The 7 Biggest Mistakes Parents Make When Choosing A Day Camp

Choosing a summer camp for kids shouldn’t be that difficult. However, if you are a newbie to the process, you want to make sure that you avoid common mistakes. Day camps for kids are a fun way to keep kids involved in activities when school is out or when they are not old enough to attend elementary school. Find out what not to do below so you can be successful when enrolling your child in a day camp. 

Choosing the Wrong Activity

To get started, you want to be sure to choose an activity that your child will enjoy. Children who like music might not want to attend a camp that focuses on sports. Be sure to choose a camp that offers an activity your child will like rather than just signing up for any of the day camps for kids. If your child is unhappy with the wrong activity, they will not enjoy their time at camp. 

Neglecting to Check the Camp Schedule

It is also important to be sure you check the camp schedule. You want to be sure the time frame of the camp will work with your schedule. It is often that parent’s sign up for a day camp only to find out they have to work during the time frame and are unable to bring kids to the day camp during operating hours. 

Forgetting Lunch/Snacks

When your child attends a day camp, be sure to find out about lunch or snack needs. You want to ensure you pack a drink, lunch or snacks when needed. This is essential to the happiness of your child as well as helping to not feel left out if they are the only child without drinks or snacks. 

Not Preparing Child for Camp

Parents should always prepare kids for camp, especially children who have never been to day camps before. Talk about the camp to your child and what they should expect. Only talk about camp in a positive manner and get your child excited about going. It is never a good idea to not discuss going to camp as you want your child to be prepared to be away from home, even if only for a few hours.

Missing Out on Pricing Deals

Another big mistake parents make is missing out on camp pricing deals. You can save money on day camps if you know how. Check in to early payment deals or early sign up discounts. The type of camp you are interested in will depend on the discount or special pricing you may be able to receive. 

Not Following Camp Rules

Another big mistake is not following camp rules. Be sure to go over the rules of day camp with your child but also know the parental rules. Perhaps parents are asked to stay out of the camp area until pick up time. Follow all the rules of the day camp so your child can have a quality experience. 

Missing Signups

If your child is excited about going to a day camp, be sure you do not miss signups. Most camps have a period in which kids can sign up for the next camp. If you miss this time frame, you may have to wait months before your child can be enrolled. Be sure to avoid missing the signup time frame so your child can experience camp.

Contact Zodiac Day Camps to learn more about quality day camps and find an option that your child will enjoy.

Tips For Teaching Your Child To Swim

If you are considering enrolling your child in a summer camp or a day camp for kids that teaches swimming lessons, or a summer camp or day camp that offers private swimming lessons, you should consider their age prior to enrolling them.  There is a great amount of research available out there that recognizes that children should be at least four years of age before attending a private swimming lesson, as typical children under the age of four years old are not yet developmentally able to learn and master the skill of swimming.  If your child falls into the age category of under four years of age, you might want to go with the option of a summer camp that helps them to swim and be safe in the pool, and then tackle some tips for teaching your child to swim. Zodiac offers classes starting at three months of age with parents and then classes for three years old and up without the parents in the water.  You can also work with your toddler on water safety, swimming readiness, and other fun games and skills in preparation for them to learn to swim.

Keep Lessons Short

Children have relatively short attention spans so shorter lessons, around 30-minutes at a time, are more beneficial to their learning the skill of swimming. This is especially true for those children aged 3-5 years. 

Incorporate Games and Toys

All children love games, right?!  Incorporating games and activities into your pool time or lessons can also help maintain your child’s attention.  A great way to do this is to use bright and colorful toys and flotation devices that catch your child’s eye and keep him/her interested.  

Utilize Appropriate Safety Equipment

The type of safety equipment you will need to use will depend on the age of your child.  research the Coast Guard’s guidelines on what size and type of life jacket your child needs based on his or her age and size.  Other safety equipment, such as PFD’s, can be purchased to help them feel safe in the water. You can also find teaching platforms that allow smaller children to stand in the water. 

Help Your Child to Feel Safe

Another tip for teaching your child to swim is to help them to feel safe around the pool and the water.  For the typical child, water is a scary thing at first, until they are used to it and become accustomed to it.  Some ways to help your child feel safe in the water are to hold them in your arms, remind them that you will always be there with them, stay close to them, and remind them that you yourself know how to swim and you are here to help.  Building trust in the water is key to the success your child will feel in the water. 

If you are looking for a great day camp for kids or summer camp in which swimming is incorporated into the curriculum and activities, Zodiac Kids (Change to Zodiac Day Camp) provides a variety of camps that are able to meet those needs.  Contact them today to speak to someone about what type of day camp or activity would be best for your child. Make sure to promote positive messages whenever dealing with the water and your children. If you ask them if they are scared or nervous, this can make them feel as if they should be. Always encourage them and reassure them as they are learning new skills.

