Page 8 - South Issue 12

Summer Progression at Super Camps
Much of the recent debate about school holidays
has focused on the summer – and the well-known
propensity for children to slide backwards during the
long lay-off. Of course, it’s lovely to be able to enjoy
one’s children – to forsake the morning routine for a
while and allow a bit more pyjama time, but for adults
work still needs to be done and tasks need to be
accomplished.
For children too, being at home for that long can
become a tad tiresome, especially when parents are
at work and friends are away. And at times like that
it’s all too easy to switch on the box or start surfing
too far from safety on the computer.
The cumulative effect of the body and brain being
allowed to drift into a two-month limbo is being
labelled “summer regression” by child psychologists.
Particular concern has been expressed about the
latter half of the summer holidays, when boredom
can quickly turn to mischief – or worse.
So pronounced are the effects of this summer
condition that schools complain that it can take
months to get children to wake up and focus again
when education resumes in the autumn.
At Super Camps, we pride ourselves on programmes
for children that keep both mind and body stretched,
while maximum fun is enjoyed.
Instructors will introduce subtle themes that create
an opportunity for informed conversation between
children: about different cultures, animals, plants,
world events and sporting heroes.
Younger children are looked after by Early Years
Foundation Stage (EYFS) staff: older children are
encouraged to enjoy new activities that trigger all
kinds of great question-and-answer sessions.
Across this beautiful region, Super Camps is lucky to
be located in some fantastic schools – check www.
supercamps.co.uk/summer14 for details – but we
don’t pretend to be teachers. What we do provide
however is a chance for children to discover new
activities, to learn about new possibilities, to meet
new friends – and to have a great time.
For children lucky enough to be sent on camp by
their parents, it’s not summer regression, it’s summer
progression.