Girl
Scouts are celebrating the great outdoors this week! Emily Smith, chief marketing officer for Girl Scouts of Southern Nevada, has penned a
column for Parents Guide of Las Vegas titled “The Lasting Benefits of Summer
Camp”.
In
the article, Smith counts down four benefits kids get out of summer camp. From the Parent’s Guide of Las Vegas:
1. The Road to Independence Camp is a safe place for kids to learn responsibility as they are empowered to take care of themselves. Camp counselors provide structure and guidance, but kids at camp are responsible for getting themselves up and ready for the day, making their beds, keeping track of their personal belongings, and finding their way to and from the dining hall.
2. The Great Outdoors Prevails to Electronic “Time Suckers” Camp is a perfect way to get kids outside and active! With so many inside distractions, it can be hard to pull kids away from their cell phones and Wii’s long enough to see the sun. At camp, kids trade their button pushing and joystick maneuvering for rock climbing, mountain biking, ropes course challenges and more!
3. There’s a Leader in Every Kid The camp setting is a small community unlike any other. The unfamiliar setting, new people, and shortened time together help kids make friends and bond. As kids make choices and direct projects, their leadership instincts progress. They learn to get along with others and become self-reliant without parents there to save the day.
4. I Can Do Anything! Camp, the ultimate self-esteem boost For many kids, camp is their first time away from mom, dad, and their extended family. This can be a huge boost to their self-esteem. Summer camp is a place where children can express themselves, discover their own abilities and mature through experiences that challenge them to discover resilience and good decision-making.
In
May of this year, Girl Scouts in Nevada rocked Hoover Dam. Rock the Dam
celebrated Girl Scouting with the exchange of S.W.A.P.S., a sing-a-long and
bridging fun with a walk across Hoover Dam. Check out the Girl Scouts of Southern Nevada’s Facebook Wall for more pictures from Rock the Dam! Girl
Scouts of Southern Nevada is the preeminent leadership development organization
for girls – all girls – where, in an accepting and nurturing environment, girls
build character and life skills for success in the real world.