Are you a working parent that is looking for a summer camp for your child?

Are you trying to find a summer camp that offers multi-activities but you don’t know if your child will like it? This article is for you. As parents, we are afraid to send our kids away to summer camp and wonder if we are making the right decision.

In today’s world we want instant gratification. We try to anticipate everything, thinking that it will guarantee success. We think that planning and over-protecting our kids is the way to do it. We want to give everything to our children in order because we don’t want them to fail. One thing is for sure; giving the best resources to your child does not guarantee success.

Success is about self-esteem, confidence and being motivated to do something children like and they can achieve. When you select a camp, it has to be in the child best interest. There is nothing worse than imposing our children to go to a camp they are not motivated to go.

I always tell you at the end of each article, “Focus on the process and not the results.” Results do not equal success. The goal should be motivation to tackle hard work because behind each win there’s a defeat. Loosing is also part of the process to that goal. Learning and doing an activity with passion is also part of being successful.

Perhaps a music camp or space camp does not fit into your selection, but you child is passionate about the stars or playing the piano. When making a decision, should you take into account your child being passionate about something? As parents, you want your kids to succeed, of course. So, paying for private lessons or registering them in the best summer camp, you are giving your child an opportunity to get better and in turn, boost their self-esteem. However, if you expect them to win every time, you’re only creating anxiety for them.

Here are 6 keys to a successful summer camp experience for your child

1- They need to have fun.
2- Select a camp that your child will be excited about.
3- Make sure that you both have common goals.
4- If there are games or competitions in the camp, you have to understand that losing is part of the process. Learning to win, too!
5- Make sure that the camp goals are the same values and vision as yours.
6- Support your child in his/her choice regardless of the results.

So, success is not just about the results but about the pathway. That pathway will be filled with happiness and sadness, with big wins and losses, with injuries and benefits, with medals and disappointments. It is not an easy process but when it’s well-balanced the journey is worth it.

Find a goal and enjoy the process, not the results!