It’s cold, it’s wet, the refrigerator door has just opened and closed for the fifth time, and a little voice keeps repeating the refrain you’ve heard steadily for the last four days.

“I’m bored!” “There’s nothing to eat!” “I’m still bored!”

Welcome to school vacation, winter edition.

While the rhythms of school have (happily) returned, the effects of school vacation live on – namely aimless kids who are temporarily sprung from class and in need of something to do.

But it doesn’t have to be that way – not if the kids go to camp. True, day camps may be primarily known as the stuff of summer. But they’re becoming increasingly common during school breaks, set up for parents who need to be on their normal schedule, even when their children aren’t.

Getting to work is itself a bonus. But support for parents is just reason #1 such camps are getting so popular. There’s also a lot in it for kids. We talked to veteran Steve & Kate’s Camp Director Rachel Kirshenbaum about all of it. What does she say are nine other things winter camp is great for?

Meeting new friends

The last few years have been tough on budding social skills. “4-year-old campers who have never heard of stop-motion animation will walk up to our stations their first day, and by the end of the week they're creating short films and projects with friends,” adds Sarah Hewett, who also works at Steve & Kate’s Camp.

Experimenting with new interests

Less structured camp days gives kids the chance to play with things (coding, movie-making, hand-sewing & embroidery) they didn’t even know they liked. “We have sewing machines set up that kids use for the first time,” says Rachel. “We often will have fashion shows with the stuff kids have sewn.”

Getting a tryout for summer

Camp is great, but it’s not for every child. So a short spell in a more casual winter camp can help determine if a longer stretch is in order for summer – or if a few days were enough.

Identifying the right summer camp

Multi-week summer camps are big investments. And even kids who thrive in camp will need the right fit. “An experience in a winter camp,” says Rachel, “can help direct you to exactly what type of summer camp you should be looking for.”

Giving kids more personalized attention

Public school classrooms tend to be large numbers of students to one teacher. Camp shrinks that number, allowing staff to connect with kids and get a window into what makes them tick.

Coaxing kids out of their shells

The magic of camp is the energy and acceptance that allows kids to be bold. “I’m often amazed by how seemingly shy kids get on stage for the talent show,” says Rachel. “The environment gives them courage. It’s just beautiful.”

Giving kids a comfort zone

With smaller-than-average group sizes, winter camps provide a less intimidating experiencing than their bigger summer brethren. “In winter,” says Rachel, “camp takes up just a room or two, making the whole experience more personal.”

Support for kids with unique needs

Those same smaller groups have additional bonuses. “They’re quieter and less intensive,” says Rachel, who herself has a son with special needs. “That can be really helpful for kids with certain sensitivities.”

A chance to blow off steam

A winter day indoors at home is a recipe for restlessness. But a day spent with friends and games, indoors and out, is a recipe for using energy. “At the end of the day,” says Rachel, “kids have no trouble going to sleep -- just like summer.”

As for the big question – how to find a good camp – Rachel says, look at the structure. “Kids get bored easily,” she says. “So a good camp has a lot of activities they can choose from.” Still, in the present, the best part of a winter program is getting to go to camp now.

“Just the idea that they can go to camp in the middle of the winter instead of waiting until summer,” she says, “is really exciting.”

About Steve & Kate’s Camp

Steve & Kate’s Camp is a summer day camp established in 1980, that believes in empowering children through self-directed learning. It has since grown into more than 50 camp locations across the U.S., and has expanded its offerings to include fall, winter, and spring break camps in multiple states. For more information, go to https://steveandkatescamp.com/.