Chess is all about strategy, and as advanced as this game may seem, individuals of all ages can have fun learning how to play and competing against each other. In fact, chess is so popular that an estimated 70% of the adult population has played at some point in their lives. And most of them had their introduction to the game as children.

Whether your child loves to play chess, is interested in the game, or wants to learn a new skill this summer, chess camp can be the perfect place for them. Let’s take a closer look at some of the other benefits kids can experience from learning chess.

Benefits of Chess for Youth Development

Chess, more so than other games, can positively affect a child’s development by challenging their mind and helping teach them new, transferable skills. Here are just a few of the benefits of chess your child may experience after a summer at chess camp.

Improve Problem-Solving Skills

The game of chess is ultimately about problem-solving and foresight. As kids learn the rules of the game and apply them during matches, they enhance what Healthline describes as fluid intelligence. This is the ability to consider new kinds of problems and use reasoning to solve them as they arise.

Kids can also utilize these problem-solving skills in the classroom as they work to tackle changing variables in different subjects.

Enhances Reading and Math Abilities

Time and time again, chess has also been proven to help kids improve their reading and math comprehension. The Parents Network highlighted a 1996 study as a prime example of this, explaining that students who played chess scored approximately 10 percentage points higher on reading than their peers who didn’t. A similar study a year later also found that students who played chess scored 6.4 points higher on math tests than students who did not play chess.

These abilities translate directly into the classroom where improved reading and math skills can directly benefit a child’s grades.

Boosts Concentration and Memory

Chess requires children to be mentally sharp as they watch the game unfold and plot their next moves. Concentration and memory go hand in hand, and in order to become strategic players, kids must learn how to focus on the game completely. This naturally improves their concentration and memorization abilities. Just as they may visualize the board during a match, kids can also visualize complex math problems at school. Similarly, the improved concentration that is required to remember past games and strategies can help kids better retain information taught in the classroom.

Betters Patience

A chess match typically lasts anywhere from 10 to 60 minutes, but they have been known to span upwards of six hours or more among professionals. All of this is to say that, while speed chess does exist, it doesn’t have a reputation for being a quick game. When playing chess, kids learn the value of being patient as they take their time to make important moves. This skill can also help them in their daily lives, whether it’s waiting in line for their turn or having to sit patiently in class as others finish up a test.

Fosters Creativity and Critical Thinking

You may not consider chess to be the most creative game, but it does help foster originality. Whitby explained that to defeat an opponent, a chess player must become a creative thinker. Since each match is different, they will need to imagine what will happen with each possible move on the board and come up with new, creative strategies in the moment. This requires the perfect combination of creativity and critical thinking that can also help kids in real-world scenarios.

Consider Chess Camp For Your Child

Summer at Buckingham Browne & Nichols Schools offers students of all ages an opportunity to explore academic pursuits and passions, including chess, through specialized summer camp programs.

Our Chess Camp is offered for students in grades 4 through 7 who are interested in learning how to play this strategic game or hone their existing skills. Three-week sessions are broken down by skill level, and each is taught by an experienced Chess Master and United States Chess League member. This camp is sure to help your child improve their chess knowledge and capabilities along with sharpening these other transferable skills all while making new friends! Contact our team today to learn more about our chess summer camp programs for children of all ages.

For kids and teens, the benefits of attending summer camp are endless. There’s the opportunity to spend hours outdoors exploring novel passions, meet new people, and learn practical skills along the way. And while every summer camp is special, if your child is interested in the sciences, technology, engineering, and/or math, a STEM program may be even more beneficial for them during the long break.

Let’s explore in more detail some of the benefits of sending your child to a STEM summer camp this year.

1. Independent Exploration

One of the benefits of STEM education during the summer is that students can take ownership of topics they are interested in. According to The National Inventors Hall of Fame, STEM programs encourage student-centered learning, which gives kids the agency and freedom to learn on their own terms about subjects they’re passionate about. 

As campers learn, they also realize that there’s no one correct way to solve a problem. This helps them adopt creative mindsets and try new things that may be outside their comfort zone (which are all skills that can also help them during the school year).

2. Learn Basic and Contemporary Skills

Of course, the focus of a STEM summer program is to teach kids about science, technology, engineering, and math through fun activities and hands-on lessons. Campers apply everything they learn as they work together or independently to solve problems and real-life scenarios. And while these are broad skills, campers can also explore niche subjects, such as computer coding, in more detail during these sessions.

