Should Siblings Attend Camp Together?

25 May 2021

lesadmin

Camping is not only fun and exciting, but it also comes with numerous benefits for children of all ages. As a parent, determining whether your children should go camping together can be difficult.

What with sibling rivalry cases which are common among many sisters and brothers? Did you know that sending siblings to a sleepaway camp allows them to bond? Read on to understand why a family camping experience can transform the way siblings relate with one another.

What you Should Know Before Allowing Siblings to Attend a Camp Program

Whether your children cope well or enjoy similar camp activities, there are various factors to consider before sending them to a sleepaway or day camp. You want your kids to have an unforgettable camp experience and having factual information about each child can make or break their experience. Here are some questions you should answer before you can find a camp for your kids.

What is your child’s age? It is worth noting that a younger child may have difficulties staying away from their parents. On the other hand, older campers can adjust to separation from their parents for a few days with ease.

Are staff members at the camping facility empowered with child protection knowledge and practices?

Has your child been away from home successfully before? Does he or she attend sleepovers? Do they get anxious at the mention of being away from their parents?

Does your child have special needs?

What is the average age range for kids attending summer camp at your preferred facility?

Is your child passionate about attending a family camp?

What activities is your child interested in participating in during the Camp? Does the camping facility offer age-appropriate activities?

Has the camping facility adopted effective measures to combat the spread of coronavirus?

Once you are convinced that all your children are equipped and ready for Camp, you want to ask yourself: should I send my son and daughter to the same Camp or choose different camping facilities? Regardless of the choice you make, there will be pros and cons, as seen below.

Sending Siblings to the Same or Different Camps: Pros and Cons of Either Choice

Siblings who are nearly the same age, cope well, or share common interests will have lots of fun going camping together. Apart from making new friends, they get a chance to engage in high adventure activities like horseback riding, archery, and even hiking.

At the end of the camping experience, they will have fun reminiscing and discussing their newly acquired knowledge and skills. However, summer camp enables campers to develop vital social skills while encouraging bravery and encouraging independence.

SENDING SIBLINGS TO THE SAME OR DIFFERENT CAMPS: PROS AND CONS OF EITHER CHOICE

If the kids remain focused on one another, they are likely to miss an opportunity to excel individually. If your kids cannot stand one another, then choosing different camps would be ideal. You want the kids to engage in fun-filled activities without competing with one another.

Sometimes sending siblings to the same camping facility helps keep loneliness and homesickness at bay. In this case, ask the camp supervisors to place them in different activity groups and cabins. Doing so allows them to discover and enhance their individual passions and skills while exposing them to unique experiences.

What if a Young Sibling is not ready to go Camping?

According to therapists, when one child is not interested in going camping, leaving them behind exposes them to separation anxiety. Here are some tips to help parents ease the loneliness?

Photograph the siblings together before the older one leaves for camp. The young sibling can keep and refer to the photos while the older sibling is away until they come back.

Encourage the sibling who is going camping to write a mail to the younger sibling. Receiving personalized mail will not only excite the younger sibling, but it will also enhance the bond between them.

Let the younger child understand that they can still attend camp with their siblings when they are older and more prepared to do so.

Organize special activities for the younger sibling who remains behind. Remember, younger kids have an easy time adjusting to their regular schedule than older ones.

One of the most significant advantages of sending siblings to the same Camp is that you will enjoy exciting discounts. Whether you send siblings to the same or different camping facilities, consider their interests to give them an unforgettable experience.

How does Attending Camp Enhance Family Bonding?

Camping helps reinforce the bond between family members; including parents, children, and other extended family members. The success of bonding between members of the same family depends on where you spend your time.

Finding time to interact and engage in fun activities with your loved ones is an ideal strategy to complete activities successfully. Kids can even earn merit badges for the successful completion of assigned tasks.

Remember, we live in a fast-paced world, and people are getting detached from one another rapidly. Finding time to get back together can help you reconnect and relive your childhood memories.

· Families Hardly get Sufficient Time to Bond

Today, weeks have become longer, and parents are working long hours to meet the financial needs of their families. Some parents work different hours or shifts, keeping them away from the kids longer.

As technology evolves, many siblings are relying on their electronic gadgets for entertainment, reducing the moments they spend together. Unlike in the past when mealtimes were a family time, people hardly get time to share a meal and catch up with each other’s lives. As a result, there is a rapidly increasing disconnect between siblings and their parents.

