The Benefits of Girl’s Only Camps

The first day of camp dawns, and she arrives with her mom with a stomach full of butterflies. She holds tight to her mom’s hand and eyes the other girls around her age arriving with their parents.

“I’m nervous,” she tells her mom. She thinks of the long list of exciting activities and the pictures of happy, laughing girls that helped her decide to come to this Radiant Girl’s day camp close to her home in Ontario. She wants to feel so grown-up, but now that she’s facing leaving her mom, she starts to wonder if she’s made a mistake. “You’ll be fine,” her mom says with a comforting smile. “It’ll feel strange for an hour or so, and then you’ll meet new friends and settle right in.”

She nods, takes a deep breath, hugs her mom tight, and then lets go, striding away to stand with the group that will be her companions for the week ahead. As her mom promised, within just a few minutes a few other girls introduce themselves, say they are nervous too, and ask her name. They suggest they stick together, and the knot of tension in her stomach eases.

Over the next few days, her confidence blooms. She dives into the planned activities with her new friends at her side, meeting other girls, trying new things, and discovering new things about herself.

Each day when her mom comes to pick her up, she’s a little brighter – her shoulders a little square, and has a few more stories to tell. By the end of the week, she rushes over to meet her mom, brimming with stories of things she and her new friends did, the laughs they had, and all the accomplishments she’s made thanks to the encouragement of her mentors. Her Mom can see the change – her little girl is glowing with self-assurance, appearing so much older than her 10 years through her confidence.

When she has finally said goodbye to all her friends and mentors, she leaves reluctantly and sadly, full of warm memories. 

This experience is an extremely common example of how the girls who attend our camps feel when they arrive and the transformation they’ve had by the time they leave. They go on to embrace the last of the summer and start the new school year with more confidence than ever before.

5 Key Benefits of Attending a Girls-Only Summer Camp

1. Friendship building: In a girls-only environment, campers can form deep

and meaningful connections with their peers, without the uncertainty that
comes from the gender expectations of others. These friendships are often
long-lasting and help girls develop essential social skills. They’re also a great
opportunity for girls to find new friends in the area if they are new or soon to
start a new school.

2. Developing resiliency and confidence: Camp activities are designed to
challenge girls, encouraging them to overcome obstacles and embrace new
experiences. This helps to build resilience and self-confidence. Our mentors
are compassionate and encouraging, ensuring everyone gets the opportunity
to shine.

1.  

3. Becoming independent: At camp, girls have the opportunity to make their
own decisions and solve problems, fostering a sense of independence and
self-reliance.

4. Staying active and connecting with nature: Outdoor activities at girls’
summer camps in Ontario promote a healthy lifestyle and an appreciation for
nature. Girls learn to appreciate the world around them while staying active
and engaged.

5. Learning leadership skills and self-discovery: Our camps create a space
for self-exploration, allowing girls to develop leadership skills and discover
their unique strengths and interests. At our girls-only camps, all girls are given
the opportunity to lead