Camp Mentors Set Children Up for Success
At our Midwest summer camp outside of Chicago, we recognize that camp counselors’ impact on campers is a strong example of positive mentoring. Recent research shows that middle and high school students reporting a high level of mentoring are significantly more likely to avoid risky behaviors. And, for folks considering sending children to camp, youth who have attended summer camp are 28% less likely to drink, 56% less likely to use illicit drugs, and 28% less likely to engage in sexual behavior than are their non-camper peers.
Of course, this may be due to good parenting overall. After all, folks who send their kids to camp are already likely engaged and thoughtful parents, but the benefits of the positive camp mentoring relationship shouldn’t be overlooked.
There’s other good stuff too. Young folks with mentors are 84% more likely to have a high sense of self, and 36% more likely to say they take positive risks, such as starting a business, taking advanced placement courses, trying out for a sports team, or performing charitable work. This is especially important, because sense of self and positive risk-taking are in turn linked to lower incidences of potentially destructive behaviors and to overall positive mental health. It’s good to know that, in considering sending your child to camp, you’re putting them on a constructive path to success!
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