What my kid learned this summer

What I learned this summer

Dear parents, Summer camp is what today’s youth is missing. With their school days more scheduled than ever and electives and fine arts becoming scarcer, the summer is a perfect time to try something new, learn something fun, pick up a new hobby, meet new people, or just get outdoors. Camps make fantastic gifts. Our society focuses often on the “stuff” we collect through life, but it’s the memories that last. From personal experience my daughter has been gifted with multiple camp experiences and I have found it really makes her summer. At Bear Creek Stables, she has interacted with animals and learned the basic care needed for the gentle creatures that live there, and though I could have done with less “mom can we just buy a horse,” the stories of the jump or canter are priceless moments I will forever cherish. My daughter is creative and loving, making art camp something she really thrived at. The last two years she has enjoyed a week at Painting With a Twist where they have encouraged her confidence in different paint techniques and between you and me, I am really excited to see what camps are coming in 2020 at the new Inspired Minds Art Center in Buda. The paintings she created during her time at camp remain on her walls and her eyes light up with pride when she explains to people the time she took to create them. Last and perhaps my most recommended of camps comes from the YMCA at Hays’ Camp Moody. Rick and his staff really create an amazing experience for kids. They build teamwork and outdoor skills. Two years in a row my daughter has attended camp there, and two years in a row she has said it was her absolute favorite. Her first year we chose archery and she was nervous. She had dabbled with a bow but was not confidant in her skills at all. Throughout the week, I saw her go from shy and timid when approaching the shooting line to excited and confidant. They, of course, did other great group activities and explored the grounds which just made the entire week more interesting. By year two she wanted more, she wanted a week in nature, to learn about all the things Moody had to offer. She loved her Kids vs. Nature week. They hiked, canoed, did some archery and sling shots, built shelters and learned to tie knots. My little girl that loved princess dresses could not wait to take me on a hike during the parent event on the last day of camp. I had the pleasure of being shown camp by her and three friends, friends she would never have met had she not gone to this camp. They proudly navigated the woods and showed me their handiwork spread across the trails. They showed me berries, leaves and bugs they learned about. These skills may not be anything she needs later in life but what she can use is the knowledge that she can do anything she puts her mind to. What she can use is her socialization skills she learned from their team building and group activities. And she can use the confidence built by mounting a horse and making her way through the obstacle course. She can use the knowledge she gained from painting, which brings her peace and it’s something she loves to do. Could she have learned all these skills at school? Maybe, and I would hope so, but sadly, life moves too fast for our kids and school cannot be the only place we take them to learn things outside of books. Summer camp is the place we should be turning. So, I encourage you to sign your kid up to one or two. What’s the worst that can happen? If they decide that the activity isn’t for them, it’s one week and they tried. They may have met a new friend. They may have learned one new skill and I can promise you it’s worth it. Sincerely, Jannette Padier

Survey Says: Summer Camp has positive lasting effects

96% Camp helped me make new friends.

93% Camp helped me get to know kids who are different than me.

92% The people at camp helped me feel good about myself.

74% At camp, I did things I was afraid to do at first.

70% My child gained self confidence at camp.

69% My child remains in contact with friends made at camp.

63% My child continues to participate in some of the new activities he or she learned at camp

95% Being part of a group working toward a common goal had a positive effect on me.

84% Camp surrounds me with people with high standards.

83% Being part of a unified camp community changed me personally for the better

Statistics above are from the 2019 ACA Youth Outcomes Study. ACA's Reach: 2,400 ACA-accredited camps, employing more than 320,000+ camp staff and serving over 7.2 million children.

2020 2020

Swimming weekly, field trips and guest performers highlight all of our camps!

From the Stars in the

Sky to the Fish in the Sea MAY 26 TH -29 TH (CLOSED MONDAY, MAY 25TH)

It’s hot out there! Let’s cool down and dive into summer with our ocean friends. Anyone for a game of sharks and minnows?

SCOUTING THE WILDERNESS WEEK

JUNE 1 ST -5 TH

It’s in our NATURE to be outside! Our campers will explore the great outdoors, observe fish and wildlife (Glass Bottom Boats) and learn hands-on ways to enjoy the natural world. Time for s’more camping. WORK IT OUT!

JUNE 8 TH - 12 TH

“You are what you eat, Your head down to your feet.”-Dr. Seuss. Stay fit and have fun is our motto, so let’s play games, get moving, and play with our food!

Wide World of Sports JUNE 15 TH - 19 TH

Teamwork makes the dream work. Join us this week as we give it our all on the court or in the stands! Pick a game, grab a ball, and let’s hustle!

PARTY ANIMALS

JUNE 22 ND -26 TH

If you love creepy crawlies or feathers in flight, this camp is for you! Join us to explore the 6 and 8-legged creatures that crawl the earth or our fine feathered friends that soar the skies.

America,The Beautiful JUNE 29 TH -JULY 2 ND (CLOSED FRIDAY, JULY 3RD)

Wear your red, white, and blue this week in celebration and join our patriotic party filled with old fashioned fun. Escape the heat and have some summer fun as we honor our great nation! READY, SET, S.T.E.A.M

JULY 6 TH -10 TH

Test tubes to technology! Mad science experiments and Lego designs dominate this creative week as we expand our minds and spark our curiosity. Campers will create, envision, and design tomorrow’s great inventions.

LONE STAR

STATE JULY 13 TH -17 TH

Everything is bigger in Texas! Put on your boots and 10-gallon hats as we celebrate our great state. Lasso your friends and let’s do some Boot-Scootin’ this week!

Ninja Warrior JULY 20 TH -24 TH

Accept the challenge and team up for some amazing obstacle courses, radical relays, and other gladiator games.

Art to Gogh

JULY 27 TH -31 ST

We are sculpting out a week of fun, canvasing the world of art. Draw, paint, sculpt a masterpiece. An art fair may even get you some Monet.

Spy Kids

AUGUST 3 RD -7 TH

Shhhhhh…Can you keep a secret? Mysteries lurk around every corner and our super sleuths are here to solve them. Grab your magnifying glass and put on your Sherlock Holmes caps as we search for clues to solve our mystery. Th r ou gh th e

Decad es

AUGUST 10 TH -13 TH (CLOSED FRIDAY, AUG. 14TH)

Travel through the decades with us as we dance, dress, and explore what makes our history unique. Poodle skirts and flannel shirts? Pet rocks and neon socks? We’ll celebrate the end of summer in one last Blast to the Past!

Enroll early! Space is limited!

(512) 405-3700 • 6022 McNaughton, Kyle, TX (in Plum Creek) • www.rockinghorseacademy.com