Why Every Child Should Go To Swimming Programs

Swimming is a fun past time that individuals of all ages enjoy. When it comes to learning to swim, children should be introduced to this life skill at an early age. Children are more open to learning to swim in their younger years and will be able to quickly take to the water when introduced to swimming classes kids programs. There are many top instructors who can help your child learn how to swim, allowing them to be safe and have fun in the water. Check out the top reasons why children should go to swimming programs below. 

Life Skill

Learning how to swim is considered a life skill. From an early age, children are exposed to the water be it at summer camp, birthday parties or fun with family. Children need to learn this life skill so they can be comfortable in any body of water, whether it is a swimming pool, pond, river or ocean. 

Safety

One of the most important reasons why swimming classes for kids are so important is due to water safety. As a parent, you want your child to be able to tread water and be safe. When a child that has not been taught how to swim is exposed to water, be it for fun or by accident, they can easily drown. A child that knows how to react in certain situations will be safe and ready to enjoy the water. You will be able to rest easy knowing that your child can handle the water. Children are naturally curious and drawn to the water. Young children often times fall into swimming pools trying to play and can easily drown. When a child knows how to swim, this horrible hazard can be avoided. 

Friendships

As a child enjoys swimming lessons, they can begin to build friendships. Lessons will take place with other children of the same age, so your child can find new friends while learning how to be safe in the water. Schedule play dates at the pool and watch your child grow socially as they learn how to swim. 

New Sport Opportunities

Many children who learn how to swim like the sport so much they want to join a team or become involved in individual competitions. Over time, your child can develop a great skill in swimming and perhaps even compete on a state or national level. If your child enjoys swimming, let them cultivate their love and possibly become involved with their school or local swim team as an added bonus. 

As you can see, there are many reason why a child will benefit from swimming lessons. Allow your child to adapt to the water and be taught how to swim by a professional to be safe and have fun when enjoying water activities. This gives you peace of mind that your child has the skills they need, and they gain the confidence to enjoy the water activities around them. Contact Zodiac Swim School to learn more about swimming lesson programs and options for your child based on swim level as well as age. 

What Are The Benefits Of Swimming For Adults And Teenagers?

While you may just think of swimming as a past time during the summer, that is not the case. Swimming is great all year around with winter swim programs and indoor pools available in most areas. While your child is enjoying swimming lessons, you can enjoy swimming for a variety of benefits yourself. Here are a few of the magnificent benefits you or your teenagers can reap as a part of your swimming daily. 

Low Impact Workout

When it comes to aging, sometimes the years are not kind to your joints. This can also be true if you have a significant amount of weight to lose. By spending time in the pool, you can get a great workout that does not impact your joints like running or walking on a treadmill. Swimming offers great cardiovascular benefits and helps you get in a solid workout without feeling like you’re working out. 

Very Few Injuries

When you compare other teen sports to swimming, the sport has very little injuries. Comparing this with football, basketball, or even track, there are a much smaller number of injuries associated with swimming than the other sports available. 

Improvements Overall

There are many aspects of health that are improved when involved in winter swim programs. It can help to improve balance and stamina in yourself or your teen. Those who struggle with balance issues can also get assistance with swimming programs. Another area it will help to improve is posture in yourself and your teenagers. Teens usually struggle with this area, and so do some adults. This will help to keep them walking tall and prevent future problems down the road. 

Stay Fit and Active While Having Fun

This is a great way to stay active and healthy while you’re still having fun. As mentioned before, swimming lessons kids and adults help you to stay active and you don’t realize that you’re getting healthy. You can spend hours in the pool playing around and not realize the benefits of the exercise you just performed. Staying fit and active is important all throughout your life. If you start your children or teens young in the pool, they can keep this sport as a part of their healthy routine. 

Individual or Team Sport

This is also a sport that you can enjoy by yourself or as part of a team. There are swimming teams that travel or you can do individual workouts to get your active lifestyle on track. 

These are just a few of the amazing benefits that adults and teenagers alike can enjoy. Whether you are looking for swim lessons kids for your children or you need to learn yourself, Zodiac Swim School is a great place to explore swimming. You can learn important safety rules, how to prevent accidental drownings, and how you can enjoy swimming as a lifelong sport for years to come. Enjoy their winter swim programs this year to make sure your entire family stays fit, active, and healthy even throughout the cold winter months. 

Contact them today to see how you can get your family on the road to a healthy lifestyle.

Day Camp Helps To Increase The Activity Level In Your Child

With so many advances in technology today, it is becoming more and more uncommon for children to get out into nature and enjoy a different kind of play. While technology is great, and tablets and phones have some pretty fun and even educational games on them, getting out and enjoying nature offers a type of play that is fundamental to every child. Being in nature has an infinite number of benefits for children, and a great way to get your child to experience nature firsthand is to enroll them into a day camp for kids!  There are all kinds of day camps and summer programs for kids and you are sure to find one that your little one will enjoy and benefit from. Find out how the right camp is vital for your child. 

