Depending on what part of the world the computer that sits before you rests, winter may seem like it will never end, like it never started, or even in coming in waves. Wherever you happen to live, spring and summer are just around the corner. Following the warm air and pleasant weather comes longer days, and an end to the school year. Yes, that’s right, the calendar may say February, but it’s time to start thinking about signing the kids up for some kind of summer activity. The options are endless. Princess camps, sports camps, adventure camps, space camps. Well, this week we’re going to talk about a particular sort of summer camp that is near and dear to our hearts. That’s right, in case you couldn’t guess, we’re going to talk about the benefits of sending your child to a music camp. Betcha didn’t see that one coming. So, without further ado, here are 5 benefits of summer music camp.
- Physical & Mental Exercise
The three months off over the summer can have a surprisingly negative impact on a young students scholastic life. Many studies have shown that kids who are not involved in summer activities are in serious danger of falling behind their peers academically over the break. Other studies have shown a troubling rise childhood weight-gain while they are out of school. Camp means a chance to run, play, think, and experience, all away from the couch and all those electronic screens. The physical activity portion of summer camp is, happily, pretty universal, but music camp has an ace up its sleeve.
Not only do children get the fun of playing outside on a beautiful summer day, but they also get to play fun and interesting music, effectively exercising their brains too. Early musical training has been shown to help the areas of the brain involved in language and reasoning develop faster and more fully. Sport camps offer a lot of physical activity, and yes, a lot of thinking, but in relation to the same sport they’ve been playing. Space and science camps also offer their fare share of physical activity, and no one can deny they feed the mind as well, but this kind of learning and thinking, while vitally important, can’t compare to the development and changes within the brain that music can create.
- Builds Creativity
Summer music camps offer a wonderfully creative and fun atmosphere for children to explore and enjoy. Again, as with any other sort of summer camp, children will try new things, make friends, and have fun, but once again, music can take things on step further! The act of making music is a very creative process, one in which children learn how notes come together to create measures, and measures songs. Students learn the difference between good and mediocre writing and performance and are encouraged to apply those lessons to themselves and strive for excellence in their own work. Music helps teach kids to think creatively, solving problems by thinking about every possibility, imagining several solutions, throwing out old rules and ideas. With music there isn’t necessarily one “correct” way to do something, an important lesson that can be applied to life.
Creating music is also a very collaborative act as well, and kids at camp learn to be a part of the whole, creating something beautiful together.
- Improves Social Skills
As it turns out, that whole collaboration thing is pretty important later in life. Most summer camps have the opportunity to make new friends, to be part of a team, and to accomplish things together, but making music as a group is truly something special. Music hones teamwork skills and mental discipline. If the band is going to sound good, everyone must work together harmoniously towards a single goal: the performance. Everyone music come together make a promise to one another to learn the music, practice, and have the best performance they can. They learn to accept constructive criticism from the band leader, as well as each other, without taking it personally.
As an interesting cherry on top of the basic social skills that are learned through playing and learning as a group, music tends to have an unexpected effect on some grander social issues, specifically, how children perceive and talk about other cultures. Music gives a unique glimpse into all kinds of cultures different than our own, and children who study music early are introduced to these cultures in an exciting and engaging way. These kids learn to empathize with other cultures, fostering the development of compassion and empathy, rather than greed and a “me first” attitude. Classroom studies suggest music’s introduction to other cultures helps children bridge cultural gaps with ease, leading to respect for all peoples at an early age.
- Self-Esteem & Self-Expression
All summer camps advertise that they help children build their ever precious self-esteem. And they are all telling the truth. There’s no big secret to helping children with their self-esteem over the summer. Add children their own age, an activity everyone can excel at, add a dash of fun, and shake vigorously. Music is a little different though. Building self-esteem through sport comes from both individual skill as well as working with your team towards the same goal (pun intended), to win the game. Science or academic camps try to build self-esteem through knowledge and discovery. Music combines all of these aspects into one magical activity. Children work hard to learn their part, so they can be part of the whole, while also learning the foundations creating music, and discovering passion within themselves. It does all this through self-expression, something other summer camps don’t always focus on. As we all know, music can be a powerful force of expression, allowing us to get our emotions out when words just wont do.
- Exposes Children to Magic
There simply isn’t any other way to describe the creation of music. It’s one of the few forms of magic left in the world.
And speaking of music summer camps, The Music Studio will be hosting 3 one week camps this July! At the Creative Arts Camp children 4-6 will explore their creativity though arts and crafts, dance, outdoor activities, and of course, music! The Musical Theatre Camp is open to children ages 8 to 16, and features singing, dancing, acting, scene study, and a performance on the final day! Lastly, Rock Band Camp is exactly what it sounds like, featuring songs like “Rolling in the Deep” and “Wish You Were Here.” for more information, visit TheMusicStudio.ca
