The 2026 OUR KIDS Private School Expo is coming to cities near you. Get your family pass
1
Camp Basics
Resilience is:
• The ability to handle setbacks and adversity—to maintain an optimistic, proactive orientation when under duress
• Willingness to take on challenges
The camp setting fosters resilience through unique experiences, to give them “coping mechanisms and stress-relieving tools,” as Tracey Grose says. Grose, along with parents and campers, explore this singularly important personality trait, with personal insights and examples. Read more
Fall - Semi-Private Basketball Training - (10-13)
Sep 14 - Nov 23, 2026
Rep teams don't have the time to work on individual skills. Give your athlete the edge with semi-private training. Visit website |
Grade 12 Advanced Functions (MHF4U)
Jul 05 - Jul 30, 2027
Meet them at the Camp Expo - Feb 21
Earn a Grade 12 math credit with the guidance of our experienced instructors. Visit website |
Winter Warm-Up - Semi-Private Basketball Training - 10-13
Nov 24 - Dec 18, 2026
Rep teams don't have the time to work on individual skills. Give your athlete the edge with semi-private training. Visit website |
Winter Warm-Up Weekly Basketball Lessons Ages 6-7
Nov 25 - Dec 20, 2026
Designed for athletes that are ready to learn team play strategies through more game-time experience and coaching. Visit website |
Winter Warm-Up - Semi-Private Basketball Training - Girls 13-15
Nov 25 - Dec 16, 2026
Rep teams don't have the time to work on individual skills. Give your athlete the edge with semi-private training. Visit website |
Thornhill Fall Weekly Basketball Lessons - Youth Ages 7-9
Sep 17 - Dec 03, 2026
Rep teams don't have the time to work on individual skills. Give your athlete the edge with weekly lessons training. Visit website |
Richmond Hill Winter Warm-Up - Semi-Private Basketball Training - 14-16
Nov 27 - Dec 18, 2026
Rep teams don't have the time to work on individual skills. Give your athlete the edge with semi-private training. Visit website |
Fall Weekly Basketball Lessons - Youth Ages 12-13
Sep 16 - Dec 05, 2026
Weekly lessons are designed to develop athletes' skills through progression-based skills and drills. Visit website |
Fall Swim Lessons (Toddler, Group, Adaptive, Semi-Private and Private Classes)
Sep 23 - Dec 20, 2026
55 minute swim lesson Siblings swim same hr using different parts of pool 50% cheaper than private programs, on par with City Visit website |
Fall Weekly Basketball Lessons - Girls Ages 7-9
Sep 16 - Dec 05, 2026
Weekly lessons are designed to develop athletes' skills through progressions-based skills and drills. Visit website |
Fall D-League - 14-16 yr old
Sep 19 - Dec 05, 2026
Designed for athletes that are ready to learn team plays strategies through more game-time experience and coaching. Visit website |
Thornhill Fall Weekly Basketball Lessons - Mini Ball
Sep 17 - Dec 12, 2026
Weekly lessons are designed to develop athletes' skills through progressions-based skills and drills. Visit website |
Winter Warm-Up Weekly Basketball Lessons - Girls Ages 7-9
Nov 25 - Dec 16, 2026
Rep teams don't have the time to work on individual skills. Give your athlete the edge with weekly lessons training. Visit website |
Fall D-League - 10-11 yr old
Sep 19 - Dec 05, 2026
Designed for athletes that are ready to learn team play strategies through more game-time experience and coaching. Visit website |
Fall Weekly Basketball Lessons - Youth Ages 6-7
Sep 14 - Dec 05, 2026
Rep teams don't have the time to work on individual skills. Give your athlete the edge with weekly lessons training. Visit website |
Richmond Hill Winter Warm-Up Weekly Basketball Lessons - Youth Ages 10-13
Nov 27 - Dec 18, 2026
Rep teams don't have the time to work on individual skills. Give your athlete the edge with weekly training lessons. Visit website |
Winter Warm-Up Weekly Basketball Lessons - Ages 14-16
Nov 27 - Dec 18, 2026