At the same time, they’re also developing important skills that are relevant to everyday life, such as communication, critical thinking, and analytical problem-solving. These skills are something that will help campers throughout their life, at school, and even in a future career.

3. Avoid the Summer Brain Drain

Another benefit of STEM summer programs is that they can help keep your child’s mind active during the months they aren’t in school. Unfortunately, it can be easy for kids to forget some of what they learned in school over the summer break if they’re not being mentally stimulated. Today explained that STEM programs are designed to be engaging and creative, and prompt your student’s minds to stay active and excited about learning into the summer.

Campers continue to exercise their problem-solving skills at these camps, which can help make the back-to-school transition much easier.

4. Understand the Value of Innovation

Innovation is emphasized in STEM summer camps. And the ability to think critically and challenge standards is the basis of innovation, according to the National Inventors Hall of Fame. For kids, this mindset helps them learn from a young age that they have the potential to change the world and make an impact through their actions and careers. In the grand scheme of things, this also helps kids understand that the movers and shakers in the world are important for advancing communities.

Whether it’s through a hands-on project or a guest speaker who works in STEM, campers learn the value of innovation that can stick with them for life.

5. Build Confidence

Yet another benefit of STEM education is that it helps kids build confidence. While this is also true of summer camp in general, a focus on the sciences and math gives campers confidence through both tangible and intangible skills. For example, campers work with their hands and their mind to complete projects and solve problems. This balance of skills is easily transferable to the classroom.

Additionally, STEM summer camps also give students of all backgrounds an introduction to engineering and science who may not explore these subjects in school. It’s no secret that STEM is still a male-dominated field. A specialized summer camp helps boys and girls explore their passion for STEM and empowers them to continue with their education even after the summer ends.

6. Consider Different Careers

STEM summer camp can also be the first time students are introduced to the many different career paths in the field. Kids may associate STEM with scientists, astronauts, and mathematicians, but there are truly endless opportunities in the field to explore.

Many summer camps encourage role play that allows kids to play the part of a STEM professional as they develop a computer program or build their own rocket. Through this play, they learn about different STEM careers and how jobs can range from everything from video game developers to mechanical engineers and everything in between.

7. Enhance Collaboration

While campers are in charge of their own path at STEM summer camp, they are always working with others along the way. A vital point of STEM education is collaboration, and at camp, kids work with teams to overcome obstacles and solve problems. By the end of the summer, they learn that their skills can be complemented by those of others and the value of teamwork. On the same note, kids also work to develop their communication and leadership skills in a safe, fun environment.

Consider STEM Summer Camp This Year

Summer at Buckingham Browne & Nichols Schools offers students of all ages an opportunity to learn more about coding, math, podcasts, and more through specialized summer camp programs.

Our Specialty Camps for students in grades 5 through 12 are dedicated to a specific academically inspired activity for a week of focused learning with some of our own BB&N faculty. Summer camp is incredibly engaging, as we use interactive and fun games to help students learn about STEM while making new friends!

Contact our team today to learn more about our summer camp programs for children of all ages.

Only a few video games stand the test of time and capture players year after year, and Minecraft is one of them. Since the game’s release over a decade ago, Minecraft has experienced steady growth and sales officially topped 200 million last year with an estimated 126 players a month.

The unique game allows players to create their worlds out of building blocks either by themselves or with friends. And while the concept seems simple at its core, the game can also be used in the classroom to help kids of all ages learn important skills. Here are a few of the educational benefits of Minecraft that your kids can experience this year at summer camp.

Computer Programming Skills

Perhaps one of the most tangible benefits of Minecraft is that it introduces children as young as 10 to computer programming. Younger children are technology natives, meaning they’re incredibly comfortable using computers. However, it can still be difficult to keep them engaged in learning new technology skills.

The experts at Tech.co explained that Minecraft not only gets kids to try coding, but gamifies it so they continue to learn and even master this new, and often advanced skill. Kids become comfortable building worlds in Minecraft with the available resources, but can also take things a step further and make changes (known as modifications) to the game. As kids learn simple coding, they can give their characters, objects, and landscapes unique characteristics that make their landscapes one-of-a-kind.

