Adventure Camp as a Way to Raise Enthusiastic and Empowered Kids

How do you empower kids? As a parent, I am always looking for ways to raise enthusiastic and empowered kids. I read parenting books and brainstorm with friends about different techniques to instill confidence in my children and help them gain the courage and strength to successfully surmount whatever curve balls are hurled at them through life. Fortunately, I don’t have to teach all the lessons on my own. Summer adventure camp is an excellent place to foster these character traits in kids.  

Empower your child with summer adventure camp

Summer adventure camp will positively empower your child. There is one caveat, though. The summer adventure camp needs to be one that embraces “Challenge by Choice,” an important principle in adventure-based programs. It’s the concept that each person has their own comfort zone and taking a risk to step out that comfort zone for one child might be intimidating, while for another child it might be a piece-of-cake. The child is then empowered to decide if he/she will embark upon the challenge or not.

“Challenge by choice is about making sure your kids have the skills they need to face the challenge at hand and encouraging them to push their boundaries, but ultimately letting them decide how far to stretch,” said Emily Moeschler, marketing manager at Avid4 Adventure.

“Challenge by Choice” programs

If you are looking for ways to empower your children, consider registering them for a summer adventure camp. When researching your options, ask the camp director how the programs are developed and what type of approach is taken with campers of all different ability levels. Listen for answers such as these:

• “We use a ‘Challenge by Choice’ philosophy and kids of all stages of development – from the non-athletic to the uber athletic kids – are encouraged to progress at their own level”
• “We have different options for kids of all abilities”
• “Our staff is trained to work with kids at all levels”

During the conversation, ask specific questions to know if this is the right camp for your child. For example, ask how they teach mountain biking to beginner and advanced riders. Are all the campers in one group? Are there different instructors for each level? Is there different terrain for each level? As a parent, you want to make sure your child is not bored or, on the flip side, that they are not intimidated. And, most importantly, you want to find a camp that will instill confidence in your child and empower them to grow on their own terms.

Avid4 Adventure’s camp are specifically designed to empower children of all ages and abilities. To learn more about the “Challenge by Choice” adventure camp philosophy and building confidence through positive risk taking, read our recent blog post.

If you are considering one of Avid4 Adventure’s summer adventure camps, register by Feb. 29, 2016, so you don’t miss out on Early Bird savings!

About the Author: Alexandre Garrett is immersed in the tween and teen years with her four children, ages 11, 12, 13 and 14, and is committed to raising them in an active, outdoor lifestyle in Colorado. She and her family connect by spending time skiing, hiking and biking together. As an Avid4 Adventure mom and a new contributor to the Avid4Adventure website, she loves to share thoughts and information about the confidence-building and empowering aspects of outdoor adventures. In addition to supporting her kids’ activities (soccer, volleyball, lacrosse and hockey), she runs her own marketing consulting business, Pitch110.

Tagged: Avid4 Adventure Outdoor Adventure Camp, benefits of outdoor activities, camp preparation, getting kids outside, kids outdoor activities, summer camp