Camp experiences for children with ADHD that focus on outdoor adventures.

Discover the Healing Power of Nature for Kids with ADHD

The great outdoors can be a natural treatment center for ADHD, providing incredible experiences for kids. According to a national study published in September 2004, green outdoor settings can reduce ADHD symptoms in children across a wide range of individual, residential, and case characteristics. Richard Louv’s book, “Last Child in the Woods,” even introduces the phrase “Nature Deficit Disorder.”

Why Choose an Outdoor Adventure Camp for Your Child with ADHD?

As the Executive Director for SOAR, an outdoor adventure camp and school specifically serving youth diagnosed with ADHD, I am often asked about the benefits of attending this type of program. The right summer camp adventure can help your child develop problem-solving skills, effective communication strategies, increased self-awareness, and social skills.

Outdoor Adventure Experiences for Kids with ADHD

Outdoor adventure programs offer a wide spectrum of activities that foster communication, creativity, and ingenuity. They are designed to empower children to make healthy choices, learn more about themselves, overcome challenges, and relate lessons learned from these experiences to other aspects of their lives back at home.

Life Skills Developed at Camp

Camp can be an amazing place to learn and practice important life skills for children. Campers have a chance to make new friendships, which gives them an opportunity to practice important social skills. Children will encounter an array of opportunities to foster new problem-solving skills and gain a measure of independence. Camping provides the opportunity to practice relationship building and offers wonderful chances to make lifelong friendships. While at camp, most programs have systems in place to allow students to rotate responsibilities, ensuring all children have an opportunity to explore their leadership potential. A summer camp experience gives young people a chance to learn to work together effectively, acquiring skills in group activities.

New Areas of Interest

Many kids today don’t get a chance to be outdoors nearly enough. Outdoor adventure camps offer possibilities such as climbing, hiking, canoeing, rafting, SCUBA diving, snorkeling, horseback riding, surfing, high ropes courses, and zip line tours.

Transfer of Learning

In our camping adventure programs, we use an approach called the metaphoric transfer of learning. These are experiential opportunities where students participate in activities, then discuss them and how they relate to real life. This kind of life lesson is just one of the great gifts that outdoor adventure and experiences for kids with ADHD can give.

The Learning Continues into Adulthood

The benefits of adventure camping do not end with a child’s transition into adulthood. The right camp can provide a platform to launch a child’s development. When you find the right camp for your child, the result can be increased self-esteem, a new-found sense of independence, and a magical place where children can get to be the person they will someday become.