Sense of Independence

Day camps for kids often provide a safe environment where the children who attend can learn skills to make them more independent and build their self-confidence.  Day camps allow your child to be independent by attending without parental supervision and fostering a sense of self-worth.  They will learn new skills and interests that will help build their confidence and sense of independence. That is something that a video game will never be able to teach your child.

Social Skills

Another reason summer programs are vital for kids is because they improve social skills. Day camps for kids can introduce children to other peers their age whom they might not otherwise have the chance to come into contact with. This opens up opportunities for your child to learn more about others who are different than them, and encourage social skills.  Day camps also focus on group activities and games that challenge the children to work together to accomplish tasks. Working as a team encourages children to work together towards a common goal, teaching them how to successfully work with others in a variety of different situations, which is a skill they will always use. Summer programs and day camps for kids also create lasting friendships that can often continue outside of camp.  Children find friends in unlikely places and also make friends with others who share their common interests. Sitting inside and playing on tablets and watching television does not foster social interaction, which makes camp an obvious winner in that regard. 

Physical skills

Another benefit that day camps have over technology is that they increase the physical skills in children.  Attending a camp will almost always include numerous opportunities for your child to explore their physical ability.  From yoga, softball, basketball, swimming, martial arts, rock climbing, soccer, dodgeball and other activities. Even if your child does not participate in a sport, they can build physical skills by playing games outside and exploring nature. Challenging themselves physically helps build character in children and allows them to challenge themselves in ways they might not otherwise be able to. Summer programs for kids have the children being active for most of the day, which is also a benefit to their physical health.  

If you’re looking for a great day camp or summer program for your child in the Toronto area, contact Zodiac Kids (Change to Zodiac Day Camp) to find the best program for your child.

10 Ways To Promote Water Safety And Prevent Your Child From Drowning

Enrolling your child into a swimming program for kids is an exciting time. It means that through the swimming program or class, your child will be learning the basic skills to successfully swim and reduce their risk of drowning. It means that as a parent, you can feel more comfortable when your child is swimming in the pool, as they will know how to swim. However, while swimming programs are vital to preparing children for the pool or water, parents still need to be cautious of the risk of drowning and aware of proper water safety. Here are ten ways to promote water safety and prevent your child from drowning.  Read carefully and implemented these ten tips the next time you take your child swimming.

Supervision

While your child might have learned how to swim, it is still important to always supervise your children when they are in the water. It is best to keep your eyes on your child (Needs to be “You must keep your eyes on your children at all times”) at all times to insure your children are safe. While they might know how to swim, you will want to be aware if something were to occur, so that you could help out if needed. You should always be close enough to be able to jump in and reach out to help your child if needed.
If you do not know how to swim, be sure to only allow your children to swim where there is a lifeguard or another adult present who knows how to swim. If there is a lifeguard present, but sure they are certified before allowing your children to swim. It is also a good idea for parents to take swimming lessons themselves. This will help to ensure you and your child are both comfortable in the water. You can find a variety of these types of classes to help adults learn to swim as well.

Stay alert of weather conditions

If swimming at a pool, be aware if there is lightning (fixed spelling) or storms approaching, as it is unsafe to be in the water during a storm. The same goes for when you are swimming at the beach, as well as some additional weather conditions to be concerned about.  Strong winds can create rougher waters, and strong rip currents. Rip currents are difficult to swim in and very strong, and could easily pull a child away from your sight. Teach your child to swim parallel to the shore if they are caught in a rip current. You should also become knowledgeable about the water symbols and flags and their meanings, to keep you informed as to whether or not the water is safe to swim in. The lifeguard stand should have a colored flag indicating different conditions such as dangerous marine life, strong current, etc. in order to keep you informed.

Life jackets

If you are planning to take your children out on a boating excursion, make sure that everyone has an appropriately sized and fitting life jacket. You can find recommended life jacket sizing through the United Sates Coast Guard website.
Pool Barriers
If you have a pool at your home and smaller children, be sure to place a proper barrier around the pool, such as a fence or gate. This will prevent your child from entering the pool area without your knowledge and prevent an accident.

Learn CPR

Knowing how to perform CPR better prepares you for being able to help in the event of an accident.  There are Red Cross certified classes offered all over the country.
Review safety and rules
In any situation, whether it be at the pool, the beach, on a boat, there are safety precautions and rules that enable your child to be safe and have fun.  Review these guidelines each time you take your child swimming, so that they have it fresh on their minds.
Teach your children about 911
Always tell your children that calling 911 in an emergency is important, so that they know how to react in the event of an emergency. Reminding them of what to do before each time they go swimming is equally important.

Learn how to swim

Remember, swimming lessons are not limited to children. Many adults do not know how to swim, and as stated earlier, it is important to know how to swim when supervising your children in the water. Maybe you can take classes with your child and you two can learn to swim together.

Stay out of rough water

If you’re visiting the beach and the waters seem to be rough, stay away. Even if it is the last day of your vacation you want to be safe.

Always be alert

No matter what is going on, be alert to the surroundings. Make sure that you have your eyes on your children at all times in the water. Drownings do not always appear as they do in the movies so it’s very important to keep that watchful eye.

