Throughout his life, the development of your son’s brain is entwined with that of his body, particularly in his younger years. Research shows the more active and fit your child is, the better his cognitive performance. If physical movement stimulates the growth of the mind, can summer camp make your son smarter?
How Physical Activity Fuels Brainpower
Learning is not all in your son’s head. Movement boosts brainpower. How does it do this? Research shows that exercise improves blood flow through your child’s body and to his brain, amplifying brain function. It also aids in developing brain cells and brain cell circuitry, improving brain signal speed. Aerobic activity promotes the growth of his hippocampus, the part of the brain linked to verbal memory and learning. With movement and exercise, your child can reap the rewards of improved concentration, better memory, and enhanced academic performance.
The Importance of Finding Time for Physical Activity
To reap the optimal benefits of physical activity, the National Association of Sports and Physical Education recommends 150 minutes of exercise a week for elementary school aged children. However, a 2014 study revealed that less than 5% of U.S. schools offer this opportunity to elementary school students, mandating only about 100 minutes of physical activity per week. At the time of this study, the U.S. ranked 21st in science, 26th in math, and 17th in reading out of 34 countries polled. By comparison, Finland, which dedicated 75 minutes to physical activity daily – just 25 minutes less than the average U.S. child gets per week – ranked 1st in science and 2nd in math and reading.
Boosting Brain Power Through Play
To entice your child outdoors and away from the screen, fun, engaging opportunities for physical activity are essential. Located in the woods of New Hampshire near Maine and Vermont, just 3 hours from Boston, and 5-6 hours from New York and Pennsylvania, Camp Mowglis offers a variety of exciting and entertaining outdoor adventures for your child. Here your son can immerse themselves in new experiences; swimming, rowing, or windsurfing on the shorelines of our immense lake, hiking in thousands of acres of trails, rock climbing, learning archery, and more. The cure for summer boredom, we offer a multitude of activities for boys aged 7-15.
Stimulate your son’s body and mind. Boost your son’s brainpower in the fun, positive, environment of Camp Mowglis. Contact us to learn more about summer camp opportunities or watch our “A Day in the Life at Camp Mowglis” YouTube video today.