For many kids, Minecraft is their first introduction to computer programming and coding. As they create their own world, they can imagine and see firsthand how their custom mods improve or change the game, which can inspire them to be more focused and engaged with these skills in general.

Strategic Thinking & Problem Solving

Minecraft is an incredibly engaging and fun game so many times kids don’t even realize the lessons they’re learning while they play. Other skills kids can learn through the video game are strategic thinking and problem-solving.

Minecraft requires players to overcome challenges and use their creativity to build their own world. The sandbox game is truly dynamic, and kids must strategically choose between different tools to reach their goal. There’s no one right way to do things in Minecraft, and players must use their experience, knowledge, and creativity to create their ideal world, no matter what that looks like.

Systems Thinking

As kids advance through school, they gain a better understanding of how everything they’ve learned fits together in real life. For instance, they can see how at a grocery store their math and language skills are of the utmost importance as they purchase food that fits in their budget and check out. Another benefit of Minecraft is that it helps players learn how all pieces of the game can fit or can be fitted together.

Microsoft Educator Center explained that players can see how their actions fit into the bigger picture, not just the individual. Kids use blocks and tools to create entire landscapes and worlds and they can see how making one choice can influence many others further down the line. Systems thinking can also help children understand how their actions in life and school can affect their surroundings and the bigger picture.

Building Empathy

How can a virtual game connect us? The Journal reported that many teachers have observed that playing Minecraft during class positively impacts their students’ decision-making and communication skills. While the video game can be played individually, having kids work together to build worlds and gather resources can help them learn the value of teamwork and they can start to build empathy skills.

As students acquire and effectively apply the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to play Minecraft, they also learn how to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, and show empathy for others. Educators can use Minecraft as a team-building activity for students to help teach their peers new skills. Having a common interest can also help kids establish and maintain positive relationships at school and make responsible decisions while keeping other children’s emotions in mind.

Learning Flexibility

Flexibility and adaptability can be skills that are hard for children (and even adults for that matter) to comprehend. Students can often feel like they’ve failed when something goes wrong or don’t know how to stop a minor problem from snowballing into a larger issue.

As we said, there’s no right or wrong way to play Minecraft. Players can choose to build their own worlds, complete challenges, or participate in mini-games, but at the end of the day, it’s an open-ended game. There’s no pressure to win or lose and kids can experiment with all kinds of building styles along the way. They learn to be flexible, patient, and adaptable as they work in the Minecraft universe.

Minecraft at Summer Camp

Summer camps are a great way to ensure your child has a fun summer diving into their favorite subjects while avoiding brain drain. Summer at Buckingham Browne & Nichols Schools offers students of all ages an opportunity to learn more about coding, math, and more. 

Our Specialty Camps for students in grades 5 through 12 are dedicated to a specific academically inspired activity for a week of focused learning with some of our own BB&N faculty. Summer camp is incredibly engaging, as we use interactive and fun games to help students learn while making new friends! We even offer a Minecraft camp!

Contact our team today to learn more about our summer camp programs for children of all ages.

Browsing summer camp programs is an exciting time for both parents and children. Families can take virtual tours, review programs, and see what works best for the child. When it’s time to attend summer camp, kids will build social skills, uncover new strengths, and step out of their comfort zone to gain a better sense of who they are. Summer camp is truly a remarkable growing experience. 

Academic summer camps have been increasing in popularity among parents, kids and teenagers. Not only do academic programs provide campers with a unique opportunity to learn in a fun way, but they can choose which subjects they want to focus on. Let’s take a look at some benefits of an academic summer camp along with some of the programs we offer at Summer@BB&N.

Benefits of an Academic Summer Camp

Project Based Learning

Staying in the same routine every day can be challenging for anyone, especially children. Being in the same setting can feel monotonous, often leading to a loss of concentration. At an academic summer camp most learning is hands-on, meaning, kids are often working on projects rather than listening to a lecture. This keeps kids engaged with the task at hand and they have more energy to focus. Oftentimes, kids will be working with other like-minded campers so they can learn from one another.

Role Models + Industry Leaders

While teachers are excellent role models and provide a wealth of knowledge, academic summer camp programs are also led by industry experts. Kids are learning from experts in each field which gives both campers and parents peace of mind. At Summer@BB&N, each academic program is taught by an BB&N faculty member who has years of experience.