· How does Attending Camp Help?

Some parents have been sending siblings to summer camp for years. Today, some parents are sending siblings to summer camps for the first time to boost their bond and help them get along better.

Opt to bring your siblings for summer-winter-autumn camps

Whether you send siblings to a camping facility or choose to attend as an entire family, there are numerous bonding opportunities. You can opt to include your kids in the planning process to give them a feeling of inclusion and create family bonding time. As the kids make their contributions, you get a chance to learn what they are passionate about.

· Older Campers Bond Easily

Older siblings tend to get along better than three-year-olds. This group of siblings can start bonding by doing certain activities together like erecting their tents. If the camping facility allows siblings to spend time together, they can combine efforts to accelerate the completion of tasks. Doing so not only enhances their teamwork skills but also allows them to learn and tolerate one another with ease.

Did you know that 6-year-old boy scouts can help their elder siblings by executing simple tasks like passing them the hammer and tent pegs?

· Engaging in a Range of Activities as a Team

Every summer camp offers varied activities. For example, some centers allow campers to engage in cooking competitions, while in others, there is staff on standby to prepare food for campers.

Families can choose to cook for themselves or have the staff cook for them as they sit around the campfire and catch up on each other’s lives. Interacting with family members is an ideal way of learning new things about one another.

Today, many children spend most of their time on their devices, and they may end up living in fantasy. Getting them off their devices helps them get back to reality. You want to avoid exposing your kids to situations that lower their self-esteem, like social media bullying.

· Attending Camp can be some Form of Therapy

If you have kids with special needs, then sending them to a different environment renews their strength. A kid with special needs will reap excellent benefits from going camping like any other child. These benefits include:

Exposure to rejuvenating exercises and activities such as Webelo scouter forums
A chance to become independent and increased confidence
An opportunity to interact with their peers and form new relationships
Some summer camps even have oncology experts who assist kids whenever need be.
An opportunity to meet mentors

How can Parents help Siblings Bond?

In the book, NutureShock: New Thinking About Children, authors Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman say:

“In many sibling relationships, the rate of conflict can be high, but the fun times in the backyard and the basement more than balance it out. This net-positive is what predicts a good relationship later in life. In contrast, siblings who ignored each other had less fighting, but their relationship stayed cold and distant long term.”

Every parent’s wish is that their kids can bond and get along well. Here are some tips to help you develop a significant relationship between siblings and motivate them to be friends.

· Encourage Siblings to Engage in Activities

Guide your kids towards activities that enhance their strength. For example, if one of the siblings has difficulties sitting still, have them participate in an enjoyable outdoor activity. Some activities that siblings can engage in as a team include baking a cake and cleaning the kitchen. You can even photograph them as they collaborate on tasks and frame them up.

· Separate them for Sometime

Often, remaining together for long encourages fights. Consider giving siblings a break from one another and allow them to spend time individually. You can send one of them for a sleepover event at a relative’s house and have the other remain at home.

Doing so helps them value each other more once they reconnect. When kids spend time on their own, they get a chance to build their strengths without comparing themselves to their siblings.

· Identify and Nurture Activities that Allow Siblings to Play Together

Research on enhancing sibling relationships suggests that kids relate better when they engage in activities they are passionate about. Determining these activities is not easy for kids with a wide age gap between them. However, if you watch your kids keenly, you will be able to suggest fun activities for them. For example, if one child is interested in a different activity, you can encourage them to collaborate in one activity at a time. Doing so encourages teamwork.

· Encourage Siblings to Care for One Another

Devise a family practice where when one child is hurt, everybody stops what they are doing to console their hurt sibling. Based on the extent of hurt, you can have the other children assist in tending to their brother or sister. If the injury resulted from a fight, have the victims apologize to one another.

· Let Your Children Understand and Appreciate the Fact that they are Different

Everybody has unique personality traits. One sibling may be loud and outgoing, opting to engage in fun activities with friends. Another child could be reserved and quiet, opting to sit alone in a corner and read silently.

When siblings have varied temperaments and interests, conflicts are bound to occur. As a parent, you should ensure that kids understand these differences and learn how to respect each other’s personal space.

