Building on a Maine Camp Summer!

There are myriad reasons to send your child to summer camp in Maine – the wonderful activities, the opportunities to make close friends, and the security and peace of mind that come with choosing a top-notch camp. However, the reason many parents choose a Maine Camp Experience (MCE) camp for their kids is because they value the real growth that occurs at these premier overnight camps. At MCE camps, there is a real emphasis placed on helping campers develop – and this development does not stop once the buses depart. There are very real values and skills that your child built at camp – and below are just a few ways they can continue this growth into the school year! Clean-Up Many first-time camp parents have a hard time believing their child will ultimately become an expert bed-maker, capable of tidying their area, manning a broom, and perfecting their hospital corners. However, summer after summer campers arrive at camp and ultimately develop the skills to contribute to a clean living environment. When they get home – these newfound abilities don’t fly out the window! If your child continues to make their bed and tidy their room, they will have a continued understanding of their contributions to and connections with their home environment – and it will save mom a lot of work in the long run! Practice Inclusion At many camps, there is a real emphasis placed on inclusivity and acceptance – that’s just one reason that makes it so easy for kids to arrive without knowing another soul, and leave with newfound friends for life. When kids return home and start the school year, it’s important to remind them that the importance of inclusivity stretches well beyond the lakes of Maine. There may be new kids at school who have yet to make new friends – this is a great opportunity for any child to practice those camp values and include them on the playground or at their lunch table. By emphasizing the importance of inclusion, your child will continue to develop empathy and social intelligence – and they will display real kindheartedness in the process. Keep Skill-Building MCE camps offer campers the opportunity to try new activities, or continue building on those that they already love – and many camps offer incredibly high-quality instruction in the process. If your child has been working on their jump shot, their breast stroke, or their watercolors throughout the summer, it is great to find avenues where they can continue building on these skills. By signing up for a rec-league or a class, your child will have an opportunity to demonstrate what they’ve learned, and continue building on those foundational skills, which will only result in increased confidence and drive. Limit Screen Time One of the real gifts offered at MCE camps is about what campers don’t have: access to technology! Encourage your child and their friends to build on the real social interaction they shared all summer, and avoid falling into the trap of spending hours and hours in front of their screens. Of course, it’s nice to watch TV or movies, or play videogames in moderation. But try to avoid letting that become the go-to recreational activity –  the late summer weather offers ample opportunities to play outside, and board games are always a great tech-free option on a rainy day. By limiting screen time, your camper will continue practicing real, human interaction, which will help their emotional intelligence grow and leave them better situated to handle whatever life throws their way! — Maine Camp Experience Resources & Tools

You can share your own Maine camps memories & expressions of gratitude on our Memories of Camp section of our  website.

Looking for the perfect Maine camp for your child?  Try out our helpful tool where you can select a camp by choosing: type of camp (girls, boys or coed) and session length (1-8 weeks).  It helps to narrow down a few camps to a manageable list that includes rates.  Then you can research these camps in more depth.

Next, be sure to  to discuss these camps as well as for free, year-round advice and assistance on choosing a great Maine summer camp for your child.