Rep teams don't have the time to work on individual skills. Give your athlete the edge with semi-private training. Visit website |
Leader-In-Training
Jul 04 - Aug 28, 2027
Meet them at the Camp Expo - Feb 21
Designed to empower youth and unlock their potential to become confident leaders. Visit website |
Winter Warm-Up Weekly Basketball Lessons - Girls Ages 10-13
Dec 06 - Dec 20, 2026
Rep teams don't have the time to work on individual skills. Give your athlete the edge with weekly lessons training Visit website |
Fall D-League - 8-9 yr old
Sep 19 - Dec 05, 2026
Designed for athletes that are ready to learn team plays strategies through more game-time experience and coaching. Visit website |
Fall D-League - 12-13 yr old
Sep 17 - Dec 05, 2026
Designed for athletes that are ready to learn team play strategies through more game-time experience and coaching. Visit website |
Winter Hockey Camps
Dec 21, 2026 - Jan 08, 2027
Meet them at the Camp Expo - Feb 21
Our Hockey Development Camp is built to help better players, and will provide hockey skills and development for all ages. Visit website |
Winter Warm-Up Weekly Basketball Lessons - Youth Ages 8-9
Nov 24 - Dec 20, 2026
Rep teams don't have the time to work on individual skills. Give your athlete the edge with weekly lessons training. Visit website |
Fall Weekly Basketball Lessons - Mini Ball
Sep 14 - Dec 05, 2026
Weekly lessons are designed to develop athletes' skills through progression-based skills and drills. Visit website |
Fall Private 1 on 1 Training - Ages 10-16
Sep 14 - Nov 23, 2026
Rep teams don't have the time to work on individual skills. Give your athlete the edge with private training. Visit website |
Back-to-School Soccer - Toronto City Sports Centre
Sep 02 - Oct 15, 2026
Program designed for players to receive specific coaching to develop their skills through games and skill building activities Visit website |
Thornhill Winter Warm-Up Weekly Basketball Lessons - Youth Ages 7-9
Dec 01 - Dec 15, 2026
Rep teams don't have the time to work on individual skills. Give your athlete the edge with weekly training lessons. Visit website |
Thornhill Fall Weekly Basketball Lessons - Youth Ages 10-13
Sep 23 - Dec 12, 2026
Rep teams don't have the time to work on individual skills. Give your athlete the edge with semi-private training. Visit website |
Fall D-League - Girls- 8-10 yr old
Sep 19 - Dec 05, 2026
Designed for athletes that are ready to learn team plays strategies through more game-time experience and coaching. Visit website |
Thornhill Winter Warm-Up Weekly Basketball Lessons - 10-13
Dec 02 - Dec 16, 2026
Rep teams don't have the time to work on individual skills. Give your athlete the edge with weekly training lessons. Visit website |
Fall Weekly Basketball Lessons - Girls Ages 10-13
Sep 20 - Nov 29, 2026
Rep teams don't have the time to work on individual skills. Give your athlete the edge with weekly lessons training. Visit website |
Winter Warm-Up Private 1 on 1 Training - Ages 10-16
Nov 24 - Dec 18, 2026
Rep teams don't have the time to work on individual skills. Give your athlete the edge with private training. Visit website |
Fall - Semi-Private Basketball Training - Teens (14-16)
Sep 14 - Nov 23, 2026
Rep teams don't have the time to work on individual skills. Give your athlete the edge with semi-private training. Visit website |
Fall - Semi-Private Basketball Training - Girls 10-12
Sep 14 - Nov 23, 2026
Rep teams don't have the time to work on individual skills. Give your athlete the edge with semi-private training. Visit website |
Fall Weekly Basketball Lessons - Youth Ages 10-11
Sep 15 - Dec 05, 2026
Rep teams don't have the time to work on individual skills. Give your athlete the edge with weekly training lessons. Visit website |
Richmond Hill Fall Semi-Private Basketball Lessons - 14-16
Sep 14 - Dec 03, 2026
Rep teams don't have the time to work on individual skills. Give your athlete the edge with weekly lessons training. Visit website |
Winter Warm-Up Weekly Basketball Lessons - Youth Ages 10-11
