In an age where our eight year old kids know more about technology than some Fortune 500 CEO’s, it is apparent that children are “growing up” at a rate faster than anytime before. There’s no doubt parents everywhere find themselves frantically Googling terminology, mathematical equations, and whatever these dangling participles are to save face when “helping” their kids with homework every evening. Did I ever learn this?!? I thought I did these projects in college! What exactly is the difference between kinetic and potential energy again? It’s mind blowing to look on as a fourth grader puts together an Excel spreadsheet with the expertise of a veteran accountant.
While it is encouraging to know that if this whole 7th grade thing doesn’t work out, a kid can take over in the accounts payable department at my company, you have to wonder if all of this stuff might be also turning our kids into far too serious people much too fast. Whatever happened to good old fashioned fun? At Camp Starlight fun is something that we still hold as important, vital, and a key principle to our summer program.
When our campers exit the buses on opening day, they leave behind the long days of sitting in desks, staring at computer screens, and daydreaming through the windows 
about the great outdoors. They know the days ahead will be full of a glorious thing called fun! Starlight’s daily program areas are specifically designed for our campers to discover new hobbies, sports, and talent and give them the opportunity to improve and enjoy activities with which they are already familiar. Every area is open for exploration! Parents are always surprised to hear that their sports obsessed sons have wowed the Starlight community with amazing performances in their division’s theater production. They are jumping for joy when they check the daily photos and find their “shy, quiet” child decked out in some crazy get-up, hands in the air, dancing with 15 of their nearest and dearest. We are right there with them, reveling in the excitement of kids just being kids.
The power of play and the idea that it is ok to let loose and have fun has an incredibly positive impact on kids. Camp Starlight is dedicated to providing our campers with the constant opportunity to enjoy being a kid. Every night our campers enter a world of game shows, obstacle courses, mad science labs, and more. And head to sleep each might dreaming of what the next day may bring. Whether producing an original film in Video, waterskiing around the lake, perfecting a magic trick, or dribbling a basketball for the first time, they can and will do it! So here’s to counting down to 2013 bringing another summer jam packed with F-U-N!!!
Lindsay
Tags: Benefits of Summer Camp, camp activities, camp fun, Camp Starlight, sleepaway camp, summer camp, value of summer camp
