Published: 07/10/2011 by Pat Jorge - SUGAR BAY

It’s a beautiful sunny day outside. It’s school holidays and your children wake up at 10 o’clock in the morning and head straight for the lounge, close the curtains to shut out the sun and turn on the TV. The only other sound in the room is the crunch of crisps or the rustle of that packet of sweets. You ask questions but they don’t hear you. It’s very frustrating as you want them to be outside and active, but it’s not easy to get them motivated to get out into the fresh air as their team mates are also inside watching TV.

We as parents need to encourage our children to participate in activities that will stimulate them and have fun at the same time. TV has altered what is regarded as normal childhood behaviour.

Why not send them to Summer Camp. This will change their whole outlook on life. By doing this they will learn that there are so many more different ways to stimulate their minds and most of all to have fun at the same time. They will meet other children from different walks in life and see how important it is to be outdoors in the fresh air. Counselors’ are there to encourage them to participate in activities of their choice and learn about team spirit. From field sports to water sports and activities to suit the creative mind. Summer Camp has all of this.

You will find that even the laziest or quietest child will come out of their shell. They will become self confident, motivated and active and want to go out there and let other children know that being a couch potato is not the way to go. There is so much more to life and by choosing to go to Summer camp will make them grow, not only in mind and body, but in their outlook on life in general.

Don’t forget that keeping children active is up to us as parents as well. Summer camp does all the groundwork and shows amazing results in children’s behaviour, but we as parents also need to keep encouraging our children the importance of the outdoors, eating healthy food and becoming team players.