Nov 24 - Dec 20, 2026
Rep teams don't have the time to work on individual skills. Give your athlete the edge with weekly training lessons. Visit website |
Fall Weekly Basketball Lessons - Youth Ages 14-16
Sep 18 - Dec 05, 2026
Rep teams don't have the time to work on individual skills. Give your athlete the edge with weekly lessons training. Visit website |
Richmond Hill - Fall Private 1 on 1 Training - Ages 10-16
Sep 14 - Nov 23, 2026
Rep teams don't have the time to work on individual skills. Give your athlete the edge with semi-private training. Visit website |
Fall - Semi-Private Basketball Training - Girls 13-15
Sep 16 - Nov 18, 2026
Rep teams don't have the time to work on individual skills. Give your athlete the edge with semi-private training. Visit website |
Thornhill Fall Weekly Basketball Lessons - Youth Ages 7-9
Sep 22 - Dec 12, 2026
Rep teams don't have the time to work on individual skills. Give your athlete the edge with weekly lessons training. Visit website |
Winter Warm-Up Weekly Basketball Lessons - Girls Ages 6-7
Nov 25 - Dec 16, 2026
Designed for athletes that are ready to learn team play strategies through more game-time experience and coaching. Visit website |
Richmond Hill Winter Warm-Up Private 1 on 1 Training - 10-16
Nov 27 - Dec 18, 2026
Rep teams don't have the time to work on individual skills. Give your athlete the edge with private training. Visit website |
Winter Warm-Up Weekly Basketball Lessons - Mini Ball 4-5
Nov 24 - Dec 20, 2026
Weekly lessons are designed to develop athletes' skills through progressions-based skills and drills. Visit website |
Winter Warm-Up Weekly Basketball Lessons - Youth Ages 12-13
Nov 25 - Dec 20, 2026
Rep teams don't have the time to work on individual skills. Give your athlete the edge with weekly lessons training. Visit website |
Fall D-League - Girls- 11-13 yr old
Sep 19 - Dec 05, 2026
Designed for athletes that are ready to learn team play strategies through more game-time experience and coaching. Visit website |
Red Wolf Overnight Camp
Aug 01 - Aug 28, 2027
Meet them at the Camp Expo - Feb 21
Escape into nature, learn to live with the land, build life-long friendships, and discover your full potential. Visit website |
In-Person Violin & Viola Lessons
Oct 01 - Dec 31, 2026
Your child will be inspired to make music while learning violin skills,exploring their creativity and developing life skills. Visit website |
Outdoor School: Weekly Nature Programs
Sep 28, 2026 - Jun 04, 2027
Meet them at the Camp Expo - Feb 21
Outdoor adventures where kids explore, build skills, and grow confidence in nature through programs year-round. Visit website |
Tuba Lessons (In-Home, Online, or Studio)
Sep 15, 2025 - Dec 31, 2026
Creative Tuba lessons with professional teachers: PhD, DMA, MMus. Free 1st lesson! Visit website |
Super Scientist Summer Camp 2027
Jun 28 - Sep 03, 2027
Hands-on STEM adventures where kids build, experiment, solve challenges, and make new friends along the way! Visit website |
Kids Choir
Sep 12, 2026 - Jun 19, 2027
Your child will learn to sing as part of a group with enjoyable and engaging classes, guided by an experienced teacher. Visit website |
Weekly Pickleball Clinics (Ages: 6-8 @6 PM, 9-12 @7 PM)
Sep 16 - Dec 09, 2026
Master the court! High-energy, station-based pickleball clinics for all levels. Build skills, agility, and super fun. Visit website |
LEGO Robotics Team
Oct 08 - Dec 31, 2026
Young innovators build, code, and compete with LEGO robots while developing teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving skills. Visit website |
Executive Functions - Keys to Success - Middle School
Oct 18 - Dec 06, 2026
A game-based approach to learning executive functions in a small-group setting. Visit website |
Ukulele Lessons
Jul 20, 2026 - Jun 30, 2027
Your child will learn to play the ukulelewith enjoyable, educational and engaging lessons, guided by an experienced teacher. Visit website |
Run Wild After School Program
