How Summer Camp Helps Boys 8 to 11 Grow

Summer camp can help your son develop critical life skills, particularly in social relations, empathy and understanding of others, and confidence through skill building, all wrapped up in lots and lots of fun!

Understanding Your Son's Developmental Stage

Summer camp can help your son grow.As a parent of a boy between 8 and 11, you've seen your son grow from early childhood to middle childhood. Children mature at different rates, but child development experts tell us that middle childhood is a time when children generally start to build their interpersonal and social skills. They are still strongly attached to their family but making friends is becoming more and more important. They begin to identify with peers and want to fit in and not stick out. Empathy is starting to develop. They can be full of energy and excited but nervous about exploring the world. They may listen well but not remember what they've heard and can have a limited attention span. They like to learn and acquire skills and then hear how much they've improved, particularly by adults. They still look to adults for approval; however, satisfaction is shifting from getting adult approval to a sense of accomplishment. And they still like to be in organized groups with other boys.

Here's how summer camp can help your son develop age-appropriate skills:

Social Competence

Summer camp can help your son build social competence.Summer camp can help your son build social competence. Your son will live and eat with other boys who are within a year of his age. Many, if not all, of the campers will likely be new to him. Meeting new kids and living in a close communal setting under the caring supervision of trained adults provides lots of opportunity for social interaction. This also supports two of the summer camp's essential values—tolerance and respect for all. If there's a bump along the way, there's an adult nearby to help your son work through the issue. And when your son makes friends, he'll gain confidence in his social abilities. Your son will also have the opportunity to select the activities he wants, to be as active as he wants, and allowing him to be with his friends and other boys with whom he wants to be friends.

Empathy and Understanding

Summer camp can help build empathy and understanding of others. The campers with whom your son will live, eat, and play may not just be new to him, but they may come from a different state or even country and a very different background. For example, each summer we typically have some campers who come from across the U.S., and even from Europe and Asia. And even many of our counselors are here on an international cultural exchange visa. Getting to know people from different regions and backgrounds begins the process of understanding them, which in turn nurtures empathy. It's a fantastic opportunity for your son to ask himself how he'd feel in their shoes.

Confidence

Summer camp can help your son gain confidence.Summer camp can help your son build confidence. When anyone faces a challenge, especially one that's a little beyond his comfort zone, and then emerges on the other side successfully, he naturally gains confidence. He thinks, "Yeah, I can do that!" That holds true for being away from home for the first time, to new friends, to acquiring new skills. Boys 8-11 are not only a beehive of activity but think that virtually anything is possible. So let's work on empowering them now with these essential life skills and help them fill their potential!

Read more about our summer camp and watch our video!

Read more about Shaffer's High Sierra Camp and watch our video!

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If your plans change, you can get a refund before April 1st less a cancellation fee. And if you enroll on or after April 1st, you may still cancel and receive a refund if you notify the Camp within 7 days of your enrollment, or the start of camp for your child, whichever comes first, less a cancellation fee.  (See our Refund Policy.)

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Testimonials

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Kids Parents Testimonials

Our son looks forward to Shaffer's High Sierra Camp every summer! He returns home from camp asking to return the next summer for a week longer because he runs out of time and is not able to do all the activities. We also love that the camp picks and/or drops the campers off at the Reno airport.

Kids Parents Testimonials

This was our son's first sleep away camp and it was by far the best camp. He was so excited when we picked him up; he showed us the places he had gone rock climbing and led us on a hike. He had so much self confidence, respect, and patience. Shaffer's High Sierra Camp is magical.

Kids Parents Testimonials

The staff are very well trained to deal with issues that arise in childhood groups. They are supportive, encouraging and are not punitive. My child has attended two years in a row and growth and development were identified by himself and others following each time.

Kids Parents Testimonials

A wonderful camp for my daughter! She just completed her third summer and loved it. Lisa and Scott Shaffer and the whole High Sierra Camp staff do an excellent job creating a magical summer for kids of all ages. Check it out...you won't be disappointed!

Kids Parents Testimonials

This summer's camp experience at Shaffer's High Sierra Camp was the most incredible summer in every possible way for my 14 year old daughter offering the ideal balance of freedom and structure in a high energy "positive" environment that was both empowering and soulful!

Kids Parents Testimonials

My daughter had an exceptional experience at camp last summer. She met other kids from all over world, gained confidence on a mountain bike, cooled off in crystal clear mountain lakes, slept in a tipi, and her overall post-camp confidence soared. She can't wait until next summer to reunite with her camp family.

Kids Parents Testimonials

Lisa and Scott do a great job of managing their camp, their staff and providing a safe, adventurous place for campers! Our son is a child with Down syndrome and is extremely capable, athletic and independent. They make him feel welcome and ensure his success with their close supervision and supportive, enthusiastic staff.

Kids Parents Testimonials

Shaffer's High Sierra Camp has been a special place for our two kids. Each year they return home with stories of amazing adventures from rock climbing, mountain boarding, crafts, hip hop, my list could go. On top of it all they come home with dear friendships, fun memories, and an appreciation for the outdoors and others. Thank you!!!

Kids Parents Testimonials

The best memories of my childhood were being at summer camp. I wanted my daughter to have a great camp experience too, one that would help to create great memories for her. With all of the distractions (electronics!) it's important for me to be able to give my daughter an experience without phones, iPads or computers. We now lovingly refer to camp as Electronics Rehab!!! The fact that my daughter asked to stay 4 weeks instead of 2 next summer says it all.

Kids Parents Testimonials

Shaffer's High Sierra Camp has been a special place for our two kids. They come home from camp ready for the next year. Each year they return home with stories of amazing adventures from rock climbing, mountain boarding, crafts, hip hop, my list could go. On top of it all they come home with dear friendships, fun memories, and an appreciation for the outdoors and others. Thank you!!!

Kids Parents Testimonials

Great experience for all ages, safe and friendly environment that is diverse in every way. Campers immediately feel at home when they enter the camping parking. Staff and counselors greet everyone with a warm smile that is very sincere. Every year when I pick my camper up, I am told in the car ride home she wants to return the next summer!

Kids Parents Testimonials

My son and daughter were 1st time campers and both had such a great time. It was my daughters 1st over night camping experience and she really loved it. She made some great friends as well and is keeping in touch through social media. Even though there was so much to do at any time it seemed they really enjoyed the time just hanging with friends and getting to know everyone.