When it comes to the summer break from school there are plenty of concerns for parents. Boredom and the dreaded brain drain can be a parent’s biggest enemy once the excitement of the long summer break wears off. It’s those very reasons that many parents scramble for suitable summer camps that their kids will not only enjoy, but also learn something and keep their brains in “learning mode!” For your consideration, Fred Astaire Dance Studios would like to explain why a dance camp should be high on your list.
Dance camp is good for your brain.
The brain drain. The summer slide. Whatever you want to call it, a summer spent sitting on the couch isn’t good for anyone. With a summer dance camp, children might not be learning algebra or science, but their brains are getting a good workout nonetheless. A study done by a Columbia University neuroscientist used PET imaging to identify the regions of the brain that contribute to dance learning and performance. The motor cortex, somatosensory cortex, basal ganglia, and the cerebellum were all engaged. Keep reading, because the brain is certainly not the only workout students get at a dance camp.
Dance camp is good for the body.
Ballroom dancing is proven to be great exercise, and introducing children to it at a young age could go a long way to creating a healthy life-long habit. Ballroom dancing is a low-impact aerobic activity that burns fat and can boost metabolism. It helps with flexibility too. Learning that exercise can be fun and doesn’t have to be a chore could lay the groundwork for a healthy lifestyle for years to come.
Dance camp is good for gaining confidence.
With dance lessons, kids are already feeling good physically and feeling more alert mentally just because they are dancing, but the confidence building doesn’t end with movement. The socializing skills learned in ballroom dancing will benefit your child for the rest of their lives. Students will learn basic dance etiquette: smiling as you approach someone, politely requesting a dance, meeting your partner’s eyes. As the student gain more confidence in their abilities, you’ll notice they walk with better posture. These are skills that will serve them well on the dance floor as well as the boardroom.
Dance camp unlocks creativity.
Dancing provides an emotional outlet to express your feelings through body movements. Children can be such bundles of harnessed energy that you might think they’re on the verge of bursting with the need to move! With a dance camp, it’s encouraged! Teens who might be struggling for a way to express themselves might find an outlet through the rhythm of the music and individual flourishes.
Dance camp creates friendships.
Working together toward a common goal — that’s what dancing with a partner is at its most basic. Bonds are made and friendships are forged at most summer camps… and dance camp isn’t any different.
Dance camp teaches a new language.
- So we know we’re pushing it here, but bear with us. Sure, young students may hear words they’ve never been exposed to before at a ballroom dance camp (think Merengue or Paso Doble) but we’re really talking about the language of music and rhythm. Fred Astaire Dance Studios teach students of all ages and skill levels. Many people who thought they could never dance or thought they lacked rhythm find themselves gliding gracefully across the floor. That’s because classes are 100 percent non-judgmental and all about sharing the positive, transforming power of dance.
Dance camp is FUN!
Maybe we should have listed this first! After all, it’s the teaching philosophy of every Fred Astaire Dance Studio. We believe learning to ballroom dance is always fun. Check with your local studio to see if they offer a summer dance camp. They truly can teach your children lessons that will last for a lifetime.