What Is Slowing My Child’s Progress In Learning How to Swim?

Swimming programs for kids are a great way to introduce your child to the sport of swimming or to teach them safety in the water. With a proper swimming program, your child will learn how to stay safe in the water and they will learn different swimming techniques to reduce their risk of drowning and allow them to have more fun.  Not to mention there is an added benefit that as a parent, you can now feel less worried when your child is swimming, once they learn to swim successfully. However, swimming programs can be difficult for children as well, and you might feel as though their progress is on a decline. Perhaps they started off building skills very quickly and their skills were very strong, but now you feel as though their progress has tapered off.  There are several reasons why this could occur. It is important to identify the reason your child’s progress is slowing in order to correct the problem and help them continue on to swimming success!

Interest Level
How interested is your child in the swimming lessons? Maybe he/she started out with a strong interest in learning to swim but are now not quite as interested. While pushing for them to continue the swimming lessons as a sport might not be a good idea, you should continue them in the class if they are still lacking the basic skills to stay safe in the water.  For this reason, it is important for your child to find some type of motivation and interest in order to continue the lessons. This can be accomplished by talking with the teacher about different class options they offer, so that you can find a class that might include games or toys in order to keep your child’s interest. Or perhaps the current teacher can incorporate something your child would be interested in into their lessons.

Class Size
We all know that class size can make a significant difference in how much a child is learning in an educational classroom, but class size can also impact swimming programs for kids as well.  For example, if your child is taking a class in which there are more than 5-8 children in the class, chances are the instructor is not able to dedicate as much one on one time that your child needs in order to learn as quickly as you would like for them to.  The typical swimming class should have 2-3 children per instructor, in order for all children to be kept active and learning throughout the entire class.  Consider looking into a smaller class size for your child if you notice his/her progress slowing.

Practice
We’ve all heard the saying “practice makes perfect.” If you’ve seen a decline in your child’s progress in learning how to swim, perhaps he/she isn’t practicing those skills enough at home.  As with any new skill, simply attending a class once a week is not going to do the trick. Your child will need to practice their swimming techniques on a regular basis. A way to combat this is to attend the lessons or speak with the instructor about what the lesson entailed, and then practice with your child at home. The more they practice, the better they will become and their progress should start to increase.

It is good to remember that even though your child may be quite athletic in other areas, that does not always translate over into swimming or in the pool. It is perfectly normal for children to slow down in phases of their learning. Everyone develops at their own pace and they need time to build up their endurance.

Try out one of the swimming programs with Zodiac Kids (Change to Zodiac Swim School) to help your child continue on pace and track with their swimming skills!

Tips For Teaching Your Child To Swim

If you are considering enrolling your child in a summer camp or a day camp for kids that teaches swimming lessons, or a summer camp or day camp that offers private swimming lessons, you should consider their age prior to enrolling them.  There is a great amount of research available out there that recognizes that children should be at least four years of age before attending a private swimming lesson, as typical children under the age of four years old are not yet developmentally able to learn and master the skill of swimming.  If your child falls into the age category of under four years of age, you might want to go with the option of a summer camp that helps them to swim and be safe in the pool, and then tackle some tips for teaching your child to swim. Zodiac offers classes starting at three months of age with parents and then classes for three years old and up without the parents in the water.  You can also work with your toddler on water safety, swimming readiness, and other fun games and skills in preparation for them to learn to swim.

Keep Lessons Short

Children have relatively short attention spans so shorter lessons, around 30-minutes at a time, are more beneficial to their learning the skill of swimming. This is especially true for those children aged 3-5 years. 

Incorporate Games and Toys

All children love games, right?!  Incorporating games and activities into your pool time or lessons can also help maintain your child’s attention.  A great way to do this is to use bright and colorful toys and flotation devices that catch your child’s eye and keep him/her interested.  

Utilize Appropriate Safety Equipment

The type of safety equipment you will need to use will depend on the age of your child.  research the Coast Guard’s guidelines on what size and type of life jacket your child needs based on his or her age and size.  Other safety equipment, such as PFD’s, can be purchased to help them feel safe in the water. You can also find teaching platforms that allow smaller children to stand in the water. 

Help Your Child to Feel Safe

Another tip for teaching your child to swim is to help them to feel safe around the pool and the water.  For the typical child, water is a scary thing at first, until they are used to it and become accustomed to it.  Some ways to help your child feel safe in the water are to hold them in your arms, remind them that you will always be there with them, stay close to them, and remind them that you yourself know how to swim and you are here to help.  Building trust in the water is key to the success your child will feel in the water. 

If you are looking for a great day camp for kids or summer camp in which swimming is incorporated into the curriculum and activities, Zodiac Kids (Change to Zodiac Day Camp) provides a variety of camps that are able to meet those needs.  Contact them today to speak to someone about what type of day camp or activity would be best for your child. Make sure to promote positive messages whenever dealing with the water and your children. If you ask them if they are scared or nervous, this can make them feel as if they should be. Always encourage them and reassure them as they are learning new skills.

