International summer camps have a tremendous amount to offer in terms of personal and academic development, but let’s face it, they’re not cheap. If you want to give your child the experience of attending an international summer camp, it’s well worth taking the time to make sure the camp you select will give them as much as possible. To get you headed in the right direction, here are some of the top benefits to look for in the higher quality international summer camps.

New adventures
For many children and teens, just the chance to attend camp in another country is a great adventure. The international environment also introduces children to exciting new cultures, people and ideas. Larger camps may have children from dozens of different countries attending.

Many camps also give attendees the chance to participate in adventure sports they may not be able to try at home. Water skiing, kayaking, mountain climbing, spelunking, and equestrian sports are especially popular.

Academic skills
While not all camps offer academic subjects, most do provide at least a little foreign language study. Specialized camps may also offer courses particularly in cultural studies, history, music, or the physical sciences. Don’t mistake this for the same lecture-based classes kids sit through during the school year. The experience-based teaching methods many camps favor let kids learn through exploration and discovery.

Personal growth and social skills
Being away from home helps young people develop their independence and self-reliance, which in turn builds self-confidence. Counselors employed by international summer camps serve as positive adult role models who establish an encouraging environment and guide campers through any problems they may encounter. Camp living also helps develop teamwork skills, leadership skills, and a sense of responsibility and mutual respect.

How to get started
If you’re new to choosing international summer camps, start by collect ideas about which camp would suit your child best. The better known camp organizations can give you excellent insight into what a top quality camp should provide. If you have younger children, look into Village Camps, which offers camps throughout Europe, North America, Asia and Middle East, or SuperCamp, which focuses on Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East. For older children, there are camps like International Doorways in Africa and Latin America or more academic summer programs like those offered by Academic Study Associates in Europe.

Recommended reading from Amazon: Ultimate Guide to Summer Opportunities for Teens: 200 Programs That Prepare You for College Success

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