Issue link: http://publications.winnipegfreepress.com/i/676074
than half of young people exhibited a positive change in their attitude toward environmental awareness and environmentally friendly behaviour after taking part in a camp. While some parents claim there is no need for their kids to attend camp since they are with them all summer at home or the cottage, the Waterloo study indicates otherwise. It says 67 per cent of all campers experience growth in terms of independence and self confidence. Scherger wholeheartedly agrees. "At camp, kids don't have mom and dad constantly looking over their shoulders. They're able to make decisions on their own in a safe environment. They gain independence and are able to learn different things because it's a safe place to try something new," she says. Another important aspect of camp is that it encourages young people to become more socialized and expand their social networks, Scherger says. The Waterloo study provides compelling evidence of that. It indicates 65 per cent of campers in the study exhibited improved citizenship and social integration over the course of their camp session. "People need to put away their devices and connect with other humans," Scherger says. "It's so important to connect with people and talk with someone face-to-face. You are able to read people better and can figure out things on a personal level. You can see and feel emotions so much better in person than with a text or email." Another interesting outcome of the summer camp research project is that it showed 61 per cent of campers displayed an improved attitude toward physical activity by the end of their session. While that trend might not continue once some young campers are back home, Scherger says it's a start. "I don't have any statistics but I think the odds are at least 50-50 (it will continue) especially when they're with their family," she says. Although summer camp can have a huge impact on a young person's life, Scherger says it can also be beneficial for the entire family. Family camps allow family members to put day-to-day priorities such as cooking or cleaning on hold and reconnect with each other in a distraction-free environment, something she says often isn't possible at home or the cottage. "What is happening nowadays is families don't get to spent a lot of time together," Scherger says. "Camp allows families to remember the importance of each other. We often don't get time for that at home because we're rushing off to something." One of the more positive recent changes to the camp experience has been an attempt to make it more inclusive for all members of the family, Scherger notes. That includes making sure programs and buildings can accommodate people with physical or intellectual disabilities. ❚ "People need to put away their devices and connect with other humans, it's so important to connect with people and talk with someone face-to-face." Building Relationships Sharing the Good News BECAUSE KIDS ARE WORTH IT A passion for the Gospel. A burden for Canada. ADVENTURE DAY CAMP www.adventuredaycampmb.org 6-875 Gateway Rd., Winnipeg, MB R2K 3L1 204-668-2776 DAUPHIN BIBLE CAMP www.dauphinbiblecamp.com Box 686, Dauphin, MB R7N 3B3 204-638-5568 GIMLI BIBLE CAMP www.gimlibiblecamp.com Box 1579, Gimli, MB R0C 1B0 204-642-5707 ROSEAU RIVER BIBLE CAMP www.roseauriver.ca Box 110, Roseau River, MB R0A 1P0 204- 427-2445 TURTLE MOUNTAIN BIBLE CAMP www.tmbc.ca Box 1198, Boissevain, MB R0K 0E0 204-747-2587 VALLEY VIEW BIBLE CAMP www.valleyviewbiblecamp.com Box 430, MacGregor, MB R0H 0R0 204-685-2999