Sep 28, 2026 - Jun 04, 2027
Meet them at the Camp Expo - Feb 21
Each week, kids explore nature, play, learn outdoor skills, and grow confidence in a fun, supportive after-school community. Visit website |
In-Person Kidzrock Band Class
Oct 01 - Dec 31, 2026
Your child will play in a rock band while learning music skills, exploring their creativity and developing life skills. Visit website |
Bassoon Lessons (In-Home, Online, or Studio)
Sep 15, 2025 - Dec 31, 2026
Innovative Bassoon lessons with highly educated teachers: PhD, DMA, MMus. Free 1st lesson! Visit website |
Recreational Indoor League Girls (born in 2011-2016)
Nov 07, 2026 - Apr 10, 2027
The Indoor Recreational Soccer Program is designed for female players ages 10 to 15 looking to play organized soccer games. Visit website |
Intermediate Troupe (Grade 7-10) -Toronto's Premiere Advanced Musical Theatre Program
Sep 08, 2026 - May 10, 2027
We provide high-quality, innovative performing arts training to inspire artists and help students achieve their dreams. Visit website |
Canoe Tripping Camp
Jul 03 - Aug 21, 2027
Fantastic trips Visit website |
Super Kids Volleyball: Teamwork, Hustle, and Heart (Ages 6–12)
Sep 16 - Dec 09, 2026
Set, spike, and score! Our Super Kids Volleyball offers young athletes (ages 6–12) to master the Volleyball fundamentals, Visit website |
Explorer 2 Leadership Program
Jun 30 - Aug 30, 2027
For campers turning 17. A challenging 9-week program that includes an in-camp component and a 24 to 28-day canoe trip. Visit website |
Acoustic Guitar Lessons (In-Home, Online, or Studio)
Sep 15, 2025 - Dec 31, 2026
Have fun learning to strum or pick the acoustic guitar. Be the star of the campfire! Free first lesson! Visit website |
Explorer Leadership Program
Jul 03 - Aug 30, 2027
A challenging outdoor adventure for campers who love canoe tripping. Visit website |
Violin Lessons
Jul 20, 2026 - Jun 30, 2027
Your child will learn to play the violin with enjoyable, educational and engaging lessons, guided by an experienced teacher. Visit website |
Adventure Leadership Training
Jun 27 - Aug 06, 2027
Adventure Leadership Training for teens 15-17 Visit website |
Summer Camp Full Sessions
Jul 01 - Aug 23, 2027
Discover everything camp has to offer in a month or more of fun, learning, and personal growth supported by expert staff. Visit website |
Red Wolf Wayfinder Program
Aug 01 - Aug 21, 2027
Meet them at the Camp Expo - Feb 21
Wayfinders mix camping, canoeing and leadership training for the ultimate backcountry adventure. Visit website |
In-Person Piano Lessons
Oct 01 - Dec 31, 2026
Your child will be inspired to make music while learning piano skills, exploring their creativity and developing life skills. Visit website |
Senior Troupe (Grade 9-12) -Toronto's Premiere Advanced Musical Theatre Program
Sep 09, 2026 - May 04, 2027
We provide high-quality, innovative performing arts training to inspire artists and help students achieve their dreams. Visit website |
Performance Masterclass
Sep 11, 2026 - Jun 21, 2027
Gain important insights into how you perform and present onstage in this class. Get feedback on how you perform! Visit website |
Violin Lessons (In-Home, Online, or Studio)
Sep 15, 2025 - Dec 31, 2026
Highly educated violin teachers (PhD, DMA, MMus) are available to teach you or your children. Free 1st lesson! Visit website |
In-Person Clarinet Lessons
Oct 01 - Dec 31, 2026
Your child will enjoy making music while learning clarinet skills, exploring their creativity and developing life skills. Visit website |
Piano Lessons
Jul 20, 2026 - Jun 30, 2027
Your child will learn to play the piano with enjoyable, educational and engaging lessons, guided by an experienced teacher. Visit website |
French Horn Lessons (In-Home, Online, or Studio)
Sep 15, 2025 - Dec 31, 2026
Exciting and challenging French Horn lessons with highly educated teachers: PhD, DMA, MMus. Free 1st lesson! Visit website |
