DANCE & CAMP BENEFITS

Developing personal, social and dance skills to result in informed decisions, responsible behaviors and constructive actions concerning our lives

Principal Objectives

The principal objective of the camping program is to assist members of this community in developing personal, social and dance skills to result in informed decisions, responsible behaviors and constructive actions concerning our lives. In all, understanding relationships with ourselves, others and our environment is the objective. Camping builds self-esteem, confidence, and leadership through “adventure challenge” while dance promotes physical and mental health. Benefits of Dance Looking for the perfect exercise? Get out your dancing shoes! In his new book, Ultra Longevity: the Seven-Step Program for a Younger, Healthier You , Canyon Ranch Medical Director Mark Liponis, M.D. entitles his chapter on exercise and movement simply, “Dance.” Dr. Liponis explains that he's defining dance broadly as rhythmic movement, and he goes on to show that rhythmic movement is in fact the most beneficial kind.

• Dancers have healthier immune systems than equally fit athletes
• Movement plus rhythm tends to create an anxiety-reducing meditative state
• Our bodies and our lives are ordered by rhythms great and small, so rhythm both feels great and does us good
• Dancing makes people happy. The body naturally wants to move to the beat, and when you allow your body to lose itself in movement, it's such a joyful, renewing thing
• Dance is an endlessly varied form of physical activity with strong mind-body and social components; if you like it, you're likely to stick with it

Goals of Our Camp Program

• Personal Development Self-confidence and self-esteem, goal setting, responsibility, personal achievement, new skills
• Social Development Communication and cooperation, trust, understanding of diversity, enthusiasm
• Dance Skills Improve dance technique, respect and appreciation for diverse dance styles, respect for one's own body
• Leadership Development for Teens Integrity, communication, flexibility, collaboration, initiative, responsibility