Make sure siblings focus on loving one another regardless of their differences. If one child wants to engage in action-filled activities while the other wants to complete their BSA homework quietly, create a system that allows them to create a schedule together.

Help them discover and include activities they share in common in their programs. Recommend other fun activities that will enhance the bond between the siblings.

· Ensure Kids Understand why Respect is Critical

Respect is a critical factor in developing great relationships, and listening is an excellent method of respecting one another. Train your kids to treat others with concern, empathy, love, and kindness. Showing respect involves speaking to one another using a pleasant tone amid disagreements.

Siblings should learn that downplaying each other’s opinions is disrespectful. They should also master the art of respecting each other’s belongings and space. Adopt a family policy where siblings should seek each other’s permission before touching stuff they do not own.

· Let the Siblings Work Together to Complete Chores

Develop a sense of cooperation and teamwork among siblings by assigning them activities and exercises that promote collaboration. For example, you can get the kids to work on a particular task together or encourage them to help one another with tasks.

Some of these projects include cleaning the compound or repainting the garage walls. Make sure the chores are age-appropriate based on their abilities. Set a good example that the siblings can abide by in the future as adults.

Take Away

Siblings can either attend the same or different camps. Regardless of the choice you make there will always be pros and cons. Understand your children and make the right decision that meets their needs.

While sibling rivalry is a normal occurrence, parents have a role to play in nurturing sibling bonds.

Visit our website and acquire more summer camping tips.

What do our campers say about us?

18 May 2021

lesadmin

We all know how much important are the reviews. Find out here below what our campers have to say about their experience at Les Elfes Camps!

"Dear Adam, Thank you very much for your kind feedback (my son) had an amazing time. It was such a lucky coincidence that I`ve found your camp online just one day before it started. (my son) always wished to go back on a snowboarding holiday and as we just moved from London to Paris and he was so upset, missing his friends, that your camp came up at the perfect time. We are very proud of him as he did it so spontaneous all on his own. As well we could see his smile on his face every evening over the phone. Thank you so much for your professional, fantastic and great work. He will definitely be back and he is already looking forward to it. I’ve just started recommending your camp not all of my friend :)… Best wishes from Paris"

"As an education agency, we are committed to guiding families from Japan through the details of the admissions process and providing continued support for students during their stay in Switzerland. We sent 2 students (10 and 13 years old girls) to Les Elfes winter camp and we have received positive feedback from them as well as their families. Here are some comments about the 10-year-old participant. She's been studying in a Swiss boarding school since January. Due to the current Covid-19 related travel restrictions, she couldn't go back to Japan during spring break and decided to join the camp at Les Elfes. In the beginning, she was feeling a little anxious about learning new routines and making new friends. But it didn't take long until she felt welcome and comfortable thanks to the friendly Les Elfes staff. (Thank you, Adam!) Besides, the school facilities and staff members all contribute to safety, support and well-being throughout her entire stay. She enjoyed skiing, of course, a wide range of fun activities, sports, excursions and evening programmes as well as language lessons. She made great friends and is already looking forward to returning in the summer. We will continue to send our students to your camp. Thank you for your continued partnership!"

"Dear team, I hope this email finds you all well. I would like to thank you very much for all your support, collaboration and follow up from the beginning of the first contact to the end of the stay of my 3 students. I would say I am writing to you as the agent of three students, whose mother have come back to their agent to express their satisfaction with the programme (lessons, activities, excursions) and mostly with the great staff that has helped that the children’s experience has been really amazing. Thank you very much for welcoming me with such great kindness into the camp, to Carlotta to invite me to dinner, to Adam for that great tour in the lovely area!, to Rasa to drive me to the station, to Consuelo to always be available to answer my emails asap, to Iggy for taking care of my children, to Sam for making (my student) having the most exciting summer in her life, to Alicia for following (my student)’s treatment up and looking after her day after day, to Fernando for his amazing sports activities, to Fred for his daily meals…. Furthermore, this time as a mother and not as the agent, I can reassure you did a great job too! With my best wishes"

"Good afternoon, first of all, I’d like to thank all of you for the fantastic experience that all of you gave to (my son). He came back home enthusiastic and he looks forward to coming back next year, this will be a good reason to remind him to study from the beginning of the school year!"

