What about summer camps for adults?
Cats: odd things|I’ve been busily booking the little typists into summer camps these past weeks. Interesting things: outdoor camp, flash animation, drama.
The other day I heard a geriatric psychiatrist on the radio talking about the importance of keeping adult brains exercised. Apparently, it helps avoid cognitive decline.
So why don’t they have adult summer camps.
Not learnin’ for earnin’
But learning for fun.
Why do we have to wait until we’re 65 to learn for fun again? We might not be here when we’re 65. IF if we let our brains go all fuzzy and narrow, we might render ourselves incapable.
Contrary to popular belief, adults can learn, if they choose to. The difference between adult and children is that children haven’t yet learned that they can’t learn. And adults get all comfy and set in their ways, if they choose to.
If adults could unlearn that they can’t learn … just think.
May 26th, 2009 at 12:01 pm
I had an argument with my SO just last week about this. I maintain that people can learn new skills (eg languages, writing with their opposite hand, whatever) right up until their incapable of wiping their own arses. He says our ability to learn things like this is gone by the time we’re teenagers.
Just to prove him wrong, I’m brushing up on my Greek. By writing it with my left hand.
May 26th, 2009 at 12:07 pm
Ah, for the love of learning. It took me a while after going to school to realize that education wasn’t a type of punishment for existing.
Traditional schooling seems to be designed with the intent to quell any interest in learning for the sake of learning.
Summer camps exist perhaps as a response to the gap left by our education system. Alternately it’s a way for parents to get some quality alone time during the summer months.
In reality I don’t remember learning much at summer camp. It was fun, but still no program designed to instill the life long learning bug.
Please keep in mind that it has been a few years since I went to school. I can only hope that things have changed in schools.
May 26th, 2009 at 12:17 pm
Hey, I’m still wondering why “nap time” ever went away. Let’s start small and then work up to the summer camps.
May 26th, 2009 at 1:01 pm
Sign me up for the popsicle stick art class! I understand Stephen Hawking is teaching that one.
May 26th, 2009 at 7:55 pm
Racquel, Greek, I’m impressed. Keep learning, chick.
Dick, you sent me those brilliant DVDs on quantum physics, archeology, Darwinian biology … of course you’re into learning
Becks, bring back nap time. The spanish never gave it up.
Barbara, yer in and there’s a special segment in popsicle dark matter.
May 26th, 2009 at 11:46 pm
“So why don’t they have adult summer camps.”
(Must resist Helen Keller-talking hip joke that will get me booted from this blog for life…)
So, yeah, a “nap camp?” I’ll be the first to sign up.
May 27th, 2009 at 6:23 am
I am going to a swim camp the first weekend in July (Bowler Ave in Pickering) then to a music came in Ottawa (Bluesfest!!) will share my learnings with you when I get back!
May 27th, 2009 at 7:37 am
Cormac, I’m writing my column on HK this friday, many jokes have filled my own vile mind, but I have censored them from my typist’s fingers.
Nanc, wish I could do swim camp with the Bowler Gays and Blues camp with the Ottawa 6, but I look forward to your teachings
May 27th, 2009 at 7:22 pm
Ah, nap time. Spanish are wise beyond their years.
I’m hoping to take a pottery class this summer. This fall, French.
May 28th, 2009 at 8:53 am
Allison, maybe a Spanish pottery class in French?
May 28th, 2009 at 3:19 pm
I read enough to keep my brain occupied. Also, I help my girls with math & science. Nothing like helping with homework to keep sharp.
June 5th, 2009 at 8:54 am
There are some summer camps for adults, and some for women specifically in the US. There are also a few family camps out there – I’ve heard of one in Ontario. Never got to go to camp as a child and may try to do this at some point. I was always good at popsicle stick art and my bug collection was A-1, so I’d fit right in! Well, every day was summer camp back in the day.
June 6th, 2009 at 3:44 pm
I have wondered the same thing myself, many many times.
Why aren’t there summer camps for adults??
I am a 60 year old woman. I’m active…I love hiking and camping, golf and archery, I paint and play the harmonica.
I would LOVE to find a grown-up summer camp where I could go for a week or two.
If you ever find one, please let me know!’
I am so there!