Why Every Child Should Go To Summer Camp

For anyone who has ever been to summer camp as a child, it is easy to understand why every child should experience summer camp. If you attended summer camp, chances are you can certainly understand the benefits of a good summer program for kids. There are so many wonderful things that children can experience at a day camp and each and every child will come away with countless positive experiences that they will remember for a lifetime. For those individuals who have never experienced summer camp firsthand, they might not realize the benefits or how the positive experiences from a summer program for kids can impact a child for good. Below are some of the reasons why every child should go to summer camp, although there are many, many more!

Confidence

Day camps can provide opportunities for your child to build their self-confidence.  Summer programs for kids offer activities and programs for children that are pressure free and are geared towards fun. While many activities at camp also foster academic, team building, and competition aspects, there are no grades or expectations involved as there would be at school. This can allow your child to participate in these activities with confidence and can allow them to have fun. Camp programs, sports, and activities help your child to succeed in a variety of ways, thus increasing their confidence level tremendously!  

Independence

Summer camp can also help your child to gain independence.  Because children are at camp without parents present, they are able to go through their day without their parents making the decisions for them. Camps require children to complete daily chores, make their own decisions about what activities to participate in, and other independent living skills. These are skills that will help your child in all aspects of life.  

Friendship

Another reason all children should attend summer camp is that they will make new friendships and gain social skills. Summer programs for kids encourage children to interact with other children in a variety of activities, which helps build social skills and introduces them to new ways to make friends. Children at day camps often have to work together to complete chores and tasks, group together for activities, and learn how to resolve conflict in a respectful manner. With the variety of activities offered at day camps, children will make friends who share common interests and those friendships will be valued for a lifetime!

As you can see, there are many benefits and reasons why every child should attend summer camp, and Zodiac Day Camp offers many day camps and summer programs for kids that encourage all of the benefits in this article, and many more!  If you are searching for a summer program for your child, look no further than Zodiac Day Camp to help you find the best program for your child. Your child is sure to come back from their summer camp experience with new friends and skill that they will continue to benefit from for years to come. Sign your child up for a summer camp today!

Where We Find Inspiration For Camp Activities

One of the highlights of summer programs for kids are the activities. Children love attending day camp or summer programs and being able to participate in crafts, sports and other activities. But how do camps create new and exciting activities to enjoy each and every year? Camp counselors and organizers need to find fresh and interesting ideas to keep kids interested in taking part in activities each and every year, but how is this accomplished? It’s all about finding your inspiration. Learn how to become inspired to create unique activities for summer campers below. 

Pinterest

Pinterest has become the go-to site for camp counselors to come up with new ideas for camp activities. There are hundreds if not thousands of interesting ideas that are posted at Pinterest that can be used or even tweaked to meet your activity needs. Use the search feature to find specific activity categories of ideas with keywords such as summer camp, outdoor kid’s activities and more. The options are truly endless. Use a variety of search terms, thinking outside the box, to try and find great new activities for summer programs for kids.

Stick with Tradition

It is important for a summer camp or program to stick to tradition. While having new activities on the schedule is always fun, you want to be sure to stick with the old favorites as well. If the children look forward to swimming and archery each year, be sure to keep these activities on the roster. Returning campers will expect to be able to enjoy such activities and will be disappointed if they are not made available. 

Counselor Consult

Another great way to find inspiration is to play off of other counselors. Get together with other counselors or summer program organizers to throw out ideas. Take notes of each idea mentioned. You may be able to combine ideas or think of other alternatives based on the suggestions made. Sometimes talking out activity ideas with others can be the perfect inspiration for coming up with new and exciting activity ideas for campers to enjoy. 

Combine Activities

Give life to old favorites by combining activities. For example, kids like to play kickball and baseball. Why not combine the two? Use a kickball to play baseball, giving children a bigger target to hit and a unique way in which to play the two sports. This is just one example. Consider how you can combine games or activities into a new way of enjoying time together. Use spray paint to create giant colored circles in an area of the camp on the grass to create a life size Twister game board.  Use materials commonly found in the kitchen to experiment with science, taking your work outside so it is okay to be messy. The options are endless as you can combine and tweak activities to make camp enjoyable for the kiddos.

To learn more about various activities often found at day camps for kids, contact Zodiac Day Camp. They offer several options for day camp including a long list of specialized activities. 

Family Camp Is A Great Way to Introduce Your Child To Camp

Summer camp is an essential way that children can stay active during the summer months. Day camps for kids allow children to play and have fun with others kids their age. While it is common for young children to be away from home during the daytime hours for camp or even on overnighters, many children are not so comfortable leaving mom and dad. For parents, this can be frustrating as they want children to be able to experience the fun and excitement of camp. A quality solution is to consider family camp. Go together to show just how fun camp can be to then provide a day camp solution for your child. 

What is Family Camp?