"Dear Adam, It is a great pleasure to hear from you, we have very good memories from the winters and summers (our son) spent with Les elfes. He was very young and it was really good for him. I want you to know that he is 16+ now, this month is in China studying and he already speaks german and French also very well. Next year he will go to *** high school, with a full scholarship. So, as you see, the years to Les elfes made him self confident and full of energy. We will try to send him over, even for 15 days. Best regards,"

It’s time to book the best summer camp to your children!

Regards from us all at Les Elfes

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Tips to Encourage Your Kids to Try an International Summer Camp

18 May 2021

lesadmin

Summer camp is critical for a child’s growth. Apart from developing confidence, summer camp helps children engage in new activities, learn new skills, make new friends, and become independent. Summer camp is one of the best ways to let your kids enjoy the outdoors. However, attending a sleepaway camp can be frightening, more so for first-time campers. In this article, we shall discuss:

Determining your child’s preparedness for sleepaway camp
International summer camp preparedness tips for kids
International summer camp preparedness tips for parents

How to Determine Your Child’s Preparedness for Sleepaway Summer Camp

Children develop at a varied pace, and there is no particular age when a kid is fully prepared for camp. Leverage the following tips to determine how ready your child is for the camp experience.

·They can Maintain their Hygiene

Camp supervisors and counselors will have to remind kids to take showers and brush their teeth. However, kids should be able to do these tasks on their own. While summer camp teaches kids a wide range of life skills, kids should already possess some essential skills like showering alone.

·If the Kid has Attended Sleepovers Successfully

Has your child been at a sleepover away from home, either at a relative’s or friend’s house? At the end of the sleepover, consider discussing the experience both with them and their host.

Did they have fun? How long did it take them to adjust to the new environment? Did they sleep well? Were they anxious or relaxed? If they had a great experience and have been to several playdates or sleepovers successfully, they are ready for a sleepaway camp.

·Your Child is Asking to Go Camping

If your Kid had been attending day camp, they will know when they are ready for more challenging adventures. When they ask for permission to go to sleepaway camp, you do not have to wait for any other sign. Still, some kids will need more encouragement from their parents to want to attend sleepaway camp.

Be on the lookout for your child’s reaction to the mention of International summer camp. Are they afraid or excited to engage in the adventure? If they are scared, then consider the tips in this article to encourage them. If they are excited, you can start planning for their summer camp trip.

·Your Kid Shows Interest in Learning New Fun Activities

Summer camp presents kids with different fun ideas that help them try new activities. Does your Kid engage in new activities with excitement and open-mindedness than fear? That is an excellent sign that the child is ready for sleepaway camp.

· If the Kids can go to Sleep Comfortably with the help of Babysitters

Do you always put your child to bed? They may struggle during their first day in international summer camp. However, if your child is used to going to sleep on their own or with the help of babysitters, they will have a smooth experience. Remember, bedtime is one of the most stressful moments for children when they are away from home.

According to author and family psychotherapist Dr. Fran Walfish, “Separation from Mom and Dad is the primary key psychological and emotional benefit for children and parents going to sleepaway camp.” Being assured of their comfort when they are away from you means they can cope with the counselors at the summer camp with ease.

International Summer Camp Preparedness Tips for Kids

Here are tips to help kids prepare for an upcoming international summer camp adventure.

· Know when Summer Camp Kicks Off

Once you and your guardian or parent choose the best summer camps, ensure you understand when it kicks off. Doing so helps you monitor the amount of time you have left before you can start packing. Request your parents for a constant countdown in the living area so that you can have a daily reminder of the upcoming trip.

· Take Good Care of Yourself

While at summer camp, you will need to be highly responsible. You will have to look after your stuff and your hygiene. Camp counselors may remind you often, but remember, taking good care of yourself will be your responsibility. You can prepare in advance by asking your parents for tips on how to be independent.

Start with simple tasks around the home like making your bed or clearing the dining table. Going away for sleepaway camp can be both exciting and scary. You may want to practice by going for a sleepover at a family or friend’s house first. That experience will help you develop essential organization and social skills. You will also learn how to manage your belongings.

· Take Part in the Parking Process

Start collecting your belongings early in advance. Your parents should have a packing list from the camping facility. Be sure to follow the list together with them, and do not forget essentials like bug spray, and sunscreen.

Pack lots of play clothes so that you can have enough pieces to change as they will get dirty fast. Consider other components that you may need for an unforgettable camping experience and request your parents to include them in your packing list.

