Why Parents Should Send Their Kids to Youth Camps
The Camp Experience Every Child Should Have
Youth camps benefit young minds in more than one way. The skills that a child learns at a youth camp will stay with them forever, benefitting them even when they reach adulthood. So, if you are looking for reasons to send your kids to a youth camp, here are a few that should convince you.
Physical Activity
Technology has made kids lazy. They prefer sitting with their laptops and smartphones than being out and getting some much needed exercise. Youth camps make physical activity fun, so that kids learn to enjoy it and also make it a part of their life after leaving the camp. Running, swimming, climbing and hiking are some of the physical activities that youth camps offer.
Confidence Building
The child of today is under constant pressure to perform and do well, be it academics, athletics or social activities. Youth camps offer children a range of opportunities and activities to succeed but do away with the competitive element. So when kids can successfully complete tasks and activities at a youth camp, it boosts their self-esteem and self-confidence. Basically, the camp teaches kids that they have an ability to perform and do well.
Become Resilient
Life is fraught with failures and kids should have the resilience to endure these setbacks and still persevere. They should not be afraid of trying new things even though it can be a frightening experience. Youth camps constantly introduce new things and experiences to kids, helping them conquer their fears so that they can hold their own in real life.
Develop Skills
A majority of youth camps provide kids with the right facilities, instructions and equipment to hone their abilities in art, sports and adventure. The wide array of activities allows kids to explore, discover and develop their abilities that will stay with them throughout their lives.
Turn Independent
You will be surprised when your child returns from the camp. They will be more independent and will have the ability to make decisions without you guiding their each move. Youth camps offer a safe and secure environment where young minds and bodies have the freedom to bloom and develop without restrictions. This, in turn, allows them to make their daily living choices without hindrance.
Learn Social Skills
Youth camps inculcate cooperation and mutual respect among children. They learn to live with other kids, resolve disagreements, share chores and understand the importance of honest communication. It allows them to learn these vital social skills that are necessary for success in every sphere of life. In addition, they make friends with common interests and more often than not, these friendships last a lifetime.
Nature Appreciation
Youth camps are often located away from the hustle and bustle of city life so that kids have the freedom to enjoy their stay. However, since most activities are held outdoors, kids learn to observe and appreciate the natural beauty and heritage. This experience of communing with nature aids in healthy child development.
There is no doubt youth camps can do wonders for young minds. So if you are looking for the perfect youth camp, look no further than Christian Youth Camps (CYC). It boasts campsites throughout Victoria, with an awesome urban camp in Melbourne. The youth camps by CYC offer the perfect mix of leisure and educational activities for the youth of today to blossom into leaders of tomorrow.
Victorian Camps: An Adventure Redefined
Where Adventure and Reflection Meet in Nature
When summer comes, running free in the great outdoors has a unique appeal. The birds chirping, sunshine caressing your skin and the warm breeze ruffling up your hair are something that city dwellers often miss out on. You can offer this and much more to your kids and yourself if you book one of the Victorian camps run by Christian Youth Camps (CYC). These camps are ideal for children, adults and working professionals.
These Victorian camps can be used by families, school groups or organisations for their team-building activities. In case you are wondering why CYC should be your first and last choice for camps and campsite activities, here are some compelling reasons to convince you.
Themes Galore
You can convert Victoria camps into a huge adventure for your group. With outdoor space that is open and unrestricted, children and adults can let their imagination run wild to create themes. Whether it is retreating into the mysterious mediaeval world or entering the world of video games, these camps have it all to offer a unique and thrilling experience.
Satisfying Experience
CYC Victoria camps are about building confidence, making kids more independent, fostering social interaction and encouraging children to spend more time outside, in fresh air and amidst nature. As a result, kids acquire more confident and have the ability to resolve day-to-day problems with creativity and enthusiasm. Also, kids can attend faith-based programs and Bible workshops that attract children from diverse backgrounds. This can turn into an educative experience that nurtures good values.
Superior Venues
CYC’s Victoria camps are located in Melbourne CBD, Gippsland and Philip Island. Visitors can easily access local attractions while taking advantage of innumerable fun activities present in each camp. The rooms and suites are well-equipped so that visitors enjoy the same comfort and amenities as home.
The venues are ideal for corporate team building activities, school groups, church groups and private groups. CYC has full-time staff and a team of volunteer leaders who work cohesively to ensure every individual has a positive and memorable experience.
Experience Matters
CYC is an expert in running and operating camps for adults and kids. Each year, they host more than 30 camps at various locations. Victoria camps by CYC are synonymous with fun, learning and relaxation. CYC understands what each group wants and is committed to providing activities accordingly. Of course, you are free to also design your own outdoor activities to include your entire group and CYC staff will be there to help you make sure that they go off seamlessly.
Victoria has so many wonderful sights and sounds to offer, but when you are looking to get away from it all and reconnect with nature, CYC Victoria camps is just what you need. Located amidst lush greenery but still close enough to attractions and civilisation, you will be able to enjoy the best of both worlds. More than that, these camps open a doorway to relax and reconnect with yourself so that when you return to your daily life, you are more aware of your surroundings and more productive at work or school.
Coastal Camps: A Group Adventure Waiting to Happen
Coastal Camp Retreats Made for Groups
Victoria is renowned for its vast coastline. The raw beauty of nature and the turquoise waters are spellbinding and soothing. So it goes without saying that Victoria is home to some stunning coastal camps that come replete with modern amenities and activity opportunities that you will not find anywhere else in Australia.
