Some kids (and parents too!) might think of summer break as a chance to get away from school for a couple of months. But many of them might find that spending summer on school campus is the best option—whether it’s the school where their children are enrolled or a different school that offers the kind of programming their family needs.
Building belonging
School-affiliated summer camps are often open to the entire community and offer plenty of fun while still keeping education and development at the forefront.
“Summer is an extension of our school year for some — and an invitation to see who we are for others,” says Bob Laffey, assistant athletic director and the director of summer programs at Indian Creek School. “Though fun is certainly an expectation at all summer camps, ours included, we try really hard to let the fun compliment authenticity, connection and curiosity, rather than the other way around. We want kids to feel connected and like they belong, which, hopefully, allows them to try new things and meet new people.”
What resources does a school offer?
The major benefit of a school-affiliated camp versus another community organization is schools often have all the right resources in place: Teachers and other educators run much of the programming in spaces conducive to hands-on activities, physical movement, and entertainment.
Jane Flanagan is the director of summer programs at the Key School, aka Summer at KEY, and she’s seen the way camps bring in families from beyond their student body to benefit from what both their faculty and facility have to offer.
“We often hear from families who don’t attend Key School that Summer at KEY gives their children a meaningful way to get to know our community and to see what we have to offer,” she explains. “Attending a summer camp based at a school provides campers with access to an exceptional range of indoor and outdoor spaces designed specifically for children. From art studios and science labs to gymnasiums, an amphitheater, gardens and multiple playgrounds, campers spend their days learning, moving, creating and playing in environments that support curiosity, exploration and fun.”
Familiarity, trust and structure
Consider some of these other benefits of attending a school-affiliated summer camp:
- If your child already goes to that school, it’s a familiar environment (as are many of the people). If your child doesn’t go to that school yet but is preparing to enroll, it’s a great introduction.
- You can count on the same professional standards you would get from a school, with educators who understand how to best mentor and teach students in a space that’s safe and well-equipped for the activities they’re doing.
- Schedules are thoughtfully planned with academic, creative, athletic or social development in mind rather than just filler activities, and there is often an emphasis on character, community and inclusion.