When you participate in the packing process before going camping, you will learn how to do it when going back home after camp.

· Be Vocal about Things you are Anxious About

Being anxious about attending an international summer camp for the first time is expected. You may want to share what you feel with your parents and listen to their advice. Consider talking to your peers who has attended an international summer camp before.

Instead of keeping your anxiety to yourself, consider voicing it out. Talking about your feelings with people gives you a basic understanding of what you should expect from summer camp.

As a result, you will be more prepared for the encounter. Acquiring more knowledge about international summer camps will make you feel better.

· Remember Summer Camp is all About the Outdoors

You will spend most of your camping time outdoors, which will expose you to severe sunburns. You do not want to miss out on the fun camp activities due to severe discomfort. Request your parents for sunglasses, enough sunscreen, and hats for optimal protection. When you have to rest at the camp, do so under the shade or indoors away from direct sunlight.

· Follow the Set Rules while Having Fun

When you finally get to the summer camp, remember to be responsible enough to follow the set rules. Unlike the school year, summer camp can be fast-paced and different. While you may feel nervous on the first day, you will get used to it as you interact with your peers.

Strive to try various summer programs and activities you have never engaged in before, like outdoor picnics, fun crafts, and theater. Try new interests and get answers to all of your questions from your camp counselors.

Getting dirty is good during summer camp. Be yourself, make as many friends as you can, and remember the importance of social distancing during the pandemic.

International Summer Camp Preparedness Tips for Parents

Here are tips to help parents ensure their campers are ready for an unforgettable summer camp experience.

· Visit Your Physician as Soon as Possible

Once you receive the summer camp welcome letter, packing list, and medical forms, it may appear like you have a lot of time to prepare. However, there is hardly enough time to get well-organized.

If your child requires a physical examination before attending camp, try to book an appointment as soon as possible. If they only need their health forms signed by a doctor, have them signed immediately and send them back to the camp.

If the camp prefers the medical information delivered on the first day of camp, file the report well. Doing so helps you remember where the forms are. Always buy your child’s essentials early in advance.

· Advocate for Independence

While giving your kids more independence can be scary, encouraging them to engage in activities that promote independence before camp is critical. Focus on what is positive, follow up on their progress a day at a time, and reward them accordingly.

Adopt the idea that the child will be at camp longer and avoid mentioning that they will grow homesick. Instead, please encourage them to give the summer camp experience a try from a positive perspective.

You can even promise to consider sending them to the next summer camp if they behave appropriately. Fulfilling your commitment will enhance your child’s self-esteem and give them a sense of responsibility.

· Maintain Calm and Positive Conversations

Avoid talking about homesickness in front of your young people, and always maintain positive conversations as you pack. Remember, your child will be watching you and may misunderstand any tension that you demonstrate. You do not want them to develop negative thoughts about international summer camps.

· Visit the Camping Site in Advance

Where possible, try and visit the campsite ahead of the official event. As a parent, you do not want to be constantly asking yourself: Is my child safe? Ask all the questions you may have about the camp when you visit. If visiting the campsite is impossible, try to browse through their social media platforms or website for more insight.

· Observe the Packing List and Involve Your Kids

Start packing early in advance and include play clothes that kids are not afraid of staining or ripping. Consider labeling your Kid’s belongings, especially if you bought them specifically for the trip. Doing so helps kids remember and monitor their stuff carefully.

Pack extra undergarments, t-shirts, and socks and include the proper gear for sun protection. Involve your child in the packing process so that they can learn how to pack without your assistance.

Ensure that their bag is easy to carry together with any other belongings they should bring along. Remember, summer camp is an excellent way of helping kids reduce screen time, and some devices are forbidden. These include MP3 plates, electronic games, and cell phones.

· Observe Arrival and Departure Time

Whether you are dropping your child at the bus pickup point or campsite, consider arriving on time. Deliver all the necessary paperwork to the camp director and trust your child to get a seat on the bus individually. The camp counselor will be available to help when the need arises. Avoid lingering around and let the kids start their camp program adventure. You can place a phone call later on, to track their progress if the camp allows.