Family camp is a variant of summer camp where children go to camp with the entire family. Brothers and sisters, moms and dads, all go together and enjoy the experience. Campers can enjoy a host of activities and dining together during the day camp. By attending the summer camp together, children can get to know what camp life is like. Parents can show children just how fun camp can be so that when day camps for kids are available, the children will be willing to go. Every family camp is different, with specific options for activities offered. Campers may take part in outdoor sports such as archery or volleyball as well as do crafts or entertainment activities together. The goal is to allow families to spend quality time together in a camp like setting.

Getting Comfortable

As your child experiences family camp, they can get to know what summer camp is really like. For most children, it takes simply experiencing something to feel comfortable. Talk to your child about how they would need to listen to counselors and discuss all the fun activities they could do. Specific camps can be enjoyed such as swimming or strictly the arts, giving your child the opportunity to enjoy the activities they love with others their own age. Talk to your child about how they can make new friends and possibly attend camp with others they already know. This can also help your child to feel more comfortable. 

Discuss Day Camp Options

Once you have attended family camp, you can bring up the idea of day camps for kids. Show your child examples of the types of summer camp options available so they can decide what camp will be the most fun for them. After experiencing summer camp, your child will know what it is like and feel more comfortable being away from home. If you allow your child to be part of the decision making process in regards to going to camp, they will be able to become excited about going on a camping adventure. 

To learn more about summer camp and the options available for children of varying ages, contact Zodiac Day Camp. With years of experience in hosting day camps, Zodiac Kids can provide quality camp options for your children. 

Things Summer Camp Has Taught Us

When summer arrives, kids are ready to be done with school and just enjoy being a kid. Parents soon find that kids become bored once school is over due to the lack of activities or scheduling. It can be difficult for parents to find activities for children to do during the summer months based on work schedules. Thankfully, there is one option that can cure summer boredom, summer camp. Summer camp is the perfect way to cure children of boredom but also teach children several things such as how to get along with others and useful life skills. Read on to see just what summer camp can teach young children. 

Friendship

From day camp to weeklong events, summer camp is a great way for children to learn how to make friends. When attending focused summer programs for kids such as swimming, children are able to get to know others who have similar interests. Kids can play and learn together, all the while creating strong bonds of friendship. Children who are shy learn how to break through their shyness by being active and with the help of other children and counselors. 

Life Skills

Summer programs for kids such as a swim day camp will help children learn life skills that are very important. It starts with listening. If a child is learning a certain craft or activity, they have to learn to listen and follow directions. Children learn how to effectively communicate as well as work with others. When you start a child in a day camp at a young age, they reap the benefits of learning several skills as well as being able to learn the actual activity. With a day camp that offers such activities as swimming, your child will not only be gaining lifelong social skills but will also be able to be safe in the water.

Sense of Achievement

By attending day camp, children can gain a sense of achievement. Whether it is mastering a new task or earning a reward for good behavior, children feel like they have accomplished something when attending day camp. When a child is young and learns how to feel achievement, they want to continue to experience that feeling. Camp can instill a sense of drive in a child that they can carry over into other areas of life such as school or extracurricular activities. 

How to Have Fun

Perhaps you have a serious child who doesn’t know how to have fun. Summer camp programs are essential in helping your child to let loose and learn how to have fun with others. Allow your child to attend a day camp to see if they enjoy the activity and social aspects and you may be surprised at just how enjoyable they find the experience. 

To learn more about day camp and summer programs, contact Zodiac Day Camps. Options are available for children to enjoy time with others as well as learn new skills. Activities vary according to the age of the child as well as camp program chosen.  

Are There Health Benefits to Snorkeling

Snorkeling involves swimming while wearing a diving mask and normally fins. This is one of the fun activities that kids enjoy in summer camps. They dive in waters to find fish, crabs, and enjoy the underwater life. The kids move in groups and have private swimming lessons before going for practicals in the waters. Even then the instructors follow them and ensure they are safe. The kids are given snorkels, fishnets and crab trappings. Other activities that come with snorkeling include hiking, collecting marine organisms, paddle boarding, and skim boarding. There are numerous advantages of snorkeling. Some of them are discussed below:

• Breathing Easy

Snorkels improve oxygen intake which is important for aerobic respiration. Professionals argue that individuals who use snorkels in private swimming lessons improve the capacity of their lungs and increase their aerobic fitness. This is because there is little resistance to breathing,  thus ‘extending the lungs’. The swimmers develop a greater chest capacity that holds more air. During competitions they are at a better chance than the rest who keep coming to the surface to gasp for breath. Toronto swimming lessons incorporate the use of snorkels for this purpose. To dive below the surface, a snorkeler takes a deep breath and holds it as he/she dives. With time, the snorkeler will develop strengthened lungs and improved cardiac response according to the experts.

