As the heat index rises and summer draws ever closer, an important season is almost upon us: summer break. Kids are out of school and parents are scrambling to identify childcare and enrichment options. Maybe you’ve already lost the kitchen table under camp info pamphlets, or accidentally closed the window with all the application tabs open. For many parents, this can be a stressful time of year. But it can also be stressful for the kids. And a quick Google search for “summer tech camps for kids” produced 67 million results, demonstrating just how difficult the task of choosing summer camp options may be for parents. Having survived those years myself, with a daughter now in college, here is some advice to help navigate the myriad of summer choices.
In the US, many options exist for summer care, from partial to full day camps and even sleep away camps ranging from a few days to several weeks or more. As parents, we want the best for our kids. Not just for the summer, but something that helps them succeed in school and even career opportunities down the road. As such, it’s easy to let competitive natures take over, sending kids to intensive “boot camps” where they can learn to code or engage in other technology-focused endeavors from sunup to sundown. These can range from programming to robotics, mathematics, or other science and technology centered endeavors. But are these camps really healthy for our children? And what’s best when they’re younger, or older?
The American Camp Association (ACA) provides some great insight into the benefits of camp during the summer break. Nowhere on the list is learning to code. Camp, especially for younger children, should be focused on socialization and structured play. As such, tech camps that incorporate elements of technology into a more active curriculum may be appropriate. But pushing a five-year-old to master the nuances of Python or regular expressions may not be the best approach.
That’s not to say a tech focused camp is not a good option. Instead of pushing kids so hard they break under the stress and pressure to perform, why not try an approach aimed at nurturing sustained interest and rewarding curiosity. For children who are interested in technology or wish to explore tech related areas, pair a well rated day camp or shorter technology-focused activity with traditional camp experiences that will help younger children grow and thrive in a balanced approach. Or look at camps that incorporate both!
Deeper technical camps may be more appropriate for older children and teens who are developing a sense of interest in technical disciplines. These children may be better adapted and able to handle deeper dives into technical subjects. However, let’s remember these older campers are still kids too. Summer camp should still be a fun and rewarding experience, not a competition or a form of summer school. Set expectations low for these camps, instead seeking camps that encourage kids to explore at their own pace and, where possible, pair them with more active options that get kids moving. A 2020 study by the World Health Organization confirms healthy active lifestyles begin during childhood.
A number of articles and studies show how IT workers can benefit from having well developed soft skills, and as an IT professional and business owner with decades of experience, I agree. The Enterprisers Project has posted one such informational piece here. These same soft skills align well with the benefits of camp outlined by the ACA. And they start with our children. Kids who are constantly pushed to demonstrate results and are not given time to socialize and play may have a harder time learning to communicate effectively as they become the next generation in the technology workforce.
With all this in mind, how does one choose a great summer camp option for our children to go full-STEAM ahead? Kids Guide has published a great article which should be helpful for both tech and non-tech focused camps. The keys are to find something your child is interested in, or to intentionally let your child explore new opportunities to broaden their horizons. Involving your child in choosing which camps to do can help with ensuring a good fit. And, most importantly, make sure the camp staff are well trained and fully qualified. After all, your child can’t have a rich and rewarding experience if the camp isn’t safe! Local community resources, online reviews, and even referrals from other parents can all be great sources to help make an informed decision.
Regardless of the decision to choose a technology focused summer camp for your child or another option, please remember to let your child play, explore and grow during this much needed downtime. They’ll be happy now, and it will help them thrive years down the road. I eagerly look forward to handing the torch to the next generation before too long, and I can only hope they are ready and willing to receive it.