School Holiday Camps - Can we learn from them?

There is a long-standing tradition of school holiday camps for kids in the U.S. These camps can range from day camps to camps that last for weeks at a time, but no matter the length of the camp, children can gain many benefits from taking part in them.

[Link href="http://uk.businessinsider.com/unexpected-things-impact-school-success-2017-5/#1-how-gritty-they-are-1" text="Business Insider UK] recently reported on the "summer setback" experienced by kids who spend their off-months at home, and the [Link href="http://www.wallacefoundation.org/knowledge-center/Documents/Making-Summer-Count-How-Summer-Programs-Can-Boost-Childrens-Learning.pdf" text="better retention of learned knowledge] among kids who stay active.

According to the [Link href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/todd-kestin/how-summer-camp-helps-your-child-prepare-for-adulthood_b_5401420.html" text="Huffington Post], School holiday camps can help prepare children for adulthood in several ways; from teaching children the art of teamwork to learning how to make their own decisions. The article also adds that summer holiday camps teach children to be resilient and become more comfortable trying new things. Time away from their parents allows children to be more independent and enjoy making new friends, all of which will give them greater confidence when faced with life’s challenges.

In the UK, there is a growing interest in school holiday camps that offer the same benefits as the U.S holiday camps and Role Models, London’s leading childcare provider, is at the forefront of this cultural change.

The growing trend for school holiday camps could be due to the fact that more and more parents are realising that so-called helicopter parenting leaves children ill equipped to cope with challenges on their own, leaving them unprepared for adulthood. It is now widely accepted that giving children breathing room every now and then allows them to have greater self-belief.

Role Models provides children with the space to grow, and our summer holiday activity camps have been specially designed to nurture essential soft and technical skills, which are often overlooked in schools. Soft skills are a combination of interpersonal skills and character traits, such as the ability to co-operate with others or show empathy, whilst technical skills include things like speaking confidently in public or excelling at interviews. These skills are encouraged through a series of entertaining games and activities. For instance, a typical Role Models’ challenge involves putting a tennis ball in a basket without the use of hands, using only rope.

Whilst one of Role Models’ aims is to help nurture vital life skills, we also aim to provide a memorable and, above all, fun experience for children, which is different from their day-to day life. Kids summer holiday camps offer children the chance to make new friends, explore new ideas and learn how to be independent, whilst having the time of their lives.

If you are interested in finding out more about our Role Models life skills courses or summer holiday camps, then please visit our Life Skills page for further information.