New Jersey Family: Big Book of Camps 2022

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The Gift of Camp During The

PANDEMIC ©ISTOCKPHOTO.COM / PEOPLEIMAGES

KIDS AND TEENS ARE MORE ANXIOUS THAN EVER IN THE ERA OF COVID. HERE’S HOW CAMP CAN HELP.

F

By JESS MICHAELS

or generations, summer camp has been giving children the opportunity to form strong friendships, gain confidence by trying new things and learn how to do things without the help of mom and dad. Nothing has changed at camp but when COVID disrupted our lives, the importance of summer camp and what camp can do for children became more apparent than ever. Davina Angus, executive director of the American Camp Association, NY and NJ, says camp has always been a place where children make true connections, gain independence and

BIG BOOK OF CAMPS 2022 | NEW JERSEY FAMILY

feel like part of a community. “COVID has just underscored all that camp has to offer children and has shown so many people who didn’t necessarily understand camp what the real value of the experience can be.”

A Different Kind of Learning

Camp is a different environment than school. Kids learn skills that are hard to practice at school but happen easily at camp. “School is about learning subject matter. Camp is about kids growing socially and a place where no one is graded. It’s

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