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Evidence-based benefits of summer camp for kids and teens (with statistics)

June 4, 2026

Summer camp has a way of transforming kids in all the best ways. One minute, they’re unsure about trying something new, and a few weeks later, they’re more confident, more independent, and full of stories you never would’ve expected. And it’s not just something parents and caregivers notice. Research from the American Camp Association’s National Camp (ACA) Impact Study actually shows that 92 percent of campers report positive personal growth after camp experiences.

We’ll unpack those benefits here, layer in what our counselors at Appel Farm Arts Camp have noticed over the years, and help you see what this kind of experience can look like for your child!

Table of contents

• What are the main advantages of summer camp?
• What is the long-term impact of summer camp on the youth?
• Does an overnight arts summer camp have more advantages than day camps?
• Is your child ready for a summer full of growth and creativity at Appel Farm?

What are the main advantages of summer camp?

Summer camp helps kids and teens grow holistically: socially, emotionally, academically, physically, mentally, and creatively. All of this growth happens in a way that conventional learning environments or traditional schools simply can’t replicate.

Some of the ways summer campers experience growth are:

• Social: They make new friends (sometimes from totally different backgrounds) and learn how to connect, communicate, and just get along with all kinds of people.
• Emotional: They try things that feel a little scary at first and come out the other side more confident, resilient, and sure of themselves.
• Academic: They pick up problem-solving and decision-making skills without it even feeling like formal “learning” (no desks required).
• Physical: They’re up, moving, and active: running around, playing sports, and getting all that good outdoor energy out.
• Mental: They take a break from screens, reset, and learn how to be more present and focused.
• Creative: They get to explore, create, and try new things, like art, music, sports, or something completely brand new.

Sounds promising, right? Let’s take a closer look at each area of growth.

What are the social and emotional benefits of summer camp?

Camp strips away a lot of the noise that gets in the way of genuine connection. Appel Farm doesn’t allow access to data or Wi-Fi, which means no social media or distractions. This way, kiddos get to focus on camp life more fully.

Here, campers share meals, solve problems together, resolve disagreements, and show up for one another in small but meaningful ways every single day. This lived experience is where empathy and emotional intelligence develop among our campers.

Confidence grows at camp, too, especially if kids are encouraged to try out various activities that help them discover or improve their talents and abilities. Additionally, campers are responsible for themselves in a new environment, away from parents and familiar comforts. This helps them develop a sense of self-reliance they may not have realized they even had!

Studies suggest that even a short, two-week camp experience can lead to meaningful growth, helping kiddos become more empathetic, better at managing their emotions, more optimistic and confident, and more prepared to actively engage with and contribute to their communities. 

Additionally, there are also findings about how overnight summer camps deepen a person’s connection to nature and inspire lifelong environmental stewardship. 

What are the cognitive and academic benefits of summer camp?

Summer learning loss happens every year. This is when kids slide backward academically over the long break. Camp solves this issue by keeping kids actively engaged in fun and challenging activities.

In fact, 76 percent of campers report learning something new during their camp experience. This type of learning that happens through the act of participating, creating, and performing tends to stick in a way that passive memorization simply doesn’t.

Spending time outdoors is also incredibly important for youth, since time spent in nature helps reset and support how brains function. Studies, including a 2019 review by University of Chicago psychologist Marc Berman, found that access to green spaces is linked to improved cognitive development in children and better self-control when kids regularly see or interact with nature near home or school.

With 110 acres to explore, every day at Appel Farm is an opportunity to connect with nature!

What are the physical health benefits of summer camp?

The realities of growing up today often lead to more passive time, whether that’s at school, doing homework, or on screens. 

At Appel Farm, we intentionally design days that get kids up and moving!

A camper’s daily schedule is filled to the brim with movement, especially if a camper chooses Dance, Sports, or Technical Theater as one of their Majors.

