Your child may already be motivated to pursue his/her favorite sport and nothing could get in his/her way, but not all children are this motivated. Lots of children and teens need a little encouragement even after that fun summer of Basketball, Baseball/Softball, Football, Soccer, Lacrosse, Swimming, Snowboarding, Cheerleading, Cross-country running, Fencing, Field Hockey, Fishing, Golf, Hockey, Horseback Riding. Here are some things you can do to motivate your child after summer sports camp is over:

1. Encourage them to get involved with different sports leagues - in-school team sports, intramural and co-ed sports, the YMCA, etc. and offer to provide rides/carpools. Be sure to go to their games as often as possible.
2. Take them to high school, college, and professional sports games.
3. If they must play video games, encourage them to play sports video games and keep them away from the violent ones. Sports video games can actually help with ambidexterity, hand-eye coordination and helps them learn the game inside and out and teaches them to be more efficient. For example, if you play hocky, it teaches you rules like offsides, icing, etc.
4. Encourage them to study and do well in school. When athletes get better grades in school they tend to be better athletes. There is a connection between succeeding academically and doing better physically and in all areas. The 6th Century BCE father of Western Philosophy, Pythagoras, mentored athletes to look beyond athletics to become better world citizens and to develop and master their inner and outer world. He taught them how to think and how to develop strategy and scientific ways of “beating” their opponent with right use of energy, diet, and exercise.
5. Spend time with your child and show them you are available so that when they have a problem they will talk to you instead of turning to drugs or other destructive avenues. With the world and technology keeping us busier than any other time in history, it’s important to block out time at least twice a week to spend quality time with your child. Play catch, basketball, tennis, take them to a movie, etc.
6. Book the sports summer camp early for next year so they have something to look forward to.
7. Encourage them to stay in touch with other kids from their favorite sports summer camp.

Not only will these things help sustain the spark after summer sports camps, they will help your child-parent bond as well!

Karen Mazza works with the Camppage.com. CampPage is one of the nation’s best resources for information about summer camps in the United States and Canada online at Camppage.com.

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Computer Camps Help Kids Learn to Love Science and Math

Computer camps are new to the summer camp industry. Most people, when thinking of a summer camp imagine being in the woods and activities like swimming, horseback riding , archery and more, but many kids are now involved in technology as part of their learning experience.  Computer and digital technology are also continuously growing job markets and skills gained during elementary and high school can help children achieve professional success later in life. Computer camps cover subject matters such as programming, gaming, robotics, and more. Kids also get the opportunity to learn new ideas about computer technology, science and math.  Children are able to spend the summer expanding their knowledge and growing as people.

Computer Camp Activities Include a Wide Variety of Interesting and Exciting Topics

Technology is an extremely diverse field to work in. Children interested in computers can choose from a large number of summer camp activities in order to explore a variety of technological topics. Some of the most popular computer camp programs include game design, gaming development, computer programming , robotics, digital media and much more. Computer programming covers codes and languages like HTML, CSS and javascript. Robotics explains motors and robot design. Gaming discusses game design, animation, 3D technology. Digital Media  programs teach kids about digital video production and editing. Some summer computer camps even have a total of over 20 computer-related programs.

Do Summer Computer Camps also Offer more Traditional Outdoor Summer Camp Programs  

The Internet, online games and other modern technologies often seem dangerous because they deter kids from getting physical exercise, which is important for healthy brain development. The majority of summer computer camps offer more than just technology programs. They also offer science and math programs, along with outdoor adventures and activities such as sports and horseback riding. Summer camp directors and staff know it is essential to provide a well rounded camp experience. Most computer camps for kids offer a multitude of choices when it comes to their summer camp programs.