The Outdoor Foundation reported that slightly over half of Americans participated in outdoor activities in 2019⁽¹⁾. Could hiking trails, swimming in wild water, and pitching a tent benefit a child physically and mentally?

Camping, which includes outdoor workouts through walking on rough terrain, swimming in lakes, and building a campfire, provides many physical benefits for kids.

As a parent in the Great Outdoors, you must also be prepared when going camping with kids. For example, for your peace of mind, you can use a remote smart camera for security. You can also have natural remedies handy to calm down kids with special conditions like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Here are some of the main mental benefits of kid camping. 

Benefit #1: Building Self-Esteem

Camping gives children the ability to achieve goals. For example, they can make a painting, catch fish, or do light exercise to experience the psychological benefits of yoga.

Research shows that self-esteem and the accomplishment of goals may be linked to academic achievement⁽²⁾.           

Self-esteem is critical for kids since they make decisions based on how they perceive themselves. Improving young children’s decision-making skills seems to also improve their self-esteem⁽³⁾, according to studies.

Taking action, achieving results, and contributing to their community can help youngsters learn self-esteem. The achievement kids obtain through camping can help them value themselves more.

Benefit #2: Providing “Green” Exercise

Exercise can relieve anxiety and depression in people⁽⁴⁾, improving one’s outlook on life. Outdoor exercise through activities like walking, swimming, and horse-riding adds a natural element.

The color theory is based on the scientific fact that eyes adjust when perceiving colors of different wavelengths⁽⁵⁾. Cool colors in green leaves, for example, have a shorter wavelength, so they can create a calming effect⁽⁶⁾.

Blue is another cool color, so a blue environment may have a similar effect on people’s moods. Camping kids can view several blue spaces, including a blue sky, lake, or river.

Even a violet flower’s petals can have a similar impact since it’s a cool color.    

Benefit #3: Boosting Self-Discipline in ADHD Kids

Several children, including those with ADHD, struggle with impulse control⁽⁷⁾. This issue can affect aspects of their lives like school learning if they can’t pay attention in class.

Studies show that green space can boost kids’ self-discipline and increase focus⁽⁸⁾.

Parents have reported that their ADHD kids also show fewer ADHD symptoms when they engage in outdoor activities versus indoor ones⁽⁹⁾.

These results may help children’s school performance if they can concentrate better and display more self-control in the classroom.

Benefit #4: Natural Cure for the Mind

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates Americans typically spend about 90% of their lives indoors⁽¹⁰⁾. This statistic is in sharp contrast to early humans that spent much of their day hunting, fishing, and farming.

The scientific world has underestimated how much our physical environment affects the human brain. This phenomenon is particularly true in terms of elements in the natural world like forests, water, and animals.

        Research shows that more contact with nature during the early years seems to make it easier for kids to reduce the psychological stress of modern life⁽¹¹⁾. Outdoor activities like camping may help.

Holding one class per week outdoors can help to improve children’s patterns of the stress hormone cortisol⁽¹²⁾.

Benefit #5: A Good Night’s Sleep

Like adults, kids need to get enough shut-eye at night. Their age determines the general amount required⁽¹³⁾.

         A University of Colorado at Boulder study showed that camping could reset your biological clock and help you fall asleep⁽¹⁴⁾. 

This result is partly due to the campers’ exposure to natural light. Scientists found that humans’ circadian rhythms (internal clocks) respond strongly to natural environments of light/dark cycles⁽¹⁵⁾.

Past research has established that getting enough sleep is critical for good health and wellbeing. Is your child often tired and grumpy? If so, then options like summer camp may be what they need.”

Benefit #6: Encourages Children to Be Independent

Camping can provide your kids with the opportunity to wake up and have their own outdoor adventure. Children typically don’t have this much freedom in their day-to-day lives.

When you’re camping, you’re less confined than when staying in a hotel, for example. You and your children can explore your world, whether it involves mountain climbing or bird watching.  

Even simple activities like roasting marshmallows while sitting around the campfire can help rejuvenate kids’ minds.

The process is like pressing a smartphone reset button. A camping adventure gives kids a well-deserved break from things like school schedules and staying indoors.

Bottom Line

Camping isn’t only about your kiddos getting some exercise and fresh air. It could also provide several benefits that improve their mood, focus, and attitude, enhancing their schoolwork and home life. Everyone can be a happy camper.  

References

1. Outdoor recreation faqs

2. The relationship between self-esteem, achievement goals, and academic achievement among the primary school students

3. The relationship between young children’s decision making ability and self-esteem

4. Depression and anxiety

5. Color theory

6. Ibid

7. Understanding attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder from childhood to adulthood

8. Views of nature and self-discipline

9. A potential natural treatment for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

10. Indoor air quality

11. Green schoolyards as havens from stress and resources for resilience in childhood and adolescence

12. Stress in school

13. How much sleep do babies and kids need?

14. Can’t get to sleep? A wilderness trip can help

15. Ibid.