6 Lasting Benefits of Summer Camp in 2020

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This article is sponsored by Headfirst Summer Camp. We hope you enjoy learning about their summer program!

When you think about summer camp, what comes to mind? For most of us, the benefits of summer camp include playing outside, making new friends, and enjoying a break from school. This summer might look a bit different, but what if your child could experience all the joys of summer camp while staying safe and learning powerful life skills such as how to overcome challenges, achieve goals, even emotional mastery? That’s where Headfirst Summer Camps comes in to play!

Since 1996, Safety First

Headfirst restructured its 2020 programming to focus on creating the safest experience possible for all campers, families, and staff. They are instituting purposeful safety measures that align with and exceed CDC recommendations including daily temperature screening, maintaining small, consistent groups, sanitizing frequently, and social distancing. In addition, staff members are required to wear masks at all times.

Social-Emotional Learning: The Headfirst Approach

Headfirst is more than just a camp. Their camp curriculum is written by experienced educators and promotes social-emotional learning, emphasizing empathy, setting and achieving goals, and the ability to manage emotions and make responsible decisions. Each week, Headfirst immerses its campers with a carefully crafted theme-based story, giving them a unique way to understand and solve different types of challenges. Campers learn through fun, hands-on projects and interactive experiences—without even realizing they’re being taught. 

Strengthening Developmental Skills

Through their story-centered programming, Headfirst aims to strengthen six core developmental skills, which they call their Super Six:

  • Optimism 
  • Resiliency
  • Hope & Goal setting
  • Emotional Mastery
  • Self-efficacy 
  • Grit & Determination 

Headfirst staff use research-based language to relay these concepts to kids in age-specific ways. This technique ensures that the lessons will stick with campers far beyond the summer.

Headfirst encourages teambuilding.

In a nod to their sports-based roots, the Headfirst culture includes tons of fun and team-building traditions, such as “athlete eye black” with positive messages, Icees parties (which must be earned by working together), and wristbands highlighting the Super 6 Skill focus of the week. Campers earn these bands and those who attend multiple weeks of camp wear their collection of wristbands proudly!

Headfirst helps kids discover unique interests.

Headfirst’s programming allows campers to explore a wide range of subjects from Sports to STEM, Creative Arts, Music, and more. With unique weekly themes such as Mythical Creatures, Global Gastronomy, Architecture, Space, Superheroes, and Claymation, campers learn all about interesting topics that they might not see in school, broadening their horizons.

Headfirst makes summer fun easy for parents.

Headfirst’s accommodations and customer service for families can’t be beat. With five locations running in the DC area including two new campuses this summer—at Holy Child in Potomac and Seven Locks Elementary in Bethesdathey’re certainly convenient. Headfirst has also partnered with Flex Academies to provide best-in-class afternoon extended day this summer. With easy carpool, extended care, as well as the option to pre-order lunches, Headfirst helps parents enjoy the summer, too.

Can’t make it to the on-site camp? Headfirst will bring camp to your HOME, virtually!

New this year is Headfirst AT HOME, Headfirst’s live and interactive online camp experience that brings the magic of Headfirst summer camp to your living room, kitchen, backyard, and beyond! Weekly sessions are available through July for ages 3-10 and include 45-60 minutes a day of non-stop art and STEM activities, plus tons of fun!

Learn more about Headfirst summer camps!

Readers of the DC Moms Blog receive a special discount of 10% with the codeDCMOMS10”! For more information on Headfirst’s programs, the benefits of summer camp, or to enroll, please visit www.headfirstcamps.com

Headfirst Camp Locations: