Fresh air, cabins, games, s’mores, and new friends can all be found at summer camps.

One facility in Washington County offers a variety of camping experiences for kids of all ages – Crooked Creek Christian Camp. The facility is about 300 acres and has a variety of activities for all ages. Megan Miller with Crooked Creek Christian Camp says there are many benefits to summer camps for youth, including getting away from social media and screens, being in fresh air, trying new activities, and getting out of the normal routine.

A summer camp may be some children’s first time away from home without their parents. Miller says, “I would encourage parents to try it, because, I think, kids are able to adapt better than they think. We recognize that homesickness is a very real thing and we don’t ignore that, but sometimes once they’re there and they see other kids having fun, and they’re not reminded that they’re parents aren’t there, they can sometimes just get into the groove and go with it.”

Miller adds some attendees learn more about who they are, “Some of my favorite quotes are from campers who don’t feel like they have a space at school where they can be themselves, but at camp they are able to find people where they can feel they can be who they are. … I believe camp is a space where you can kind of reinvent yourself. You’re in school every day, which is great, but camp offers different scenery and a different place to explore who you can be.” She says some of those friendships can last a lifetime, the friendships made between campers, and those made among the counselor staff.

For more information about summer camps listen to the Washington Page with Miller at KCIIRadio.com.