Pop Quiz: Camp Idonwannago
For a lot of K-12 schools here in my little corner of the world summer vacation is about to start or has already started. This means the kiddies will be home now free to run rampart through the neighborhoods and malls or free to sit playing video games all day. Okay, maybe that is a bit harsh but I know I did a lot of bike riding and video game playing during summer when I was young. However, not all kids experience the same type of summer vacation.
Some kids are sent to camp for a portion of the summer. I never got sent to camp and I am happy I did not. I hate the outdoors, I hate bugs, and I hate sharing living quarters with people I do not know. This would not have been a happy summer for me. Although, I am sure there are some kids out there that look forward to camp. A chance to get away from their parents and siblings. Also, a chance to make some memories.
Sometimes camp is not wilderness camp with crafts and swimming in lakes it can be educational too. There is math camp, science camp, engineering camp, and even space camp. Although, I am not really sure what you do in space camp nowadays. Anyway, there are a number of programs all over that will stimulate brains while away from the classroom.
Kids do not necessarily have to go away from home for extended periods of time. There are other programs that may be closer to home that provide activities during the day. Parks and recreation may provide outdoor sports activities and local libraries always have some type of reading events.
It seems that all of these programs are designed to keep kids busy during the long summer months. However, is it necessary? Is it okay to just let kids play during the summer instead of constantly having to be entertained one way or another? What should kids do in the summer? What did you do during your summer break when you were a kid?
The Pop Quiz is a question posed to you, the Scholars of Doubt. Look for it on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays in the afternoon (ET).
Featured Image: YMCA Camp Dining Hall, OSU Special Collections & Archives
I went to Latin camp as a kid (yes I am just that cool) and it was fabulous! Totally bug – free.
Latin camp?
Camp where you learn Latin
I’m from Germany, where summer holidays are 6 and a half weeks. Are they much longer in the US?
We usually went on holiday for two or three weeks and for the rest, I just played with friends and read and so on. Not many organized activities.
I think K-12 holidays are at the least 8 weeks long. Your holiday sounds like fun and relaxing.
I grew up in a place more rural than you find these camps, and thankfully enjoy bugs! We played all day and came home only when mom was hollering for us. We didn’t need any scheduled activities or props or what have you, but if I’d grown up in a city, I probably would have enjoyed camp. It seems to me that with most families needed two incomes, the “what do we do with the kids?” problem leads to more camp or soccer or what have you, simply to have a schedule for everyone, and to make sure you know where they are and you can do what you have to without them.