· Prepare Your Kids to Make New Friends

Often, children wonder whether they will make new friends at summer camp. Jennifer Higgins, mother of two academic summer camp experts at the University of Virginia, says:

“Every year, I suggest the girls pack something that has their school name and Ocean City, New Jersey (a favorite summer vacation spot), on it. These items have served as a good conversation starter with other kids. They also pack nail polish, remover, cotton balls, gossip magazines, and Frisbees. These give the girls something to do around the suite at night or to entice some outside play.”

· After the Camp, Give the Kids Time to Adapt to Normal Life

After spending high adrenaline fun days at summer camp, your child will need some time to adapt back to the regular home routine. Remember, children are different. While some of them will be excited to talk about their adventures immediately, others will take time to come to terms with the idea of leaving.

Please do not push your child into talking about their experiences. Instead, allow them to rest and give them good food to help them recharge. Once your Kid is ready to speak, leverage the opportunity to talk about the additional tasks they learned at summer camp, like washing their dishes and making their bed every day.

Discuss fun activities they engaged in during summer camp evenings like roasting marshmallows and storytelling. Determine whether they are ready to implement some of these responsibilities and fun activities in the home schedule.

Identify strategies to form a relationship over the new experiences your kids had during summer camp. Apart from developing young minds, summer camp involves creating great family moments for kids and their parents to cherish forever.

Takeaway

Going for a sleepaway camp can be daunting, especially for first-timers. However, parents can help their kids relax and prepare them for the upcoming adventure.

Summer camp teaches children a range of life skills they can carry on in their adulthood.

Visiting the campsite before the trip is an excellent way of ensuring that your child will be comfortable away from home.

Exposing kids to sleepaway summer camps allows them to interact with their peers from different parts of the world. Not only do they get a chance to make new friends, but they also learn about other cultures.

For more summer camp tips, visit our blog today.

☀️ Les Elfes Summer camp will start very soon!

12 May 2021

lesadmin

Dear Parents,

Winter camp is drawing to a close and we would like to say a huge thank you to all of our campers. It has been a fantastic experience.

With many schools operating under restrictions, many of our campers have not been able to take part in any group/sporting activities. At Les Elfes, campers have participated in vitally important group activities and outdoor sports. Skiing and snowboarding are so beneficial, and the mountains this season did not disappoint with ideal snow conditions all the way through the season.

We are offering Free-cancelation with full refund at any time.

With restrictions easing off in Switzerland for various other facilities, campers have also been able to visit exciting destinations from a guided tour of Chillon Castle, to the exciting Communication Museum in Bern, the combination of culture, sports and learning has been as popular as ever.

What’s New? Changes in the Red list

Covid has certainly changed the way in which we operate and will do for the foreseeable future. The great news is since the reopening of Les Elfes in July last year we have remained COVID-FREE, with plenty of campers having being tested, as well as regular testing for our staff. Regular temperature checks, social distancing, masks, higher hygiene protocols to name but a few measures are clearly working. This gives us confidence moving toward the Summer, where hopefully with vaccine roll-outs progressing we can see more campers allowed to travel without quarantine periods for example the UK and UAE having recently come off the quarantine ‘red list ‘ for Switzerland.

What about the Summer camps? We open on the 13th of June!

Summer Camp wouldn’t be exciting without new activities, this year new on offer we have plenty.

Surfing at Alais Bay in Sion generating real excitement, being able to learn surfing in Switzerland isn’t something we ever thought possible but on the contrary!

Are you into building rockets robots and building drones? Tech Labs are experts in this and this Summer will be bringing their team for a day of robotic building and programming.

New Cabane destinations at Champex Lac offering stunning scenery and woodland adventure in the mountains a short drive from Verbier will also be on offer.

Campers this year will be able to do a zip line from mountain Mt Fort, 3330m above sea level. Stunning views from the top looking over to the Matterhorn in Zermatt and Mont Blanc in Chamonix.

FREE-CANCELLATION AND STRICT COVID-19 MEASURES ARE STILL IN PLACE

As expected, COVID-19 measures are in place, and we are extremely diligent and prepared with regular checks and efficient protocols.

We are offering Free-cancelation with full refund at any time.

It’s time to book the best summer camp to your children!

Regards from us all at Les Elfes

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Kids Cooking Summer Camp: Healthy Practices and Skills Kids Learn from Cooking

04 May 2021

lesadmin

Kids cooking summer camp allows young chefs to indulge in their passion for food preparation. For children that enjoy being in the kitchen, an interactive full-day camp program is an ideal way of spending their summer holiday.