Focus on Particular Programs

One of the major benefits of an academic summer camp is the ability to hone in on very specific interests. Campers aren’t expected to learn math, science and english, rather, they can choose what they want to learn more about. Choosing one particular subject to focus on will put them ahead in school, or they could realize the subject they wanted to delve into just isn’t for them. An academic summer camp program gives campers the opportunity to learn about themselves.

About Our Academic Summer Camp Programs

At Summer@BB&N, we offer campers a variety of academic enrichment camp opportunity. This allows students the ability to learn while having fun at the same time! Contact our team today to learn more about our summer camp programs for children of all ages.

Summer camp is an experience like no other! Kids at both day and overnight summer camps are able to engage in activities they may not have been introduced to at home. From learning sports and making lifelong friendships, summer camp provides children with an immense amount of opportunities for self growth. Let’s explore some other ways summer camp aids in personal development.

Campers Become More Resilient

From overcoming a fear of heights or learning to swim for the first time, campers are able to develop a range of coping mechanisms to help bolster their confidence. Complex challenges like learning to make new friends, learning how to ask for help and understanding time management will also arise at camp but over time kids learn how to deal with these situations. Personal resiliency by campers allows them to develop more meaningful relationships later on in their lives.

Children Understand Teamwork

Many activities and sports at camp include working toward a common goal as a team. Kids begin to feel a sense of belonging and acceptance as they work with other campers on group projects. They’ll have an understanding of their strengths and where that fits into the teamwork as well as how to give and take directions.

Cutting Down Screen Time

Many summer camps are all about unplugging from technology and as a result, kids are able to soak in their surroundings and disconnect from social media. Along with this, children can have conversations without being distracted by the internet. When kids are finished with camp, they’ll have more engaging relationships and spend more time outside which can improve their overall mood.

Join Us at BB&N Next Summer

We provide children with an incredible summer day camp experience in Cambridge, MA! Kids can choose from an abundance of activities ranging from chess, co-ed basketball, coding, co-ed soccer, rowing, flag football, speech and debate, and so much more. 

Our dedicated summer camp staff has been with us for years and have had a significant amount of training in child care and safety. We work diligently to provide campers with a memorable camp experience where kids can learn new skills, meet new friends and discover their strengths.

It’s never too early to start looking for summer camps as some get booked up months in advance. If this will be your child’s first summer camp experience, you’ll want to make sure you’re doing in-depth research. Our dedicated staff has put together some tips to help you choose the right summer camp.

Day Camp is Best for Beginners

Kids that have never been to summer camp before tend to adjust better to day camps because they know they’ll be heading home at the end of the day. Every evening your child can give you feedback about the day camp and you can discuss what they enjoyed and how they’re feeling. This is especially important for shy kids or kids who struggle with anxiety. Sending children off for a week or two who have anxiety and have never been to summer camp may increase these feelings.

Find a Camp That Offers a Variety of Activities

Younger kids are still exploring what interests them so you’ll want to look for summer camps that offer several activities. There are many summer camps that cater to only one sport, one STEM program and there are others that offer several arts programs, or even a few cooking programs. While these offer some diversity, it’s best to find a camp that has a mix of everything including land sports, water sports, arts and crafts, and education.

Have a Location in Mind

Does your child love being near the water? Maybe they prefer to learn in a quiet environment. Consider your child’s needs and the type of atmosphere they thrive in. If you have an adventurous little one who is quite active, you’ll want a summer camp that has plenty of fields for kids to run around on. Also consider the pick up and drop off times. If your work is 30 minutes away from home, you won’t want a summer camp that’s in the opposite direction. Try to find a camp that is also convenient for you so you’re not feeling overwhelmed with the drive.

Staff to Camper Ratios

Attending camp for the first time can feel nerve wracking for children, but the staff have been trained to help kids adjust. Whether you’re talking to the Camp Director or you’re doing a virtual tour, do some research into the staff to camper ratio so your child feels like they’re receiving the attention they need.

Emergencies & Training

If there is a pool, lake, river or ocean nearby, you’ll want to make sure there is a lifeguard on duty. Ask about CPR certifications  and first aid certifications in the event of an emergency. The number one concern for any parent is safety. Make a list of questions regarding safety precautions and how much experience counselors have. Do they offer a CIT (counselor in training) program? Do they have background checks? Do they know CPR? Do lifeguards have Water Safety Instructor certifications?

