As parents begin making plans for summer camps and activities, they quickly discover the options are endless. From archery and swimming to computer coding and cooking, children can explore virtually any interest during a summer camp program.
For long-term educational benefits and the development of life-long skills, arts-based camps are a great choice. Whether your child is a naturally gifted piano player or simply enjoys arts and crafts as a hobby, arts-based learning goes a long way toward helping children excel.
Here are 3 reasons to consider an arts camp this summer for your child:
1. Give them a confidence boost
Mastering a difficult piece of music, painting an ocean landscape or successfully delivering their lines in a play will give children a healthy dose of self-confidence. It’s not easy to step up on stage or display a drawing or sculpture. Learning the value of practicing, graciously accepting constructive critiques and then practicing some more will help them throughout their academic years and into the workplace.
2. Master the art of teamwork
Employers are clamoring for workers who have the “soft skills” of collaboration and coming together with co-workers to tackle a big project. Whether it’s a choir, orchestra or a theatrical production, everyone works as a team to put on the production. Start instilling those skills in your children now, and it will serve them well for years to come.
3. Develop an appreciation for the arts
Children don’t have to pursue a musical career or head off to art school to value what these programs bring to the community table. Simply appreciating what goes into creating a work of art, mastering the challenging piano piece or putting together a play turns children who love art into adults who love art.
“Everyone benefits from exposure to the arts – visual or performing,” says Steve Mandell, Head of School at Pinewood Preparatory School in Summerville. “Whether it’s a young person who is already involved or a kid who just loves to be creative, it’s beneficial.”
Pinewood offers eight, one-week art camps for children from 3 years old through fifth grade. Studio Kids Arts Camp – open to Pinewood and non-Pinewood students – offers small group instruction in visual arts, theater and music infused with technology, sports and educational enrichment. Camps are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with early morning and late afternoon care available for an additional fee. Older campers can take part in recreational activities, such as swimming, and campers are eligible to sign up for group swim lessons after camp.
The camp’s full-day options are one of the reasons it’s been so popular, says Mandell.
“Parents can bank on it all summer or they can plug in a week. For working folks, which is the core of our market, they can make sure their child is in a safe, educational environment,” he adds.
To learn more about Studio Kids Arts Camp at Pinewood, visit PinewoodPrep.com.
