Summer Camp Will Save Us

3 Reasons Camp is a Vital Need in 2021

Loneliness has been on a steep rise since before this pandemic, especially in young people. According to a recent George Mason University study of youth 20 & younger, 1/3 self-identify as chronically lonely & socially isolated, and over 1/2 say their relationships exist only online.

While solitude & being alone can be healthy for us, a full year + social distancing can really accentuate feelings of separation, especially in children & adolescents. What are the long-term effects? How can we begin to shift our energy forward?

And how do we keep our kids healthy and safe, yet also ensure their growth, emotionally, physically & relationally?

We can start by making summer camp a priority this year…

I’m convinced that dance camp is a vital need for girls in 2022 for three important reasons (outlined below). Why is summer camp indispensable this year? Here are three unique ways camp helps us grow emotionally, physically & relationally into healthy, confident adults:

3 Reasons Camp is a Vital Need in 2022

1. Camp Provides a Forced Technology Detox

In the past year, we’ve all experienced a hostile takeover of our personal space by social media, texting, zoom & bad TV. Relief can be found when we unplug to check in with ourselves (and each other) at dance camp.

While technology has been crucial in allowing work, education, and connection to continue during COVID, we also know that too much screen time negatively impacts our mental health. Dance camp provides a safe space for girls to detox from virtual overload – a place we can be outside, move our bodies, jump in a lake, and connect face-to-face.

And camp is one of the only places where everyone is in the same technology-free “boat” for an extended period of time – since we aren’t glued to devices, we actually make authentic connections in real-life with each other 🙂

2. Camp Creates Belonging, Not Polarization

During an election year fraught with political tension, the added effects of COVID-19 (isolation, increased social media usage) only heightened our feelings of division and hostility.

But at camp, we embrace our common humanity. We develop lifelong friendships with girls who look different, think different and whose families may vote different. Through our shared connection, we see that our problems really are all the same.

Healthy, deep friendships inherently welcome and hold space for differences; learning how to make and maintain these relationships is both pivotal for development and challenging to see modeled in our current climate.

3. Camp Fosters Imagination and Free Play

Finally, in a world where most activity and social interaction is necessarily and increasingly structured for health and safety precautions, camp offers the gift of free play that is so crucial for development. Activities at camp are inherently playful: staff and campers alike get to dance, act, create, and step out of comfort zones.

While health and safety precautions are our #1 priority at camp, imagination and creativity also exist in abundance. It is what leads us to experience the simple delight that comes from jumping off a rope swing or singing into a hairbrush at the top of our lungs with new friends.

But at camp, we embrace our common humanity. We develop lifelong friendships with girls who look different, think different and whose families may vote different. Through our shared connection, we see that our problems really are all the same.

Healthy, deep friendships inherently welcome and hold space for differences; learning how to make and maintain these relationships is both pivotal for development and challenging to see modeled in our current climate.

This year more than any other, we’re starved for the social, emotional & physical benefits of camp. After safely operating in eight U.S. states in 2021, we can’t wait to be back together doing what we love in 2022 – our 20th anniversary summer! And while zero risk isn’t possible with covid, we feel confident in the multilayered safety approach (vaccination, testing, screening, masking, cohorting, cleaning, moving outside, etc.) recommended for residential camps by the American Camp Association, the CDC, and the facilities where we operate.

We hope to see your daughter for our 20th summer of dance, new friends & fun!

P.S. Early Bird Dance Camp Rates Through April 15th!

Studies show that a key to happiness is having something to look forward to…now you can brighten your daughter’s school year as she gets excited for camp. This is your best summer rate. Hurry – ADTC Early Bird registration ends April 15th!

REGISTER NOW