Youth Troupe (Grade 5-8) -Toronto's Premiere Advanced Musical Theatre Program
Sep 10, 2026 - May 22, 2027
We provide high-quality, innovative performing arts training to inspire artists and help students achieve their dreams. Visit website |
Voice Lessons
Jul 20, 2026 - Jun 30, 2027
Your child will learn to sing with enjoyable, educational and engaging lessons, guided by an experienced teacher. Visit website |
Weekend Wanderers
Oct 03, 2026 - Jun 06, 2027
Meet them at the Camp Expo - Feb 21
Spend your weekends exploring Toronto parks through play, nature crafts, games, stories, and seasonal adventures. Visit website |
In-Person Guitar Lessons
Oct 01 - Dec 31, 2026
Your child will be inspired to make music while learning acoustic or electric guitar skills and developing their creativity. Visit website |
In-Person Flute Lessons
Oct 01 - Dec 31, 2026
Your child will enjoy making music while learning flute skills, exploring their creativity and developing life skills. Visit website |
Summer Camp Half Sessions
Jun 01 - Aug 11, 2027
A 2 week long taste of everything camp has to offer. Daily activity selection, overnight canoe trip, and oodles of safe fun! Visit website |
Weekly Evening Pickleball Clinics (Fall Session) (Ages 13-15 @8 PM)
Sep 16 - Dec 09, 2026
Our Pickleball program is designed to turn every camper into a court hero! Visit website |
In-Person Vocal Lessons
Oct 01 - Dec 31, 2026
Your child will be inspired to make music while learning vocal skills, exploring their creativity and developing life skills. Visit website |
In-Person Drum & Percussion Lessons
Oct 01 - Dec 31, 2026
Your child will be inspired to make music while learning drum skills, exploring their creativity and developing life skills. Visit website |
Red Wolf Overnight Camp Leaders in Training (LIT) Program
Jul 28 - Aug 28, 2027
Meet them at the Camp Expo - Feb 21
Designed for teens passionate about developing leadership skills, self-growth, and practical expertise in the wilderness. Visit website |
Advanced Teen Troupe (Grade 9-12) -Toronto's Premiere Advanced Musical Theatre Program
Sep 08, 2026 - May 02, 2027
We provide high-quality, innovative performing arts training to inspire artists and help students achieve their dreams. Visit website |
Teen Wilderness Adventure
Oct 16, 2026 - May 09, 2027
Meet them at the Camp Expo - Feb 21
Four weekends of wilderness adventure, outdoor skill-building, and mentorship that help teens gain confidence and independenc Visit website |
Outdoor School LIT (Leaders in Training)
Oct 06, 2026 - May 30, 2027
Meet them at the Camp Expo - Feb 21
Build outdoor skills, confidence, and leadership through hands-on adventures, mentorship, and community. Visit website |
Recreational Indoor League Boys (born in 2011-2020)
Nov 07, 2026 - Apr 10, 2027
Our Indoor Recreational League Program is all about playing the game in a fun, low-pressure environment. Visit website |
Guitar Lessons
Jul 20, 2026 - Jun 30, 2027
Your child will learn to play the guitar with enjoyable, educational and engaging lessons, guided by an experienced teacher. Visit website |
In-Person Trumpet, Trombone, French Horn, Baritone & Tuba Lessons
Oct 01 - Dec 31, 2026
Students will be inspired by music while learning brass skills, exploring their creativity and developing life skills. Visit website |
Other results on this page:
“Learning to rock climb is not a life skill,” says Shari Stoch, director at Camp Kodiak, “but learning to take risks is.” By that she doesn’t mean putting ourselves in danger, but rather understanding that some experiences aren’t comfortable. “Learning to persevere through that discomfort and take those risks is going to be really important for their success long term.” Discomfort can be taking part in a canoe trip, but it can also simply be getting used to working with others or participating in games. “If a child is uncomfortable socially,” says Stock, “and we rescue them from every situation, we’re really setting them up for a lot of loneliness.”