• Perfect performance

For the beginners, learning how to swim using snorkels is very important. If you choose to use snorkels for private swimming lessons your performance will be superb within a very few days. Front-mounted ones allow beginners to practice pulling arms and body positioning in the water. The swimmer doesn’t have to worry about having to turn or raise his/her head to breath. By staying underwater for a long time it helps to build lung capacity and strengthen the swimmer's’ legs.

• Joint mobility

Worried about obesity, joint pains, or stiffness? Then make snorkeling your resort. It conveys health benefits to your joints and all other areas as you exercise your body. There is reduced impact force that is associated with other cardiovascular trainings i.e. jogging. Therefore, if you can’t jog then you can try snorkeling and still improve your fitness. You can choose to start with one session per day and with time as you gain experience increase the number of times per day. Snorkeling enables those who suffer from arthritis to reduce the pain that is associated with moving their joints.

• Connect with nature

Apart from what we see on a daily basis, there are other amazing natural things hidden on the seafloor. These include corals, planktons and other sea wreckages. In Toronto swimming lessons, the divers wear snorkels and spend quality time under water looking at these marvelous sights and also collecting sea organisms. They encounter these wonderful creatures and their habitat, study their adaptations, and even get to take beautiful pictures under the sea. They also go fishing, swimming, and paddle boarding.

• Better mood

The experts say that snorkeling releases endorphins which raise the mood. However, this must be practiced. The swimmers must hold and release their breath rhythmically as in medicine, in a calm way. By doing so the feeling of relaxation and peace sets in.

• Overcome fear

For those who are afraid of diving, using a snorkel is a perfect way of reducing this fear. This is because you don’t have to go very deep and also you are able to breathe through your nose as you do normally, although there is a little resistance.

Zodiac summer camp is one of the best swim schools in Canada. The kids are exposed to snorkeling, paddle boarding, and other fun activities.

Learn The Art Of Synchronized Swimming In Day Camps

Would you like to watch your kid dance or perform gymnastics in water? Well, enrolling her in summer camp programs is the first…best step! The approach used is play-based which allows the kids to learn and have fun at the same time. Normally, girls are the ones who are involved in synchronized swimming. The swimmers perform synchronized moves in water which go along with music. Apart from swimming for recreation there are also competitions held. The kids are introduced to new styles of synchronized swimming and learn more about the aquatic life in a serene environment. In Canada, this is one of the most popular summer sports.

The swimmers get a chance to learn how to control their breathing, improve their skills in floating and how to propel forward when swimming. All these skills are part and parcel of the training programs. The aim is to produce excellent characters in synchronized swimming. Kids do not need to have acquired a certain level in swimming in order to enroll, though, it would be advantageous if one is already a pro. If not, the coaches begin by training them in the basics of swimming before they proceed to the actual activities.

There are some very delicate moves which are taught, therefore flexibility, precision and proper timing are very important. During lifts, around six swimmers form the base and one or two act as flyers. They aren’t supposed to touch the floor of the pool and yet expected to make amazing uplifts. It takes courage and great perseverance to perform these daring stunts. The kids move from one level to another in training and also in competition. All these levels help improve speed, strength, stamina and suppleness. Teamwork is also very crucial since everyone in the team has a contribution to make when it comes to performance.

To attend synchronized swimming programs, a swimmer is expected to be in full outfit for swimming i.e. swimsuit, swim cap, nose clip and goggles in all classes. The nasal clips prevent pool water from entering the nasal cavity during downward and upward movements. For competitors, they have an extra clip which is attached on the suit for emergency, in case the one they are wearing falls off.

The swimmers gel their hair with gelatin to help hold it together. Normally, the competitors are usually seen with heavy makeup on their faces. This is to portray the emotions in the music being played. There are some speakers placed under the water. This enables the swimmers to hear the music and respond appropriately. Also, during practice programs the coaches use these speakers to communicate with the trainees.

There are over a hundred swimming positions that are taught when they attend the synchronizing swimming programs. However, they aren’t expected to know all of them. Some of these positions include ballet leg, flamingo, bent knee, back layout, front layout and split position.

The swimmers follow certain routines during practice including leg movements and stroke sections. The routine normally involves throws or lifts such as throwing one person out of the water (lift). Swimmers are synchronized to the music and to each other. To achieve astounding scores impression, synchronization, patterns and skills are very important.

Zodiac Summer Day camp offers synchronized swimming alongside other fun activities for kids. This camp is one of the best having topped the list for 2015. In 2016 they have gone an extra mile introducing more fun activities such as science and magic in their programs.  You won’t want to miss out!

Exploring Science And Rocketry in Day Camps

There are so many activities that take place in day camps. Science and magic being one of these activities play a big role for fun and education. Through these activities campers discover many things and at the same time making great masterwork, visiting dream lands and getting acquainted with great scientific tricks. The kids build items  like ‘skyscrapers’, underwater creatures, and play monster games.

