenting tips for how to support your kids and handle difficult parenting decisions.
Vice President, Parenting and Youth
Dr. Huerta oversees Focus’ initiatives that equip mothers and fathers with biblical and research based principles and guidance for raising healthy, resilient children rooted in a thriving faith in Christ.
Dr. Huerta is a bilingual psychologist, licensed clinical social worker, author of 7 Traits of Effective Parenting, and co-author of Focus on the Family’s Age and Stage resource, and various other resources. He is also the co-host and expert on the Focus on Parenting and the Practice Makes Parent podcasts.
For many years, he has provided families with practical, biblically-based, and research-based parenting advice on key parenting topics. He has been interviewed by various media outlets including Fox News, Fatherly, Christianity Today, WORLD Magazine, The Christian Post and CBN, and regularly speaks on Christian radio stations and podcasts across the United States. He’s also written for various publications and is a regular speaker at retreats, conventions, family camps, online events worldwide, and on various social media channels.
Dr. Huerta has maintained a private practice serving families in Colorado Springs since 2003 and has also served families as an employee of Focus on the Family since 2004.
He and his wife, Heather, love the outdoors, have been married since 1997, and love spending time with their two adult children.
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