It’s every parent’s concern: What’s the best way for

my child to spend his or her free time during summer

and other breaks? To some, it’s a time for children to

play and have fun. For others, it’s an opportunity for kids

to hone their studies or learn new skills -- or even

subjects, from arts to architecture.

There’s a single destination that gets kids outside

having fun, experts say, while teaching them lifelong

skills. It’s called a camp.

The benefits of 'camp' are plenty, from life lessons

beyond the classroom and the value of playtime to

appreciating nature and building confidence and

leadership skills.

"The major changes in campers’ growth speaks

tremendously of the summer camp experience,"

says Troy Glover, the director of the University of

Waterloo’s Healthy Communities Research Network.

Camp provides a safe environment to freely learn, grow and develop their capabilities. Summer camp, according to the study, fosters emotional intelligence (or EQ), self-confidence, independence, healthy living, environmental awareness, learning, leadership and other skills that prove beneficial long into adulthood. At camp, you can have your cake flavored with a mix of fun and learning, and eat it too.

The core benefits are

1. Building friendships and social skills

2. Developing resilience and confidence

3. Becoming and staying physically fit

4. Overcoming nature deficit disorder

5. Learning the values of leadership

6. Continuing education in the summer

7. Carving time for “active play”