Eastern Carolina Parent - April 2009 - (Page 6) Families In Focus This is the time of year when literature galore is being distributed regarding the many camp opportunities for young people in the area. Some parents may be surprised to know that summer camps for children are still a popular way to wile away those dog days of summer. According to Dr. Karla Henderson from North Carolina State University, more than 10 million U.S. children annually attend day or resident (sleep-over) camps sponsored by churches, not-for-profit youth agencies, and independent operators. Our children love perusing the colorful pamphlets, ‘oohing’ and ‘aahing’ at the beautiful scenery depicted, and the wide range of fun activities available. Camping is a terrific way to appreciate nature, and North Carolina has so many beautiful sights to soak in. Besides recon- Family Camping: A Different Kind of Summer Camp necting with Mother Nature, children can learn important life lessons during summer camp. In 2006, Henderson and her research associates reported in the Journal of Family Issues, that children benefit personally and socially from their camp experiences. Campers make gains in building independence, making friends, forming positive identities, and strengthening peer relationships. In addition, even after six months, post-camp follow ups showed that children maintained the gains they made related to leadership skill development. As research has indicated, there are valuable benefits that children can gain from attending camp. Children enjoy spending Byung Lee’s Tae Kwon Do King Tiger Academy is Proud to Host 120 Fire Tower Rd. Tel. 252-355-3033 Daily Activities include: Tae Kwon Do class, Arts and Crafts, Korean Language, Science Fair, Cultural Explorations, Special Guests, Swimming, Field Trips, and more! Early Bird Special - Register by April 15, 2009 $10 off each week and 1 free T-shirt with this AD and Register 9 or more weeks: 1 free week and 1 free uniform Register 7 or more weeks: Half week free and 1 free uniform www.kingtigertkdgreenville.com Camps begin the week of June 10th between 9:00-4:00 with early drop off and late pick-up options. please contact Texas Roadhouse for information about our incentive programs. We offer certificates, bookmarks and FREE kid’s meals as well as fundraising opportunities. Call and ask for Kim. Summer Camp Directors 720 SW Greenville Blvd. Monday-Thursday 4:00-10:00 Friday 4:00-11:00 Saturday 11:00-11:00 Sunday 11:00-10:00 Eastern Carolina Parent : April 2009 252-353-7427 Bring in this ad and your certificate of perfect attendance or honor roll/principal’s list from the 3rd 9 weeks of 2008-2009 school year and receive a w/purchase of an adult entree FREE KIDS MEAL concentrated time with their peers and trying out their independence, away from Mom and Dad’s watchful eye. However, there is also a wealth of things children can gain from family camping experiences. We would like to dedicate the remainder of the column to the ways we, as parents, can make family camping a successful alternative or supplement to children’s individual camp experiences. While some people may shy away from the thought of taking their children into the great outdoors where there is no Disney Channel, no electrical outlets, and no indoor plumbing, our family looks forward to the adventure. Before completely ruling out family camping as a possibility, consider the idea of spending time with your children fishing, swimming next to a waterfall, lounging in a canoe, or singing around the campfire all experiences our family has had while camping over the years. One of the keys to a successful camping trip is to plan and be prepared. North Carolina hosts wonderful campgrounds, many of which book up quickly. Call and reserve a site as far in advance as possible. To find out what our state has to offer, visit www.campingnc.com. This site has links to camping in our national forests, white water adventures, coastal regions, mountain camping, and piedmont campgrounds. Phoning ahead may also enable you to select the campsite of your choice. Many campgrounds have online maps or representatives who will explain the lay of the land www.easterncarolinaparent.com http://www.kingtigertkdgreenville.com http://www.easterncarolinaparent.com
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