Developing resilience is important, though she feels that how we develop it is important too. Stoch believes it should never be sink or swim but instead scaffolding from one success to the next. She continues using the example of rock climbing, noting that if a child approaches the climbing wall, too often it can seem that there are only two options: You get to the top, or you don’t. “What the camper needs to understand,” says Stoch, “is that there’s lots of things between those two.” The first step may be simply putting on a harness, maybe climbing a few feet off the ground, or even just touching the wall. “Each of those steps is a success. Each of those steps is taking a risk, going a little bit past where they’re comfortable, toward a goal that feels unachievable.” She sees that as, ultimately, the most important thing. “Learning that you can do hard things is a really important goal.”
Tracey Grose defines resilience as the ability to “go forward in spite of difficulties” and, while they might seem small—dealing with a day of rain, being able to lose or win gracefully, taking a try at the rock-climbing wall—those experiences condition us for how to deal with the larger challenges when they arrive. As a parent, Grose acknowledges there’s a temptation sometimes to step in to help your child feel successful and comfortable. As a clinical social worker, she knows it’s important to let them learn what they need to succeed on their own.
“Children with resilience or ‘grit’,” she says, “have the ability to persevere in face of challenges.” As a parent, she acknowledges there’s a temptation to step in to help your child feel successful and comfortable sometimes. It’s important to let them learn what they need to succeed on their own. “If we always rescue them and solve problems for them, they don’t develop that internal drive to overcome difficulties and persist.”
This ability to persevere, adapt or ‘bounce back’ in spite of difficult situations and experiences can benefit kids and teens in many different situations. Examples include the transition from elementary to high school, conflicts with peers, or demanding assignments at school. The ability to persevere in the face of adversity is a tool critical to a child’s development, one they develop at camp.
Resilience gives children coping mechanisms that will be useful in the event of challenging situations. This will likely result in regulated emotions, stronger mental health, dedication to tasks and the ability to communicate thoughts and feelings when faced with difficulties or tasks they find hard to manage.
At camp, they develop independence and, over time, coping mechanisms and stress-relieving tools are learned. These tools will be useful in their day-to-day lives when they grow older.
Chantal Vaidyanath saw daughter Kavya develop resilience during her time at Rooks to Cooks camp. It was as simple as persevering through challenges of learning and cooking new recipes, but this skill helped Kavya work her way through the stress of the 2020 coronavirus quarantine.
“I think [resilience] is important in a child’s life because they’re going to experience many challenges. The world around them is constantly changing. If they have resilience, they’re going to be able to roll with the punches, [move] forward and continue to pursue their goals,” says Vaidyanath, adding that resilience benefits both mental and physical health, too. “Children who are more resilient [are] less likely to have mental and social difficulties like anxiety or succumbing to peer pressure,” she explains. “From a physical perspective as well, a child who is resilient would be more likely to keep in mind that, even though they’re getting really busy, they still need to be able to take care of their physical health, exercise and things like that.”
Tracey Grose believes that when children learn how to be resilient and persevere through responsibilities they have difficulty performing, they’ll develop a well-rounded experience in their lives. They’re “learning to care for [themselves], care for the environment, care for [their] daily living and pursue [their] interests.” This leads to the development of a well-rounded person, she says, “[because they’re] learning how to manage time and still be successful.”
Camp offers kids a variety of opportunities to develop resilience. It’s important for a child to develop this skill at a young age so they have a foundation to build from. At camp, they develop independence and, over time, coping mechanisms and stress-relieving tools are learned. These tools will be useful in their day-to-day lives when they grow older and face hardships in adulthood.
“Camps ... are a time for a child to enrich their experiences,” says Grose. The environment focuses on developing specific strengths and interests a child may have. Grose believes that children should be given every opportunity to discover and nurture strengths and interests. “Every child has gifts and talents,” she says. “They need to ... be given adequate opportunity to practice them to a certain level of proficiency so they can say, this is me. This is what I’m strong at.”
Stoch agrees. “We need to find the things our kids are great at, and we need to let them do those things over and over again.” Because all the strength they get from those experiences—the sense of mastery, confidence, participation—will be what they draw on when they approach challenges and difficulties. “Imagine what kind of payout you can get,” she says, “for accomplishing something you previously thought was impossible.” When kids try new things and challenge themselves, they learn, says Stoch, “that what feels like a limit is actually only just a starting point."