CYC Coastal Camp
You will find one of the most stunning coastal camps in Victoria on Philip Island. Nestled in the heart of Cowes, this camp is spread over an area of 2.5 hectares of lush greenery and well-landscaped and manicured garden.
Run by Christian Youth Camps (CYC), this picturesque coast camp is aptly named CYC The Island. The camp is within walking distance to sandy beaches and the Cowes, and you can access the world famous attractions of Philip Island, including Penguin Parade, the Nobbies and Koala Conservatory, in a vehicle.
CYC The Island
CYC The Island is an all-season conference and retreat centre that has the ability to comfortably accommodate more than 200 guests. The camp has separate areas for accommodation and each is centrally heated. The ensuite rooms are comfortable with modern amenities and all guests enjoy privacy.
Each housing unit has a separate dining area that is completely air-conditioned along with individual areas within the accommodation for functions, meetings and recreation. The recreational area is located indoors, making it perfect when there are unfavourable weather conditions.
Facilities on The Island
What sets CYC The Island apart from other coastal camps is the wide array of facilities and amenities which are designed to ensure guests are comfortable, at home and completely at ease when residing at the camp.
The camp realises that business and corporate guests may want to keep in touch with their workplaces and that is why there is free Wi-Fi facility across the camp. In addition, other facilities include:
- Ensuite modern guest rooms that are cheerfully decorated
- Multiple function and break rooms
- Gymnasium
- Indoor auditorium
- Campfire and BBQ facilities
- Superior catering
- Self-catering facilities
- Sports ovals
- Extensive decking to enjoy the outdoor world and beauty
- A wide array of within the camp to cater all kinds of guests, regardless of their fitness levels and personal choices
In keeping with the coastal theme, The Island has two separate accommodation areas – seafarer cabins and mariner lodges. The cabin and lodges offer privacy that corporate and business guests yearn for. They come with separate areas for indoor recreation, meetings, functions and dining. Hence, guests do not have to deal with communal facilities.
Activities Offered by The Island
The Island provides safe equipment and activities suited for all age groups. In addition, groups receive complimentary program planning materials for group activities along with seamless organisation of local transport needs.
Activities that groups and individuals can enjoy at this camp include:
- Target archery
- Indoor mechanical climbing wall
- 90m flying fox
- Low ropes course
- Orienteering games
- In-ground trampolines
- Solar-heating swimming pool
- Bounce ball
- Giant swing
- Initiative activities
- Indoor basketball
- Indoor volleyball
- Billiards
- Table tennis
The Island also offers a plethora of off-site activities which are just a short stroll away. These include bush walks, beach walks, bicycle pathways, educational tourist spots, boardwalks and visit to the koala sanctuary.
When it comes to coastal camps, CYC The Island is one of the best in Victoria. Its unique location makes it the perfect place to enjoy, learn and relax.
Top 3 Benefits of Sports Camps
How Sports Camps Shape KidS
Sports camps can have a profound effect on the development, life and wellbeing of your child. Not only do these camps get your child up and running, but they also inculcate good habits and skills that your child will cherish throughout their lives, even in adulthood.
Sports camps usually offer the perfect blend of teamwork, rule-based games, mixed age groups, and communal rituals that teach young minds to play in the spirit of the game, resolve disputes amicably, and learn to compromise to achieve goals besides learning several other skills that come to good stead in the real world.
As a leading provider of sports camps in Victoria, Christian Youth Camps (CYC) focus on teaching children of all ages to have a positive outlook to life while making physical activities a routine part of their lives. Through its well-equipped, safe and secure sports camps, CYC offers the following benefits for kids:
1. Health
The modern world has given us many amenities. However, these amenities have also made us lazy. Today, childhood obesity is very high because children are spending most of their time sitting and studying or sitting in front of TV and computers. However, for proper growth and development, children also require exercise. It ensures optimal health and wellbeing.
CYC sports camps have customised activities for children based on their age and physical fitness. It gives them the freedom to run unhindered outside, in the midst of nature, and caters to their energy levels. You can be certain that children will have a lot of fun while they overcome obstacle courses, swim, hike and run.
2. Independence
Sports camps foster independence among children by teaching them to do simple things on their own. This helps their self-confidence and also teaches them to take decisions. By spending time away from their families, sports camps teach children that they have the ability to survive and thrive on their own.
By doing their own things, kids learn to take responsibility for their actions. It also teaches them the importance of integrity, relationships, teamwork, critical thinking, respect and compromising when the need arises.
3. Mental Health
Sports camps can help your kids improve their mental health. Research shows that children who participate in sports can boost their numeracy scores by 8 per cent compared to average kids. Sports and physical activities undertaken at sports camps release endorphins and other brain chemicals that boost brain health and wellbeing.
You will find your child has improved cognition skills and is also more aware of their surroundings after participating in sports camps. Alert and more focussed children tend to perform better at school and extracurricular activities.
If you have never sent your child before to a sports camp, now is the best time to do so and let your child benefit from attending the camp. CYC has campsites across Victoria, with a huge urban camp in the heart of Melbourne. Take advantage of the sports camps that CYC organises for kids and watch your little one thrive and improve after each camp.