Why should you donate to Rockfish Camp and Retreat center?
With year end giving upon us and every non-profit asking for your charity you may be wondering to yourself "why should I donate to this or that charity?" Today we will present you with 15 reasons you should support Rockfish Camp and Retreat Center's summer camp program. It is through these reasons you can personally impact the lives of children by helping them grow in so many ways.
1.Developing Life-Long Skills
During summer camp children participate in a variety of group activities. For example, while participating in a sport like a volleyball or gaga ball, a child learns how to work on a team, communicate with other children and solve problems on their own. A child will develop leadership skills, for instance, by guiding a team of other children on a hike. Or, a child will develop stronger communication skills when dividing up chores in an overnight camp. Perhaps a child will build important decision-making skills as they face challenges and overcome obstacles while trying new and exciting activities like ziplining or archery. All these skills are important in the real world and are nurtured in summer camp.
2. Promotes Independence
At camp the child experiences time away from a parent. This independent time is important in helping children develop a sense of identity. Kids learn to become more self-reliant as they explore their interests and discover their strengths and weaknesses. They learn to trust their inner voice instead of depending on a parent or teacher to tell them what to do. Independence is vital to becoming a self-sufficient adult.
Perhaps a child is afraid to sleep without Mom or Dad down the hall, or maybe they are too shy to go out alone. Camp will help them transition to independence as they explore the world in a new and exciting way. Independence also helps boost a child's self-esteem.
3. Makes Time for Play
During the school year children are used to the routine of making it to school on time, doing homework, then going to bed. Some may engage in extracurricular activities. Although still structured, summer camp is more relaxed than the school routine and provides time and freedom for spontaneous play.
Free play is important to a child's development because they learn to develop creative thinking skills and explore their imagination through play. Playtime creates a safe place for children to express their thoughts and emotions, creating stronger and happier kids.
4. Teaches Teamwork
No matter what a child's interests are, whether it be sports or arts and crafts, a camp program will engage them in activities that require teamwork. Knowing how to work in a team is a useful skill for life.
Teamwork matters because it helps develop communication skills, emotional intelligence and leadership skills.
An understanding of teamwork helps a child realize working with others is sometimes the most efficient way to get things done. They will value teamwork as a solution, rather than think they need to handle tasks on their own. As a result, children will grow up with an eagerness to be active members of their community.
5. Teaches Resiliency
Resiliency is an essential life skill because to be resilient means to get up and push forward after an inevitable setback.
Camp provides the opportunity for children to face and practice overcoming challenges. For example, they might not win their first bazooka ball game, but they will learn that practice will make them a better player. Or, they might not be able to reach the top of the the fort and ziplines right away, but they will learn not to give up and to keep trying. Once they make it to the top, they will feel stronger and more resilient than they did before and be excited to let go and trust God when they zip their way to the end.
Camp teaches the value of effort and helps kids believe in themselves as they overcome challenges with determination, patience and a drive to succeed. Learning new hobbies also teaches positive outlets to cope with life struggles, and kids will build a strong support system of camping buddies to help them leap over obstacles.
6. Provides Fun Screen-Free Activities
Kids and adults are spending too much time in front of a screen. Too much media time reduces time spent sleeping and reading, and may have a negative impact on performance in school.
Camp helps children connect to the joy of life beyond the screen. In all our camp programs, children will have endless opportunities to engage their minds in ways they'll enjoy.
Regardless of what your child's interests are, they will learn and socially interact in a healthy real-world setting at summer camp. Time away from the screen is vital to a child's brain, body, spirit, and future, and could benefit us all.
7. Encourages Connection with God and the Natural World He Created
Kids need nature in their lives, but they also need to understand that there is a creator who made all that possible for us.
Nature stimulates all the senses. When a child is outdoors they get to see, touch, hear, and fully take in God's creation. On one side sensory development is aided which makes life fuller, richer, and all around more amazing. On the other side the soul is fed because they can tangibly grasp and see all that God does for them on a daily basis, big and small.
8. Fosters Growth
One of the biggest benefits of summer camp is it takes children out of their comfort zone and pushes them to try new things, as well as explore their already established interests. They will grow as they develop their skills doing their favorite activities, and they will develop new skills as they try activities they have never tried before.
In general, they will leave camp with a stronger sense of identity and a better idea of what they love, which may help them choose a career path in the future.
9. Builds Self-Esteem
At summer camp, children have the opportunity to achieve, whether that be to catch a fish or to paint their first painting in a less competitive environment than school. Achievement is the main ingredient in self-esteem.
Self-esteem is important for children and adults because we make decisions in life based on how we see ourselves. We choose our careers, relationships and make other important decisions heavily influenced by our self-esteem. Children learn self-esteem through taking action and earning results, and by contributing to their community. They learn to value themselves as a result of hard work and achievement.
10. Supports Healthy Living
Camp programs encourage healthy eating and physical activity. At camp, kids have the opportunity to participate in all kinds of fun physical activities at any skill level. All children will have the opportunity to participate in physical activity, no matter what camp they choose.
Physical activity is crucial for heart health and maintaining a healthy weight. Additionally, it and it boosts confidence and helps manage stress. It is important to teach the necessity of physical activity when children are young so they can carry exercise habits into adulthood.
In general, kids rely on fun, activities, learning and socializing to relieve stress at camp, rather than engaging in less healthy activities.
11. Nurtures Friendships
Kids get to meet other children with similar interests in a relaxed setting at camp. They also get to meet new friends with different backgrounds. Children bond over their camp experience, the challenges they face together and the fun they have free from pressure of the distractions of media to build genuine friendships that last.
12. Teaches Kids to Respect Differences
In summer camp, children will learn to work with other children to accomplish common goals, whether that be to build a shelter or win a whiffle ball game. While engaged in a variety of activities, children will gain exposure to different viewpoints and opinions. They will learn that not everyone has the same perspective or beliefs they do. They will also learn that to accomplish a goal with others, or to live and play in harmony, they must respect and work with differences.
Also, summer camp creates an environment that encourages respect and consideration for others. Children get praise for including others and behaving respectfully.
13. Keeps Kids Intellectually Engaged
Over the summer, kids may become sluggish without the intellectual stimulation of school, but camp provides mental stimulation in fun ways kids can enjoy. They get the chance to participate in activities that interest them and stimulate their young minds through games, problem solving challenge courses, art, and daily devotionals.
14. Promotes Growth in a Safe Environment
Although kids will enjoy the freedom to play and choose activities that interest them, camp also provides a safe, comforting and structured environment. Campers follow a schedule and routine, which provides a sense of security. This structure also teaches responsibility and self-control.
For example, overnight campers wake up in the morning and learn to start the day with a nourishing breakfast. They get into a routine that encourages a decent night of sleep and healthy eating. Children may follow these habits far into adulthood.
When a child feels safe and secure, they feel free to explore their interests, to play and to laugh. Camp gives kids a chance to express themselves and learn who they are.
15. Gives Children a Sense of Purpose
Children will feel a greater connection to their community and to God through camp activities like devotions throughout the day, group challenge courses, singing, dancing, and playing various camp games. As a result, kids grow up to value these things and may feel more inclined to make a positive impact on the world around them. Having these values and modeling them to young children teaches a child that they can make a difference that matters.
Looking back at all of these reasons it is easy to see how donating to a campership or our facilities upgrades, or even donating money for new equipment can greatly improve and change the lives of children in our community.
Please help us support this crucial ministry by making a donation that changes lives. Donate today to Rockfish Camp and Retreat Center:
