5 ways the Y’s summer camps help kids reacclimate to in-person learning

Most schools reopen for in-person instruction this fall, so getting kids used to the rhythms of everyday life outside the home is crucial. As families begin to navigate what these adjustments might look like, the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago’s right there with them, delivering summer camp programming with today’s needs in mind.

Whether families send the campers in their lives to the Y’s In-Person Day Camps or Overnight Camps, they can count on a fun, enriching summertime experience that’ll empower their children to start strong once the new school year kicks in.

Here are 5 ways the Y’s summer camps help kids reacclimate to in-person learning:

1. Summer camp brings structure to a child’s day and helps foster a consistent daily routine. While our day and overnight camps each vary slightly, all Y camp offerings incorporate scheduled time for physical activity, skills building, lunch, play, and reflection. Once youth get used to organized activities in the summer, they’ll be even more ready for the classroom by fall.
    
2. At the Y’s summer camps, kids and teens form peer-to-peer relationships critical to their social-emotional development. For youth, one of the hardest challenges the pandemic brought forth was the loss of quality time with age-group peers. Our summer camps provide young people a safe, supervised space to make friendships and learn prosocial skills during their formative years.
    
3. Positive, healthy encounters with adults outside the home can contribute to success at school. When children find mentors they trust, they thrive both in and beyond the classroom. No matter what camp experience families choose, the Y’s counselors are passionate about furthering your child’s growth and are carefully selected to uphold our core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility.
    
4. Extracurricular exposure to literacy, STEAM, and critical thinking lessons helps prevent learning loss. Academic readiness is one of the Y’s mission anchors, and many of our camp offerings—particularly Specialty Camps tailored to specific subject-matter interests—incorporate these key competencies in a fun, exploratory setting.
    
5. Kids get a chance to practice COVID-safe behaviors before returning to the classroom. All of the Y’s camps follow CDC and local public health guidelines, organize campers in “pods” to avoid cross-contamination, and intentionally reinforce good habits such as mask-wearing, frequent hand washing, and social distancing.

No matter what summer has in store, the Y’s ready to prepare kids for an adventure-filled summer, a safe return to school, and a healthy and active life. Visit our website to sign up and learn more about all the different experiences our summer camps can offer. We look forward to spending the summer with your family!