Boys Summer Camp

An all boys summer camp can be a great experience for your son. Not only are activities geared specifically towards boys, but also there is the freedom to participate without the attention of the opposite sex. But, is an all boys camp really different than an all girls camp (other than the obvious gender issue?).

There are many things that you will find at a boys summer camp that you won't find at a girls' or coed camp. Researchers have shown that boys and girls really do relate differently and that gender differences are a very real part of how we interact with each other. Consequently, you will find that there is a difference. . .and perhaps it could be a very positive one for your child.

In general, there will be a certain element of competition involved in an all boys camp. Competition is not generally a bad thing, and many camps tend to regard a little competition as healthy. After all, competition provides us with some of life's most valuable lessons--how to win and how to lose with graciousness.

Don't expect most boys camps to be an all out competition fest where your child's physical strength will be tested all week. Rather, boys are generally encouraged to work together as a team and explore various interests. If there is a healthy dose of competition involved, the staff is careful to balance it so that each child leaves feeling like he is a winner.

If you choose to send your child to a camp that is focused on some type of academic pursuit like science or math, you can expect to see that instructors will teach in ways consistent with gender specific research. While boys and girls can do math equally well--they don't necessarily employ the same means to learn it. Consequently, boy camps that focus on academics will also focus on teaching the way that research suggests that boys learn best.

It's not a surprise that boys and girls bond differently. While an all girls camp might have "pillow talk" or some other type of bonding ritual that may very well include talking or sharing, you will likely not find that type of bonding at an all male camp. However, don't assume that there isn't bonding going on. Boy camps are famous for having clad iron traditions. . .things like:

• Swimming at 5 a.m. on the last morning of camp
• Jello snarfing (eating a plate of jello without the use of your hands)
• Running races that encompass the entire grounds
• Pouring Gatorade on a favorite counselor or the director

Rest assured that when your son looks back on camp days, he will remember all these traditions fondly.

Camp is an opportunity for your child to grow and push himself in ways he didn't think possible. Boys programming tends to emphasize the adventuresome aspect of boys' personalities, and many boys camps offer a variety of adventures, such as kayaking, paint ball, high ropes, rock climbing and spelunking. That's not to say you can't find these things at girls' camps. . .just that they are quite common at boys' camps particularly where a partnering girls' camp offers "girl only" activities like horsemanship.

One consistent difference between coed and all boys' camps is that boys' camps tend to be smaller in size. For many kids, this really can be helpful in terms of receiving mentorship from older men, or even just for building confidence and self-esteem. If you're looking for a bigger boys camp, choose a camp that has a girls camp under the same umbrella organization.

When choosing a camp, consider your goals for your son as well as his interests. Perhaps you feel like he needs a well structured environment or perhaps your son was born to explore the great outdoors. Chances are, there's a boys summer camp near you that's just right.

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