(ACA) We all know that childhood obesity is now epidemic and that the key to keeping our kids healthy is to get them moving more and eating less. But did you know that kids are prone to gain more weight over the summer months than when school is in session? A research study found kids’ body mass indexes grew more than twice as fast between that last day of school and their first day back. The study’s lead author, Paul von Hippel, explains, “kids do better in a structured environment with scheduled exercise and limited opportunities to eat.” So, how can working moms and dad provide that healthy structure for their children? Camp may be part of the answer, according to von Hippel and others.

It’s easy to understand how kids might pack on extra pounds over the summer. High-calorie foods are abundant and relatively cheap; and today’s youth are the most inactive generation in history. Making matters worse, kids now spend an average of 22 to 25 hours a week watching TV according to one study, and TV watching is directly associated with obesity. In addition to those long hours of inactivity, children often consume high-calorie foods while watching TV. One report estimates that obesity in children increases by two percent for each hour of television viewing. For these reasons, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents limit the amount of time children watch TV to just one to two hours a day. Before camp begins, join us in unplugging the TV during Turnoff Week: APril 21-27! Want to blog about it? Mail our recovering TV addict: amy@sacramentoparent.com

How Camp Helps
“ At camp, children and youth participate in healthy activities that contribute to the growth of healthy habits,” states Andrew Townsend, president of the American Camp Association (ACA), Northern California. Some of those habits, can last a lifetime.

Healthy Eating Habits – At camp kids are exposed to wholesome, healthy food. While eating habits take awhile to develop, at least for a time their bodies get a tasty diet that emphasizes nutrition instead of fast food or sweets. Additionally, meals at camp are enjoyed while sitting with fellow campers, instead of “on the run,” as often happens when families are too busy to sit down together.

Increased Activity – Camp, by definition, takes kids away from TV and video games, and almost always includes at least an hour of physical activity. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children exercise (non-stop activity) 20 to 25 minutes at least three times a week. The American Council on Exercise goes further, recommending everyone get at least 60 minutes of moderately intense physical activity a day.
Camp also shows kids they can have a good time without being entertained by a glowing screen or novelty snack food, which is particularly important today when so many kids are technology dependant and lack an independent imagination.

Permission to Try New Things – Children who discover a new activity they like or learn a new skill, such as horseback riding or kayaking, often take this new expertise home with them and stick with the activity on their own, even into adulthood.
And at camp, children are often with a different group than their usual friends, making them more apt to try new things.
Many camp activities involve teams, allowing kids to develop a sense of camaraderie and community; other activities, such as swimming, biking, walking or hiking, are more individual, so kids who might not be comfortable with team sports can still enjoy being active.

Emphasis on Fun – According to the California Research Bureau’s Children’s Healthy Lifestyle project, some children do not participate in sports because they are so highly competitive. The “Little League Syndrome,” with its strong emphasis on winning, can make kids anxious. And the “no pain, no gain” philosophy just leaves a lot of kids thinking, “no fun!” Summer camps are all about having fun, and they can provide both competitive and non-competitive activities for kids to try either individually, in groups or in teams.

Benefits for Body & Mind
Physically fit children perform better academically. A California Department of Education (CDE) study showed a distinct relationship between academic achievement and the physical fitness of California’s public school students. The study found that higher achievement was associated with higher levels of fitness at each of the three grade levels measured.
Exercise is also one of the most effective methods of relieving stress, burning off extra energy and relieving mild depression, according to the American Council on Exercise.
Studies show that another major benefit of summer camp is improved self-esteem, which comes partially from trying new things and learning new skills. In a recent study, 96 percent of the children surveyed said that camp helped them make new friends, and 92 percent found that the people at camp helped them feel good about themselves. Whenever kids increase competency, they feel better about themselves and this carries over to other aspects of their lives.

Choosing a Camp
Summer camp programs vary in terms of the type and intensity of exercise they offer, the food they serve, and the kind of activities provide. “The important thing is to match the program to your child,” says Townsend, who recommends asking the camp director about the types of activities offered, so you can match the program to your children’s interests and maximize their summer fun.

About ACA
For nearly 100 years, the American Camp Association has enriched the lives of children, youth and adults by promoting the camp experience. For more information about summer camps, visit www.campparent.org and www.ACAcamps.org.