Each summer, kids of all ages choose to attend many different types of summer camps and programs. As your child gets older, they might feel like they have outgrown their childhood summer camp. If this is the case, maybe it is time to think about a new summer program for middle schoolers this year!
Middle School can be a difficult time. Kids are growing up and preparing for higher education, and summer programs can be an extremely enriching experience for them as they navigate through finding their identities and sparking life-long passions. Summer camp can be a welcomed break from these challenging times, or just the right addition to their already great educational experience and interests. This summer there are 139 free summer programs and 3539 total camps being offered to kids ages 10-13 in St. Louis. There are plenty of programs for every kid and situation to choose from to fit your 6th, 7th, or 8th grader’s specific interests and hobbies!
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Benefits of Summer Programs for Middle Schoolers
When it comes to summer camps for kids, and middle schoolers especially, there are multiple benefits that will help your child grow into a well-rounded individual. Some of the main benefits of summer programs for middle schoolers include:
Physical Activity
With technology continuing to be a major part of today’s adolescents, it is important to keep kids active, especially over the summer months. Summer camps continue to be one of the more ideal opportunities for kids to take some time away from smartphones and computers. There are many camps that consist of a range of activities throughout each day that allow for exercise–even most STEM and educational camps make sure there is time allotted for kids to get up and move!
Social Opportunities
Summer camps are great for tweens and teens to meet new friends and be social, and with the end of COVID on the horizon this is something a lot of middle schoolers have been lacking. As kids get older and more mature, camps allow them to develop social skills in a more grown-up environment. Kids in this age group that attend a summer camp will put them in common social situations, which can get them prepared for their college and their overall future.
Variety
Tween and teen summer camps allow them to try something different, or to continue something they like doing. Summer camps range from individual sports camps to STEM, to arts and crafts camps, so there are many different options available. There is an option for everyone, and there are plenty of opportunities available for middle schoolers to branch out and try something new or continue to grow their skills and knowledge in their current interests.
What to Look For When Choosing a Camp
As we’ve mentioned, there are many benefits to sending your middle schooler to summer camp, but it’s also important to choose a camp that will be the right fit. When looking for summer programs and camps for your middle schooler this summer, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Choose programs that let them aim high and push them out of their comfort zone so that they can grow not only in their skill set, but confidence as well.
- Look for programs that will prepare them for high school and independent learning so they can easily navigate this new path of their educational journey.
- Find camps that treat them maturely, allowing for growth in core development skills so that they can learn to do tasks and everyday responsibilities more independently.
Find camps that fit their current interests and talents to keep them engaged and learn new aspects of their interests they might not be exposed to in a classroom setting.
You should also take into consideration what a good summer program offers. Most summer programs and camps are founded on a few core principles in order for your child to benefit the most from their experience. A good summer camp program offers:
- Strong community for your child to join, centered upon shared values
- Ability to learn to work with other campers
- Development of new skills
- Development of new, lifelong friends
Your Search Begins With Blueprint4Summer
The experience of summer camp gives your middle schooler not only the opportunity to make new friends, but to also learn valuable life skills, find themselves, and make memories that will be remembered for life. When middle schoolers attend summer camp designed specifically for them, they can enjoy days full of both physical activity and social fulfillment, which is critical during that stage of life. For more information on summer programs and camps for middle schoolers, visit us online to start your search for the perfect summer camp today!