Ah, summer vacation — those endless lazy hot days of summer are almost upon us. Many children and parents rejoice, as we take a little bit off our plates to enjoy a little bit of extra free time. But as the saying goes, there are two sides to every coin. Sure, time off sounds wonderful until your ears are filled with ornery children saying, “Mom, Dad, I’m bored” and “There’s nothing to do!”

Luckily, there’s an easy solution! Summer camp. Whether it be day camp or sleep away camp, there are many reasons why sending your child to camp might be the best decision for your family this summer.

Need some convincing? Here are the top reasons you should consider sending your child to camp this summer.

1. Camp encourages kids to put down their electronics. When kids can’t bury their noses in the latest video games, Minecraft, Netflix binge show, or YouTube cat videos, they are able to socialize with peers. Unstructured and structured play time gives kids time to use those creative juices in their brains — all while having fun.
2. Camp gives kids plenty of exercise. According to the CDC, children and youth aged 5–17 should accumulate at least 60 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity daily. Exercise is woven into many of the activities that camps offer. And the best part is, kids are usually having so much fun that they don’t even notice that they’re exercising.
3. Camp builds leadership and teamwork. Camp is a microcosm of our society. The experiences a child has at camp teaches him or her work with peers for a common goal and to find his or her place and voice within a group setting.
4. Camp gets kids outdoors. Outdoor exploration and experiences serve to enriches a child’s perception of the world. It also encourages brain development because it stimulates all of the child’s senses. Being outside has also been proven to reduce stress levels and boost mood.
5. Camp gives parents peace of mind. At camp your child is supervised by trained professionals and teachers who ensure their safety. Rest assured you won’t have the slightest bit of guilt as you navigate through your day, knowing you can take care of work and responsibilities while the kids are in good hands, trying new things, and having a blast.
6. Camp promotes building healthy friendships. Making new friends is what camp is all about! From peers to counselors, your child will have an opportunity to meet new people from diverse backgrounds, schools, and age groups.
7. Camp fills the summer to fall learning gap. Studies have shown that during summer break, children can lose up to three months of what they’ve learned during the school year. Programmed campers benefit from keeping their brains active, acquiring new knowledge and skills and lessening the impact of summer learning loss.
8. Camp helps create memories that will last a lifetime. Many adults look back on their camp days as being some of the most fun times of their childhood. And adults who didn’t get the chance to go to camp might feel like they missed out on an important part of growing up. One thing is for certain, camp provides children with fun and new experiences that they will carry with them through life.