Summer camps for kids allow them to rediscover their hidden talents and grow them. Campers are taught moves to become action heroes. In kids camp Toronto, the campers are taught how to enhance their superhuman abilities through tricks, hence to be able to do extraordinary things. In the cause of training they come across different animals with astonishing characteristics. They are taught many things pertaining to these creatures and learn the magic behind what they see. In the field of science, their skills are put into task by building rockets and other robots. Upon successful completion, they are awarded badges as a sign of excellence.

When I was in lower grades, my mom always insisted on washing my hands with soap before eating to ‘remove micro-organisms’. I always wondered where these organisms were because I couldn’t see them. In the summer camps for kids, the children get to understand many things pertaining microbes i.e.  adaptations, their structure, and have great fun as they view them under microscopes. They view live micro-organisms on their skin and learn to appreciate their parents’ reasoning like I finally did. They get to see and learn about different kinds of animals (reptiles, mammals, birds and amphibians).They discover the adaptations of these animals and their amazing behaviors under various weather conditions.

The children get an opportunity to ‘dig for dinosaurs’. Learn more about how they walked, what they ate, about their eggs and their bones. They get to ask the frequently asked question of whether the dinosaurs actually breathed fire. Apart from studying the dinosaur, they also meet other animals that resemble dinosaurs such as the lizards, geckos, crocodiles and alligators.

Apart from field activities, day camps for kids have other activities that take place indoors. For instance, the kids conduct lab experiments in the field of science and physics. They create polymers, build the solar system models, air cannons and conduct simple chemical tests such as chromatography.

New ideas come from tinkering and being innovative. For the lovers of science, this is a perfect opportunity to keep their minds and hands at work. Whatever they have ever imagined (however crazy the idea is) is put to test. They make gadgets, build contraptions and other technological equipment. The kids undertake challenges and the winners are rewarded.

Summer camps for kids would not have full fun if magic is not incorporated in the program. The campers are taught the science involved in various wizard tricks, learn how to mix potions, create mystery and also acquire the power of the air by riding hovercrafts and also learn how to create illusions that confuse people from well qualified wizard masters.

In some day camps for kids, they are taught about space trooping. This, however is limited to the tweens and older kids. The troopers hold competitions, work with droids, and launch their own rockets and design space suits. They are also taught how to defy gravity by using catapults, roller coasters and flying machines.

Come and experience great fun in science and magical world at Zodiac day summer camp this summer. They also offer other activities such as swimming, martial arts, various sporting activities, arts, fashion designing, and so many other fun activities.

Enhance Your Child's Talents Through Performing Arts

Encouraging children to engage in performing art at a tender age is very crucial in the development of the child. It enables the child to grow mentally, apart from increasing his/her employment opportunities later in life. According to the Arts Education Partnership, children who are exposed to arts in school are more skillful in reading, mathematics, and writing. This can be explained by the fact that the child is exposed to instructions used in arts that form the basis for reading and writing.

In many camps, summer camp programs have been designed to include performing arts. Some of these art activities include dance, opera, magic, music, spoken word and circus arts. These summer camp activities have numerous benefits for your kid and therefore I’d urge parents to allow their children to participate in them when they are on summer break.

The advantages of exposure to art spread from school to the locality. These children find an engagement with the society through the services they offer. For instance, volunteering to entertain the public during public events, and civic education on various issues through theater performances. Also these children may end up taking political roles in the society.

Communication skills of these children is improved through exposure and practice. Have you ever attended a music or spoken word competition and seen these kids perform? I am sure you will be surprised by the level of courage and mastery of language. All this goes on to helping them later in life when they stand to address a gathering. Thanks to the summer programs for kids which provide an ample environment for them to develop their artistic talents. The child is also able to learn some elements of nonverbal communication (body language). Through experience they are able to know the meaning of the various body movements. The summer camp programs have lessons where the children are taught these skills so that they can portray them correctly in dances or music.

According to the CDC there are about 18% of children in the adolescent stage who are obese. Involvement in physical activities such as dancing and circus can be key to helping the children stay healthy as they are able to burn the extra calories in the body. Also these activities will help reduce stress and anxiety which contribute to obesity.

Performing arts broaden the kid’s horizons in terms of creativity. The child develops a different approach to everything in life. Although during summer camp activities they are taught many things involving innovation and creativity, the child in time learns how to solve everything by himself/herself without having to consult someone. That is a mark of maturity. Is it possible to have a mature child? It is very possible. I have a conviction that maturity does not come with age but rather with the ability to solve problems without having to consult or being reminded to do so.

By working together, the children develop brilliant attributes such as accountability, dedication and teamwork. This is because many of the activities will involve collaboration, i.e. in theater where every child will have a specific role. Such children will grow up knowing the importance of collaboration and accountability to achieve success.

After looking at what your child stands to gain by developing a passion in the field of performing arts, I am convinced that you wouldn’t mind enrolling your child(ren) in the summer programs for kids this summer. I welcome you all to enroll in Zodiac summer camp where your child will be taught these and many other things by qualified professionals. Zodiac summer camp offers other programs such as science & magic, trampoline sports, and now introducing science & rocketry, fashion design, and jewelry arts.