Marin Mommies presents a guest article from the staff at Camp Edmo and Camp Edtech on the dangers of summer learning loss and what you can do about it.
Summer is coming and it can be hard to choose the right camp for your child. The choice often depends on the age of the camper and the types of activities. You can choose a general camp, an academic camp, a specialty camp, or a hybrid. If you have a younger child, the choice is up to the parent, of course. Why not choose a camp that provides balance, introduces them to a variety of activities and helps put them on a fun path to learning at an early age?
The Education Foundation states “Informal activities at camps or with families cultivate such things as reading for pleasure and experimenting out of sheer curiosity”.1 Additionally, studies by John Hopkins University have found all young people experience learning losses when they do not engage in educational activities during the summer. Researchers note that children across the socio-economic spectrum lose an average of over two months’ learning from the previous school year in math, science and reading. Cumulatively, from kindergarten through twelfth grade, this counts for three academic years lost!2
Still looking for fun kids' activities and camps for summer? There's still time to sign up for one of the many classes and programs offered by local parks and recreation departments and other organizations. Find your local recreation resource on our list below. We've also included links to the summer camps offered by the Marin YMCA and the Osher Jewish Community Center.
Guest contributor Barbara McVeigh shares some great resources for summer sailing and nautical fun for kids and families.
Are you looking for a fun, safe, and well organized summer camp in southern Marin? Check out the Tiburon Adventure Camp, run by the Belvedere Tiburon Child Care Center (BTCCC). This summer's Tiburon Adventure Camp offers the Sharks Program for children aged 4.5 to 8 years (incoming kindergartners to third graders) and Dolphin Program for children aged 2 to 5 (children do not have to be toilet trained to attend).