Going camping exposes kids to a wide range of cuisine culture and cooking techniques. Apart from learning about cooking summer camps, this article covers the following:

Healthy practices and skills that kids will learn from cooking
Cooking activities for preschoolers and older children

Understanding Kids Cooking Summer Camps

Whether your child attends a one-week or half-day kid’s camp, they will get firsthand practice and experience from professionals. They will also learn how to use professional utensils from qualified cooking school camp instructors.

Summer cooking camps expose kids to different features such as collaborating with their peers and kitchen safety. Summer camp cooking classes are appropriate for 7-year-olds and teenagers. Often, camp week cooking sessions operate under a particular theme like food from a specific culture or a particular cooking style.

On the other hand, daily cooking schedules at camp include preparing different snacks, meals, international cuisines, and desserts. Some camp afternoon sessions end up in competitions that make camping fun and exciting. The main goal of going to a cooking camp is to have fun, make new friends, and acquire valuable kitchen experience. Kids will have fun preparing meals and eating them as well.

What Healthy Practices and Skills do Kids Learn from Cooking Camps?

The skills children develop from cooking summer Sur la table camps are applicable in various places. For example, they learn how to follow procedures and instructions. They will also master the art of handling complex projects. Food preparation can be a stepping stone to different science topics.

Staying at a cooking camp also applies to other components like nutritional science, fitness, and health. Many children are happy to help with baking pretzels and cupcakes around the kitchen. They may not realize that doing so exposes them to different skills like reading recipes and measuring ingredients.

Cooking activities for children during summer camp help them develop a wide range of skills, as we shall see below. Further, they expose children to healthy habits that they can carry into their adulthood. Here are skills that your kids will develop while attending kids cooking summer camp.

· Evaluating their Senses

Young children get an opportunity to experience next-level cooking techniques while in summer camp. For example, during bread baking cooking classes, children will be excited to listen to the bustling sound of the dough mixer. They will also participate in dough pounding and watch it as it rises.

Further, kids will have fun smelling the sweet scent of bread as it bakes in the oven. In the end they will marvel at the taste of fresh warm bread straight from the oven. With continued practice, children will enhance their bread-making skills and practice them at home once camp ends.

· Growing their Aesthetic Taste

Is your child a picky eater? If they are, sending them to kids cooking summer camp can be all they need to improve their eating habits. Many children eat better when surrounded by their peers. What’s more, there will be different irresistible foods to try at the camp. One of the most exciting things is that they will take part in the food preparation process. As a result, the kids will acquire a sense of achievement and make them anxious to sample their own dishes.

· They Learn how to Choose Healthy Meals

The food preparation process involves preparing a grocery list and planning your menu. Camp counselors talk to campers about healthy food choices like including fruits and veggies in their meals.

· Kids Become More Responsible

The kitchen is one of the busiest places in a cooking summer camp. Kids learn how to handle kitchen appliances safely, following recipes, cleaning, and keeping the kitchen well organized. Participating in kitchen chores teaches children how to be responsible.

· They Acquire Basic Language, Science, and Math Skills

As kids practice how to stir sauce, prepare bread dough, and crack eggs, they also get a basic understanding of language, science, and math. The process of counting the number of eggs required teaches math skills.

Determining what should go first, second, and last teaches sequencing skills while reading recipes promotes reading comprehension. At the end of the cooking summer camp, your child will be confident enough to try new recipes independently.

Cooking Activities that Preschoolers and Teens can Engage in During Cooking Summer Camp

Some kitchen tasks are ideal for kids ages 3 to 6. Often, camp counselors will suggest roles that fit their skill level. These roles should not be elaborate because young kids often get bored quickly. The average tasks for children under this age bracket should last between 5 and 10 minutes. Make the role short but fun. Here are some roles that preschoolers can do.

Compiling ingredients
Reading a cookbook
Ripping up lettuce to prepare salad

Summer Camp Cooking Activities for Teens

Each day at the Les Elfes International Summer camp, teens will prepare a full meal. They will even have enough to carry home on the last day of camp. Here are exciting parenting resources and camp activities that older kids will do.

Level One Culinary School

At the level one culinary cooking school, camp professionals introduce campers to various practical kitchen aspects. Apart from kitchen safety and appliances, they learn about hygiene and acquire practical kitchen skills.

