Tables may be cleared, garbage may be taken out, they may have a new appreciation for bugs and trees, and have many more friends
VANCOUVER, June 26, 2012 /CNW/ - Canadians have a 150-year camping tradition and the Canadian Camping Association (CCA/ACC) is now confirming why children are sent to camp and how that learning and experience carries over to their everyday at-home lives.
The CCA/ACC is asking parents to complete a short online survey to better understand the impact that camp can have on the lives of children. The survey can be found at http://www.ccamping.org/index.php?id=3&nid=80.
This survey will also assist the member camps of the Canadian Camping Association in continuously improving their programs to meet the needs of today's children.
"We know anecdotally that many children return to their families with more confidence, friends, and an appreciation of the environment," said Harry Edwards, President, Canadian Camping Association. "We would like to hear from parents to fully understand the impact and all the various benefits the camping experience can provide for children and their families."
The Canadian Camping Association would also like to hear parent's stories including:
- Did your child clear the table for the first time without being asked?
- Did they seem more self-confident?
- Were they more helpful to siblings? Around the house?
- Was there growth in the area of interpersonal skills?
- Did you observe growth in their ability to make choices?
- Did they make several new friends?
- Did you notice a greater respect for nature?
- Was there a greater respect for others?
- Was there an appreciation for what it takes to make a meal and keep a room clean?
- Was there dinner conversation around their camp experience?
- Were they more polite?
- Were they more willing to share?
Let us know - http://www.ccamping.org/index.php?id=3&nid=80
And for those parents who are still determining what camp may be the best fit for their child, the Canadian Camping Association has some tips:
- Talk to your child about the programs to determine interest areas, day versus sleepover, go with a friend or alone
- Talk to friends, family and neighbours with camping experience.
- Contact your provincial camping association and visit its website. Regional and local camps can be found through www.ccamping.org.
- Attend local camp fairs advertised on that website.
- Make a shortlist of possible camps, visit their websites and visit them.
- Compile your questions and call/meet the camp director.
- Check out the camp Facebook pages -- these should give you a good sense of the camp culture and environment
Harry Edwards, President, Canadian Camping Association is available to speak about selecting the right camp, the benefits of camps, and why the learning from this survey is so important to the Association and the many camp directors across Canada.
The Canadian Camping Association (CCA/ACC), www.ccamping.org, is a non-profit, national federation of Provincial Camping Associations representing over 700 camps across the country. The CCA is dedicated to the growth, development and promotion of organized camping for all populations in Canada.
Media Contact: Paul Tyler, [email protected], 905-235-2731 or Victoria Ollers, [email protected], 416-822-2288
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