Don’t just kill time this summer. Make it count!
Trying to keep the kids busy during summer break is no easy task. It’s tempting to default to screen time or other activities that aren’t necessarily beneficial for kids’ development and happiness. An art-based summer camp might just be what they need for a memorable summer of growth, new experiences, and a whole lot of fun!
Studies have shown that arts education helps children to build social skills, increase their independence and confidence, gain exposure to new experiences, and unplug from technology. What could this look like for your child at a summer art camp? Let’s dive into the benefits and see!
Growing social skills
Interpersonal skills
Art camp is the perfect opportunity for kids to develop interpersonal skills through a week of socializing. In a creative environment that is less structured than a traditional classroom, children learn about the importance of sharing, teaming up to solve problems, and how to communicate with others. These skills will serve them well in future social, academic, and professional settings.
Bonding experiences
Attending art camp isn’t only about practicing and enjoying art! Spending extended time around other young art lovers provides kids with the time and opportunities to create deeper connections with their peers. They learn how it feels to belong and build friendships with those who share similar interests.
A safe space
For the child who is normally shy or quiet, a week-long art camp allows time for them to warm up to their teachers and classmates. Within the art camp context, they learn that they are safe to express themselves artistically, and sharing their thoughts and ideas with others feels less risky. It becomes easier to open up and blossom when their strengths of creativity and imagination are nurtured.
Building confidence and independence
Growth and self-discovery
A week-long summer art camp fosters healthy independence in young artists. They get a taste of what it’s like to be independent from mom and dad for a little while. They can take creative risks in a safe environment. They develop self-expression through their artworks. Through process-based art, kids can become problem-solvers who are confident in their skills and learn to trust their gut.
Longer-term involvement
When kids get to attend art camp several days in a row, they experience the thrill of anticipating each new day. They also learn how to persevere in longer-term projects and commitments. This is a critical skill for their future success!
An investment in their success
Studies have shown that kids who are involved in arts education typically experience greater overall performance in school. This makes a lot of sense, because practicing art teaches kids important skills such as concentration and focus, fine motor skills, and creative problem-solving. Investing a week in your child’s mental development during the summer helps keep them sharp so they can enter the new school year with confidence.
Gaining exposure to new experiences and activities
The power of new experiences
As adults, we know the power of new experiences to unlock fresh opportunities, self-growth, and new passions or hobbies. For your child, that doorway just might be a summer art camp! It’s a smaller commitment than an 8-week art class, but gives your child an adequate amount of time to know if art is something they love and want to pursue more.
Resilience and curiosity
Engaging in new experiences - such as a week-long art camp - develops kids’ resilience and comfort with taking measured risks. They learn that just because something is unfamiliar doesn’t mean it’s bad, and that trying new things can have amazingly positive results!
Unplugging from technology
Real-life engagement
Art camp nurtures simple, unplugged childhood memories like those of yesteryear. Think playing with friends, exploring nature, getting messy, and building amazing creations. In our current technological era, summer break often means kids are constantly glued to screens. Don’t let tech swallow your child’s summer! At art camp, kids will experience a week of real-life memories away from the tempting glow of devices. Instead, they’ll connect with themselves and other young artists and will have stories to talk about long after the summer is over!
A wonderful summer awaits
Summer break is a wonderful opportunity to enrich your child’s life with activities that will both entertain them and inspire them to grow into their best self. You never know what memories, creative ideas, confidence, passions, new friends, and more could arise from just one week of art camp!
Sources
Warner, A. 08-30-2022. The Benefits of Arts Education for K-12 Students. U.S. News & World Report.
Retrieved from https://www.usnews.com/education/k12/articles/the-benefits-of-arts-education-for-k-12-students
Museo Art Academy. 03-21-2017. 4 Reasons to Send Your Child to an Art-Based Summer Camp.
Retrieved from https://www.museoart.com/blog/4-reasons-to-send-your-child-to-an-art-based-summer-camp