Desi Today Magazine
SUMMER is quickly approaching, and parents are starting to fill their calendars with vacations and social commitments. It’s also a time when parents may struggle to find short-term childcare for their kids – or just want to keep their children active and limit screen time in the summer.
The City of Surrey offers over 150 summer camps ranging from cooking and robotics, to art and sports – all designed to expand children’s interests, while supporting parents over the summer break.
In addition to keeping children healthy and active, here are the top five reasons to send your child to camp this summer:
Developing independence
Camps provide the perfect atmosphere to foster self-development. Under the guidance of camp staff, children are encouraged to understand boundaries and develop critical thinking, in order to make safe decisions. Although summer camps are developed for your child’s specific age group, there are plenty of ways your child will be challenged to grow, make decisions for themselves, and learn though experience.
Learning leadership skills
Camps are an excellent place to inspire your child’s natural skills and abilities and improve on areas that will develop their confidence, with the support from positive peers and camp staff. Sports camps are a great way to improve cooperation, teamwork, and problem-solving skills.
Developing new interests and hobbies
Camps are a great way for children to explore new activities and programs that could turn into lifelong passions. Whether your child is into sports, nature, science, arts or cooking, camps are a great way to try something new and develop new hobbies.
Exposure to diversity
Camp relationships can last a lifetime! Camps can connect kids who wouldn’t normally meet though sports clubs or school catchments. They are a great way for your child to meet new friends, learn about different cultures and expand their social circle. Navigating new relationships teaches children social confidence – a great skill to take back to school in September!
Building resilience
By increasing independence, building leadership skills, and discovering new interests and hobbies, your child will develop skills that will help them grow into a responsible young adult. Camps empower children to make their own decisions and build the confidence it takes to handle change effectively and adapt to different situations. Resilience is an excellent lifelong skill that your child will benefit from once school is back in September, and beyond.
About City of Surrey summer day camps
Registration opens online Sunday, April 14 at 9 p.m. for the City of Surrey’s fun and affordable summer day camps, designed to keep children and teens, ages three to 18, active and engaged over the summer break. Parents have the option to pay 50% of the cost at the time of registration and the remaining balance on the first day of camp. Early registration is recommended as day camps fill up fast.
These week-long camps are tax deductible as a childcare expense.
Extended camp hours are available through the Camp Connections program for parents who need care before and after camp.
For more information, visit surrey.ca/daycamps, or call 604-501-5100.
