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- COULD YOUR CHILD BE THE
NEXT AMERICAN IDOL?
Watch out Paula, Simon, and Randy! With
the popularity of the FOX television
show American Idol, children can't
wait to develop and expand their own
musical talents. This preoccupation with
the arts is not a bad thing. According
to the nonprofit organization Support
Music, children involved in the performing
arts:
- Develop skills like critical thinking, problem solving, teamwork,
and effective communication.
- Are less likely to drop out of school.
- Have higher test scores on college entrance exams.
- Have lower instances of using tobacco, alcohol, and drugs.
With many schools cutting performing
arts programs, parents are finding the
best creative outlet for their child
is a performing arts camp.
In the past five years, ACA has recorded
a 25% increase in performing arts camp
programs at ACA-Accredited® camps.
From musical theater to classical violin,
there is a performing arts camp for every
interest. Some music camps offer diverse
programs from world music to rock 'n'
roll. Campers' talents are showcased
with performances, concerts, musical
productions, and much more. Some camps
even have their own recording studios.
There are also opportunities for campers
to learn how things work behind the scenes
from set design and lighting to sound
production.
For more information about performing
arts camps, contact Public Relations at pr@ACAcamps.org.
ACA offers articles available
for reprint free of charge, including
how to find the perfect camp for your
child. For more information about article
reprints, please contact Public Relations
at pr@ACAcamps.org.
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- CAMP IS THE SOLUTION FOR SUMMER
WEIGHT GAIN
A recent
study released by Ohio State and
Indiana University sociology professors
shows that children gain more weight
over the summer months than during the
school year. Those who conducted the
study suggest that children gain extra
weight due to the lack of structure during
the summer months.
"Our general finding—that
kids do better in a structured environment
with scheduled exercise and limited opportunities
to eat—is consistent with the idea
that camp can help restrain summer weight
gain," said Paul von Hippel, Ohio
State University sociology professor
and lead author of the study. "Speaking
from my own experience, I was a chubby
kid until I lost ten pounds the first
year that my mother sent me to camp."
Camps continue to play a vital role in
turning back this national trend. Camps
are important partners for parents and
children who want to make positive changes
that keep kids active and eating healthy
all year long.
Camps and their staffs make sure that
camp programs offer opportunities for
healthy and active living. If your children
begin to change some of their food and
activity habits at camp, they might be
able to transfer some of these behaviors
when they return home.
Many camps look for innovative, fun,
tasty ways to provide healthy choices
and decision-making skills to their campers.
The following list includes some "tried-and-true" techniques
found at camps. Camps:
- Teach children to alter food preferences by providing them
with a variety of food choices.
- Offer taste tests and expose children to new foods.
- Encourage eating breakfast.
- Offer new exercise/activity programs.
- Reduce "fast food" and junk food for snacks and
side dishes (chips, cookies, candy, etc.); provide healthy
options at the snack bar or camp store.
- Educate children about healthy eating and knowing when to
stop eating.
Camps play a vital role in contributing
to lifelong patterns of exercise and
excellent nutrition. Camp is a great
place to offer good food, great activities,
a positive environment, a safe and secure
location, and most of all, fun.
To speak with an ACA spokesperson about
how the camp experience promotes a healthy
lifestyle or for more information on
the study or topic, contact Public Relations
at pr@ACAcamps.org.
ACA offers articles
available for reprint free of charge,
including several dealing with children
and healthy lifestyles. For more information
about article reprints, please contact
Public Relations at pr@ACAcamps.org.
To view ACA's new videos about the benefits
of camp, visit www.CampParents.org.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Public Relations, American Camp Association
765-349-3317; 765-342-8456, ext. 317
pr@ACAcamps.org
About ACA
The American Camp Association® (ACA) works to preserve, promote, and enhance
the camp experience for children and adults. ACA-Accredited® camp programs
ensure that children are provided with a diversity of educational and developmentally
challenging learning opportunities. ACA is the only national organization that accredits camps. There are over 2,400 ACA-accredited camps
that meet up to 300 health and safety standards. For more information, visit www.ACAcamps.org.
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