Summer Camps 2023

By: Morgan Santana, LMSW and Caila Holm, LMSW – Case Managers at Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Centerstone

This time of year is often a chaotic period for caregivers of children enrolled in school. For the kids, it is a time of finals and standardized tests; and for the caregivers, the reminders of the looming summer break are everywhere. From a mental-health perspective, summer camps are amazing opportunities to focus on skills to supplement academic and personal development. A large-scale 2005 study found that summer camp attendance quickly developed a child’s positive identity, social skills, physical and thinking skills, as well as spiritual growth (2005). Additionally, these gains were maintained or even further developed 6 months after the conclusion of camp (2005). Often caregivers enroll their children in therapy to work on self-esteem or social skills, but the science shows that these goals can be accomplished just as easily by a child attending summer camp. Though the Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Centerstone is still here to treat children and families, we compiled a list of local summer camps as alternatives or supplements to social-emotional development therapy in the summer months.

Download the compiled list here!