About Summer@BB&N

Our summer camp is located in Cambridge, MA across from the Charles River. We have a beautiful, fully stocked BB&N boathouse along with two tennis courts, a double gymnasium, and a wrestling room. We make sure to provide a welcoming atmosphere for summer campers where they can engage in several different activities including chess, coed basketball, coed soccer, coding, crew, flag football, and so much more.

While summer camp is an excellent way to take a break from the busy school year, time at camp can actually motivate your child come September. Kids learn a slew of life lessons and discover so much about themselves which they bring with them into the new school year.

Summer Camp Builds Self Confidence

Kids learn to overcome challenges at summer camp, from getting over social anxiety to facing their fear of heights. As campers learn new activities, build friendships, and break out of their shell, they start to gradually build self confidence. When the school year rolls around, kids aren’t as afraid to speak up in class, get to know their peers, or raise their hand more frequently.

Children Become Resilient

Learning how to be resilient can pose challenging at any age, but at summer camp many kids become more resilient than when they arrived. When kids don’t get a goal during a game, lose at chess or don’t hit the bullseye during archery, they may feel disheartened but camp counselors always encourage them to keep trying. Summer campers start to understand that not getting a goal or target immediately doesn’t mean they’re a failure. This lesson transfers over to the school year as kids may receive a bad grade or get an answer wrong in class but they continue to thrive and ask questions.

Emotional Intelligence

Conflict can arise at any time, even at summer camp. Small issues can turn into major dilemmas if they aren’t resolved in a healthy manner. Camp counselors help facilitate clear and open communication in a nurturing environment. When kids go back into school they’re able to communicate openly to their peers and if an issue comes up, they can talk about it without letting their emotions take over.

Kids Learn to Collaborate

Some activities offered at summer camp allow kids to work independently but a majority encourage collaboration. Campers not only learn how to work well with others but they start to understand their role in group projects and if they enjoy being a leader. Every child will be in at least one group assignment during their time at school so experiencing this at summer camp can certainly help.

Sign Up for Summer Camp at Summer @ BB&N

Our day camp in Cambridge, MA provides kids with an exciting opportunity to dabble in new activities including academic, sports and specialty programs. Activities range from chess to coding to soccer to basketball and so much more. Our camp counselors have been fully trained with several hours of online training and on-site training under their belt. Each and every counselor is dedicated to the well-being and development of campers.

When it comes to food and nutrition, we have that covered too! Campers are provided with meals, snacks and drinks including juice, pancakes, bacon, macaroni and cheese, burgers, hot dogs, smart food, pretzels and other tasty treats.

Preparing for a summer day camp is much simpler than packing for an overnight camp. Kids need to pack some essentials but they get to go home and clean out their bags at the end of the day. However, it’s still important to pack in advance so you’re not rushing the night before. If it’s your child’s first time at day camp and you’re not quite sure what’s suitable, continue reading! Our team has compiled a list of some items your child needs to bring to camp.

Swim Gear: Does your summer camp have a pool, lake or beach nearby? If so, make sure a swimsuit is packed along with goggles, a towel and clean clothes to change into. 

SPF & Lip Balm: Pack a waterproof sunscreen and talk to your child about how long they should put it on for before getting in the water. We recommend an SPF that is 30 or higher and reapply the sunscreen every two hours.

Water Bottles: A labeled water bottle will be helpful for camp as it’s important to stay hydrated. It’s also good to stay away from plastic bottles.

Backpack: At a summer day camp you don’t need a chest or duffle bag to carry belongings. A backpack or tote bag is a great way to keep belongings secure and a bag with extra pockets allows you to easily organize items. 

Extra Clothes: With all the running around at summer camp, kids can get dirty especially on a rainy day. Pack an extra shirt, shorts, and rain jacket or a sweater in case it gets cold.

Something from Home: Although kids get to go home at the end of the day, new campers (especially younger children) might get homesick. Pack something that reminds them of home so they can take it out when they’re feeling anxious. This can include a note, photos or a favorite toy. 

