Once school lets out for the summer, every child craves an adventure. Textbooks take their places on shelves, and summer clothes escape chests and find their way to the front of the closet again. And soon, as both children and parents know, the daily activities around home can give way to boredom. The scent of sun-soaked blades of grass and leaf-lined branches drifts through the window, beckoning us outside. For generations, children have cured these summertime blues with a few character-forming weeks at summer camp. But now, young ones seeking the focus and thrill of a particular sport can attend summer golf camps. Here, children sharpen their interpersonal and leadership skills just like at any other camp, while also gaining experience with a time-honored sport they can enjoy for the rest of their lives.

Getting your child away from the computer screen and onto the green will provide discipline during their months away from the classroom, promoting both personal independence and group living. Without parents around, kids develop a sense of self-reliance. And while they're outside soaking up plenty of vitamin D, they're also learning an appreciation for the natural world. At such an age, participating in daily outdoor exercise is habit-forming and can establish a healthy lifestyle for years to come.

Social skills also come into play at summer camp. Kids broaden their communication skills and tap into their individual resources, some of which they've never used before in their home environment. Surrounded by new people, they examine themselves and figure out how to interact with different types of people. Interestingly, they also learn about their homes and families while they are away. As many adults know, spending a few weeks away from home is often the most effective way to learn what it truly means to us.

Some competitive golf camps recommend starting at age 10 or 11, but, like the kids who attend them, they come in a variety of styles and personalities. Some even provide SAT preparation classes or seminars on college recruitment, but the one you choose will depend on your child's age, interests and skill level. Before selecting a golf camp, examine the qualifications of the teaching staff. Some have a 6-to-1 student to teacher ratio, which might be less expensive, but something closer to 4-to-1 is more effective.

In addition to sharpening the mental and physical skills required to become incredible golfers, starting at an early age enables children to correct poor techniques before they become ingrained. Of course, learning from experts is exciting, too. The same way most of us can easily recall our childhood heroes and how we tried to emulate them, being taught by elite golfers allows kids to see what can be achieved with dedication.