According to research, around 64 percent of campers improve their physical fitness. But beyond fitness numbers, kids remember what it feels like to live in their bodies. To move and have fun in the most active way possible!

What are the mental health benefits of summer camp?

Camp gives kids something they don’t always get in their everyday routines: a relaxed break. This gives them a chance to step away from screens and school pressure.

According to research by the ACA, camp environments help support kids’ mental and emotional well-being. Camp creates space for kids and teens to build resilience, confidence, and self-awareness through real-life experiences and relationships. In fact, over a five-year study period, 58 percent of young campers said camp helped them see the value in appreciating and staying in the moment, something many kids find difficult during the school year.

At Appel Farm, our values include prioritizing campers’ mental health. Our staff is trained in mental health first aid, and we intentionally create a space where every camper feels welcome and supported. That means building a space that’s radically supportive, accessible, neurodiverse-affirming, and inclusive, so every kid can show up as themselves and feel like they belong.

What are the artistic and creative benefits of summer camp?

Creative kids grow when they’re surrounded by like-minded artists in an environment that makes it easy for them to experiment with different art forms and express themselves fully. At an arts-focused camp like Appel Farm, we treat artmaking as a healing practice and a tool for self-discovery. 

At camp, kids are constantly engaged in hands-on, interest-driven activities. Research shows that strong camp experiences are rooted in engagement, belonging, and experiential learning, all of which help young people discover their interests and build a stronger sense of self. 

Across Music, Theater Performance, Visual Arts, Creative Writing, Media Arts, Photography, and more, campers at Appel Farm are constantly exploring in a non-competitive environment. And through that exploration, they’re building confidence and figuring out who they are. 

Art has always been one of the most powerful tools for that kind of self-discovery. We just get to watch it happen every summer!

What is the long-term impact of summer camp on the youth?

Summer camp’s impact doesn’t end with the season.  It can last for years. High-quality experiences foster lasting growth in independence, social awareness, and confidence that extend far beyond camp.

What does that actually look like in real life?

• Kids are more willing to try new things, even outside their comfort zone
• They develop and maintain good self-esteem and self-concept
• They handle challenges with more confidence and resilience
• They build stronger, more meaningful friendships
• They step into leadership roles at school or in their communities
• They develop a clearer sense of who they are

These gains are actually interconnected. Better self-esteem feeds stronger relationships, stronger relationships build social confidence, social confidence feeds independence, and independence builds resilience. It’s a positive feedback loop, and camp is what starts it spinning!

Does an overnight arts summer camp have more advantages than day camps?

Both day camps and overnight camps can be great experiences. But there’s something a little different that happens when kids stay at an overnight camp.

Overnight camp is a full experience that kids live in for weeks on end. They’re chatting at breakfast, laughing in their bunks at night, and everything in between. Along the way, they’re making friends and trying new things. And because it’s a constant immersion, those skills stick.

Longer, more immersive camp experiences are linked to stronger growth in independence, social skills, and confidence. Since kids are fully living in the camp environment, they have more opportunities to make decisions, solve problems, and build self-reliance in a safe, supportive setting.

And when you add the arts into that environment, it becomes even more impactful!

Summer arts camps are a natural fit for social-emotional learning (SEL). They give kids, especially those who may struggle in school or lack access to the arts, a chance to express themselves, build friendships, and grow their confidence. For children who may struggle in traditional school settings or lack access to the arts, this kind of environment can be especially transformative.

Is your child ready for a summer full of growth and creativity at Appel Farm?

Since 1960, everything we do at Appel Farm is designed to bring these benefits to life for every camper.

Our campers build confidence, find their people, and discover new ways to express themselves through art-making and community-building. It’s the kind of experience where kiddos come home a little more independent and more sure of who they are.

And, of course, we have to mention the fun parts! Kiddos can create art in the studio, dance onstage, play sports in the grass under the sun, and discover new activities to try out. Every day brings something new!

If that sounds like the kind of summer you want for your child, we’d love to welcome you into our community!