About Summer @ BB&N

Our exciting summer day camp is located in Cambridge, MA – a beautiful area situated just outside the historical city of Boston. Our state-of-the-art Nicholas Athletic Center includes two tennis courts, an exercise room, wrestling room and double gymnasium. Along with this, we have a fully stocked boathouse along the Charles River.

Some activities offered at our summer camp include:

• Math
• Chess
• Basketball
• Soccer
• Coding

We also provide campers with nutritious and delicious snacks and lunch such as beef tacos, hamburgers, hot dogs, meatball subs, grilled cheese, macaroni and cheese, and more. When it comes to hydration, our team takes this very seriously which is why we’ve set up large water stations around the campus for kids to fill up their water bottles.

Summer camp is much more than sports and crafts, rather, summer camp offers kids the opportunity to learn patience, resilience, and build confidence. Through ice breakers, engaging in activities that take campers out of their comfort zone and unplugging for the summer, campers become much more well-rounded. 

Kids Become Independent at Summer Camp

When children are at camp, they don’t have the safety nets of teachers, parents and school friends. Summer camp is a more relaxed environment than school and provides kids with the freedom to explore new activities on their own. By engaging in new activities such as coding, math, chess, and basketball, kids are able to build their confidence. 

Summer Camp Teaches Kids to Work as a Team

Summer camps are typically focused around social interaction by introducing campers to group activities. Through these activities, campers discover teamwork which they can carry with them in school and their future careers. 

Campers Learn How to Effectively Problem Solve

From critical thinking to tackling tasks collaboratively, summer campers learn to strengthen their problem solving skills. Young summer campers learn not to act impulsively and learn from older campers on how to slow down and assess situations. 

Summer Camp Teaches Kids How to Be Resilient

At home, kids are often used to relying on their parents. When a child gets stung by a bee or gets a splinter, parents are ready to take action. At summer camp, however, campers learn to handle issues without a parent and because of this they develop resilience. Your child will come home ready to conquer anything!

Kids Become Courageous

Overcoming fears, whether it’s water or heights, builds courage in summer campers. There’s no shortage of activities for kids at camps, especially ones that encourage kids to break out of their  shell. Shy campers become much more courageous at summer camp as they meet other campers and build friendships. 

About Summer@BB&N

Our summer camp is located in Cambridge, MA across from the Charles River. We make sure to provide a welcoming atmosphere for summer campers where they can engage in several different activities including chess, coed basketball, coed soccer, coding, crew, flag football, and so much more.

While summer camp is a time that many kids await, new campers can experience anxiety as they wait for the big day. If your child is on the shyer side, they could have “summer camp” jitters as they think about making new friends, trying new activities, and being away from home, even if for the day. Feeling jittery before summer camp is completely normal! If you notice your child has anxiety as summer camp approaches, check out a few tips from our staff below. 

Pack a Reminder of Home: Bringing a piece of home can be beneficial for children at both overnight and day camp. A note from you, a favorite toy or doll, or a picture of the family will help comfort your child during times of anxiety. 

Focus on the Positives: Discuss all the benefits of summer camp such as the new activities that your child will learn, all the new lifelong friendships that will be made and visiting a completely new area. 

Show Empathy: Acknowledge that your child is afraid and demonstrate that you care and understand. Sometimes children feel anxious because they don’t feel heard. 

Plan a Solution on Saying Goodbye: Short goodbyes are best when you have a child with anxiety. Figure out a game plan so you can determine what works best when you do drop your child off at camp. 

Be Confident: If you project confidence, your child will most likely feel confident too. It can be easy to be anxious because of the present energy but make sure to remain strong and confident. 

Teach Your Child Breathing Techniques: There’s tons of breathing techniques available online and in books. Take a look at some easy breathing techniques or research breathing techniques for children. This can be an instant relief for anxiety! 

Share Your Camp Stories: If you have been to camp before, tell your child about some fun and exciting camp stories! Once your child sees that you had a blast at summer camp it will get them excited to attend summer camp too.

Help Your Child Set Goals: Setting goals can help take the weight of your child’s shoulders. Setting a goal-oriented plan allows your child to get excited about camp and potential successes. Small goals like learning new swim strokes, scoring a goal and winning at chess are just a few examples. 

Join Us for Summer Camp

Summer@BB&N holds our summers camp in the beautiful area of Cambridge, MA, and offers students of all ages a variety of programs, such as basketball, coding, and crew.

