School of Thought
The Benefits of Camps
Camps are an amazing experience for staff and students alike. Relationships are developed, friendships forged and we learn things about ourselves that we wouldn’t in the comfortable confines of our homes.
If you have been to any of our primary / whole school assemblies then you would have heard the year 7’s reflecting on their time at LNPS and camps rate very highly on the list of memorable and enjoyable experiences.
We as parents want our children to grow up to be happy and successful adults. To achieve this we need to provide them with opportunities to develop independence, resilience, confidence and skills to communicate and socialise. School camps are one of the best ways for children to be exposed to and develop these vital skills. So if you are ever questioning sending your children on school camp, this is a must read.
School camps develop independence. It is often the first time a child is away from the family home overnight and a fantastic opportunity for children to learn how to look after themselves and do things on their own. On camps we see our students rise to this challenge and feel so proud of themselves for doing so.
It’s an opportunity to build resilience. They learn to cope with challenges and changes in their life. Being away from home is a big change and they develop strategies and confidence to cope with this. The kids are immersed in challenges at camp and the growth we see in them is amazing. Children are truly amazing with their ability to adapt, manage and thrive and this is what builds their personal character.
Developing self confidence, the belief in oneself and their own abilities, is developed through experiences in new activities, trying new skills, being persistent and not giving up because they have a supportive environment around them.
As teachers we get to see a side of students that we don’t normally get to see in a school setting. We are able to strengthen relationships with them which assists us in understanding them and their learning.
Students develop social and team work skills, which helps to strengthen established friendships and create new friendships by working with students they don’t normally work with at school. Developing empathy, understanding and acceptance of others is another benefit of camps.
Being able to make decisions on their own and understand the consequences of those decisions is another important skill to develop. Making small decisions about what to eat, when to go to sleep, what to pack in their backpack ready for the day ahead, are all a part of becoming more independent and responsible for themselves.
Camps are held in natural environments, increasing a child's environmental awareness. They are exposed to real nature-based experiences. Hands-on activities in the outdoors stimulate all senses and help learning. Students become more aware of the environment, develop outdoor skills and an appreciation for nature.
Watch the video of the 2019 Torrens Camp to Arbury Park Outdoor School and see all these attributes being developed through the hands-on, fun and fabulous experiences that camps have to offer.
https://youtu.be/BtCaGRdE4E8
Natalie Brook
Assistant Principal - Quality Teaching & Learning