When a child discovers and develops their individual strengths, they grow in confidence and through that, develop resilience. “If their strength is athletic [or] in the arts, music, performance, [etc] then when they do something with a certain level of confidence or success ... it’s fuel to their engine.” Camps that provide a focus on the development of unique and individual skills are particularly good at this.
Chantal Vaidyanath also believes that, “the camp environment is really important for kids to develop resilience because they don’t have the usual support and guidance from their parents.”
Children develop resilience through a camp atmosphere, too, she thinks, because they’re interacting with others, listening to their instructor and working with others in the camp. Camp is beneficial for the development of resilience because children learn “how to solve new problems and face new challenges that they might not really be faced with at home.”
Grose sees her own eldest son, who has a learning disability, as an example of resilience. His reading comprehension is slower, so he requires time to decode and process language. Since the reading-and-writing structure of school was unrewarding to his particular learning style, she sees resilience in his ability to persevere through public education. Her family has also explored various options to assist his learning style and help him move forward in spite of any difficulties.
“He’s brilliant in music,” she says. “We’ve always done a lot to make sure he gets to explore his strengths in music, which builds his confidence.” Rather than solely focusing on strengthening his reading or writing skills, they’ve exposed him to audio books and supported his participation in music lessons, with great results.
“If we only focus on one source of reward or success for a child and they aren’t necessarily gifted in that area, there can be a whole loss of self-concept if they’re just not good at math or English ... My son’s very good at music, he knows that that’s his niche ... And his success can come from a combination of talents.”
Chantal Vaidyanath attests to the way camp built up Kavya’s resilience to solve problems and face challenges on her own. She witnessed this increased inner strength in early 2020 when there were many “changes in [our] home due to the coronavirus quarantine. Kavya quickly adapted to doing school online and she was better prepared for her online classes. Chantal could see that “she’d learned a lot about etiquette.”
The increased independence and personal responsibility that kids experience at camp is an important part of developing resilience. Grose also recommends that parents give kids independent responsibility as a way of fostering resilience.
She begins to explain, “if they’re 2 or 3 years old, they can pick up toys and put them back in the toy box. At 4, they can make their bed.” A good rule-of-thumb is to increase responsibility when your child’s physical ability increases. Grose emphasizes that the value in this lesson is not for compensation or reward, but to teach resilience and responsibility. In this, it’s important that parents give positive reinforcement and support. “Some people have an idea that criticism or correcting is part of parenting,” she says, “[but] we definitely get more bees with honey. We get more success with positive reinforcement.”
When you provide a support network for your child, they know they can communicate their thoughts and feelings to you and aren’t navigating adversity alone. When you praise them for persevering through their challenges, you encourage more of this behaviour, which turns into habit, and your child will continue to develop resilience. Grose also recommends conducting a cognitive and learning disability assessment if you notice your child having more difficulty with certain tasks. This can indicate a neurological underpinning that makes it harder for your child to focus or complete their duties. As a professional, she affirms the value of assessments, and if you follow the recommendations of psychologists and counselors, your child will develop deeper emotional well-being and resilience. “There’s no limit to how much they can achieve,” she says, “as long as they have the right tools in place.”
Both Grose and Vaidyanath affirm the value of camp, as well as summertime or after-school activities, which offer children a setting that fosters independent activity. This setting helps them gain confidence and resilience, as they explore their own strengths and interests.
How many Camps that build resilience are there?
There are 93 camps that are Our Kids trusted members. Use the filters to narrow by age and program type, then click on matched programs to see daily activities, dates, rates and registration information.
What are the fees to attend Camps that build resilience?
Fees for camps that help kids grow in resilience range from $35 to $14,750 per program (program types and lengths vary). Use the filters here to narrow programs by age and type.
Where can parents meet with Camps that build resilience?
Meet with program directors and staff at the Our Kids Camp & Program Expo. The Expo is held annually in February, and is a fun and informative day for parents, kids, and teens. Find event details and free tickets here.