Contact our team today to learn more about our summer camp programs for children of all ages.

Summer camp is a memorable experience for both teens and kids. Not only do summer campers have the opportunity to explore a completely new setting, whether it’s a camp down in a nearby town or across the country, but campers also get to try a myriad of different activities. Along with this, summer camp builds social skills in a number of ways. Read on to learn more about how summer camp builds social skills.

Problem Solving

Ice breakers are a major component of summer camp. Through these, campers learn how to problem solve as well as break out of their shell and get to know one another. 

Making Friends

New friendships are established every day at summer camp. In fact, many campers stay in touch outside of camp and even into adulthood. Summer camp also allows kids to get to know kids from different backgrounds. 

How to Apologize

Conflict can arise in any situation, at any age. While summer camp counselors strive to make summer camp a warm and inviting environment, some children may not seem eye-to-eye. During this time, kids learn to apologize to one another and deal with conflict in a healthy manner. At camp, kids resolve conflict without hurting each other’s feelings and can take these lessons with them through life. 

Engage in Group Activities

Summer camp is never short on group activities. In fact, kids tend to thrive during group activities! Kids are taught new activities with their old friends and new acquaintances. During these group activities, kids learn how to work together, problem solve, and engage in activities that test their boundaries. 

How to Involve Other Kids

One of the major social skills kids learn at camp is how to involve other kids in activities. Summer campers are encouraged to learn from each other and many of the games offered at camp allow just that. As kids become more comfortable with each other at camp, they are eager to include each other, making camp feel like one big family! 

Emotional Intelligence

Children develop empathy at summer camp which improves their emotional intelligence. Learning how to relate to others is a quality that even adults struggle with so gaining this early on is extremely important. 

About Summer@BB&N

Summer at Buckingham Browne & Nichols Schools offers students of all ages an opportunity to learn social skills during summer camp. With a variety of programs, such as basketball, coding, and crew, there is something for everyone.

Contact our team today to learn more about our summer camp programs for children of all ages.

Summer camp offers kids and teens the opportunity to learn new skills, develop friendships and immerse themselves in nature. If you’ve spent your summers away from home, exploring the outdoors and getting to know other campers from across the world, then you’re probably eager to share this experience with your child. On the other hand, if you’ve never attended summer camp, you might be wondering why your child should go. Read on to learn some exciting benefits of sending your child to summer camp.

Learn New Activities: Summer camp allows children to unwind from the pressures of school and learn new activities in an open and accepting environment. Children can sign up to a variety of programs including coding, basketball, flag football, and more, without having any experience. Summer camps give kids the opportunity to see what they’re good at, and to see what skills they want to improve on.

A Newfound Independence: Separation from parents means children learn to rely on themselves, counselors, and other peers. Kids learn to think independently which in turn boosts their self esteem.

Build Friendships: Even the shyest kids make friends easily at summer camp! There are plenty of ice breakers, not to mention summer campers will bond over shared interest and activities. Many campers even visit one another throughout the year.

More Free Time: Summer camp is a great way to take a break from the real world. Kids can have a blast engaging in sports and arts. Overly-structured routines are put to a halt so campers can play, laugh and unwind.

Develop Social Skills: At summer camp, kids are joining a close-knit community where everyone is accepted. Summer campers learn to respect each other and learn about other cultures. Resolving conflict in a healthy manner, sharing chores, and improving communication are just a few of the skills that kids will develop at camp.

Become More Resilient: Kids are nurtured at summer camp and are constantly encouraged to face their fears and try new things. Over time, we notice that kids become much more resilient and they’re not afraid of setbacks.

Why Join Us at BB&N Summer Camp

At BB&N, we have not one but five summer camps to choose from including Academic Experiences, Specialty, Advanced Specialty, Sports and Classic Camp.
Classic Camp: Activities include swimming, arts and crafts, sports, theater, water play and archery.

Specialty & Advanced Specialty Camp: Activities include chess, mine craft, fleming technology, fishing, eco farm, mastermind adventures, and more.

Sports Camp: Sports include soccer, crew, basketball, flag football and futsal.

Our exciting summer camp, situated near Harvard Square, has several natural and artificial turf athletic fields, fully stocked boat house, two tennis courts, an exercise room, double gymnasium and a wrestling room.