How to promote health and wellness at camp
Promoting health and wellness is a big part of managing a camp, and the focus on well-being is a main reason that camp programs are so popular. Not only does health-centered programming provide unique opportunities for campers, but it does so while also improving mental health. This means the benefits are not only physical but also cognitive, social, and emotional. The following are some steps camp directors can take to better promote health and wellness:
- Keep camp games active and avoid downtime.
- Serve healthy meal and snack options, or promote these options if campers bring lunch.
- Be aware of campers’ mental health and promote well-being at camp. Give individual attention to those who may be struggling.
- Make sure facilities are clean and safe while teaching campers to keep them that way.
- Stay positive and always ensure that kids are having fun.
- Work wellness activities into camp programming, such as jump rope, fitness relays, obstacle courses, and team sports.
- Keep campers’ minds active by incorporating educational activities such as those focused on STEM.
- If going on field trips, choose destinations that are active and/or educational that introduce kids to new experiences that may be unavailable otherwise.
- Improve campers’ mental health by incorporating team-building and socioemotional learning activities to promote socialization and reduce bullying.
- Socialize with campers to make them feel welcome, wanted, and included.
Promoting and implementing an active, healthy lifestyle for kids has the following benefits:
- They will be happier and more positive.
- They will have more energy.
- It will reduce obesity and help them maintain a healthy weight.
- It will help them feel good about themselves.
- It will help prevent disease and illness.
- It will help them sleep better.
- It will help strengthen their muscles and bones.
- It will reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Designing a camp to foster physical and mental well-being, as well as encourage healthy life choices, will improve a program and have an impact well beyond camp!