Campers will have lots of fun preparing a wide range of meals on their own, like tacos, pizza, and mouth-watering sauces. Camp organizers schedule a flavor day where teens learn about the basis of flavor and master their tasting skills. On the final camp day, the children will participate in a mystery ingredient contest.

· Introduction to Knife Skills

Using a knife safely to dice and chop is a skill that children will learn at the kids cooking summer camp. Campers then use their learned knife skills to prepare ingredients based on what is on the menu. During this activity, the chef will introduce campers to a wide range of spices and herbs from different parts of the world. Further, the teens will learn how to match herbs with suitable meals.

· Introduction to Kitchen Skills

This activity is a continuation of the culinary cooking school, where campers learn culinary terminology. The resident chef introduces children to the process of preparing pizza dough. After the lesson, every student is tasked with preparing both sweet and savory pan-roasted pizzas. During this activity, campers will learn how to tie the dough in different ways. They can use these techniques when preparing pizza knots at home.

· Mouth-watering Mother Sauces

Every good chef understands the importance of mother sauces when it comes to the preparation of delicious meals. During this activity, campers will learn the basis of excellent cooking; they will also learn how to be creative with food preparation.

From velouté, bechamel, roux, and stock, every camper will prepare individual alfredo sauces to go with pasta. They will then serve the meal with custom-made vinaigrette and salad complete with fruit.

· Flavor Dynamics

Some of the flavors you may know about include umami, sour, bitter, sweet, and salty. However, many people may not know the art of combining and balancing them to create unique dishes. During this activity, campers will learn how to taste these flavors one by one. The chef will also teach them about the different sources of acids, salt, herbs, fats, and spices available from different cultures around the world. The culmination of this activity will be the preparation of a flavorful meal.

· Mystery Ingredient Contest

The mystery ingredient contest will be the culmination of the level one kids cooking summer camp. Campers will go through the different lessons they have learned and take part in a competition. The contest is friendly and fun, and there are no losers. However, judges always have difficulty picking the young chef who scores the most marks depending on cooking technique, taste, presentation, and creativity. The camper who gets the highest score receives a reward and a tin of ice cream.

Next Level Culinary School

The next level culinary school is a day summer camp for campers who want to improve their basic kitchen skills. In this activity, chefs focus on the skills and techniques that children can leverage in overall cooking instead of creating recipes only.

Every day the campers will learn new techniques and a menu. Kids will execute their roles alone from beginning to end. Just as is the case in the level one culinary school, campers will have a mystery ingredient contest at the end of the camping session.

· Day 1: Breakfast Meant for Dinner

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. In this case, campers will be making a hearty breakfast meal that they can consume at dinner. By the end of the activity, they will have mastered the art of:

Poaching eggs perfectly
Making fresh and delicious whipped cream
Using baking soda or powder to make some fluffy, delicious pancakes
Making deluxe creamy hollandaise sauce

Every aspiring chef must master these skills before becoming an expert in the game.

· Day 2: Homemade Ravioli

Many people are yet to master the art of making fresh pasta appropriately. During this activity, campers will convert fresh pasta into two different ravioli types, complete with unique sauces and fillings. Learning how to combine different flavors in a single meal is crucial. Campers will also know that some flavor combinations are more superior to others.

· Day 3: Sunday Grill

The Sunday grill is one of the most popular traditions at the Les Elfes International camp. In this activity, campers will learn how to stuff, tether, grill, and carve an entire turkey. They will also learn how to glaze veggies, use seasoning to make flavorful and rich gravy, and make the ideal pumpkin empanadas and mashed potatoes.

· Day 4: Mystery Ingredient Contest

Like is the case in the level one culinary school, campers will participate in a friendly and fun mystery ingredient contest. While everyone is a winner, judges will be looking for the ultimate young chef with the highest score in cooking technique, taste, presentation, and creativity. The camper who scores highest will receive a prize.

Takeaway

In the era of the COVID-19 pandemic, many kids cooking summer camps are offering virtual cooking sessions via zoom. This idea comes in handy to protect campers and curb the spread of the disease.

Apart from mastering cooking skills and making new friends, children will learn how to make healthy meal choices.

Cooking is an art that exposes campers to a wide range of life skills that they can use in the future.

Read through our website for more summer camping tips.

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