Canadian Adventure Camp is a North Ontario coed sleepover summer camp for kids located on a beautiful private island in the wilderness lakes region of Temagami. Founded in 1975, it provides acclaimed programs to children from around the world! Visit site: http://www.canadianadventurecamp.com/ Canadian Adventure Camp 15 Idleswift Drive Thornhill, Ontario, L4J 1K9 Canada info@canadianadventurecamp.com

2. The ancient game of chess is finding a new
generation of fans in kids as young as five, and
intent little players can be found in the
classroom, in after-school programs and at
summer day camp picnic tables.

3. The motto of the U.S. Chess Federation is
“Chess Makes You Smart” and a growing body
of evidence is showing that the game improves
youngsters’ problem solving skills as well as
writing and math test scores.

4. The only “luck” in chess is executing a clever
strategy yourself or having your opponent
make a bad move,
so hard work and good “if/then” thinking is
critical.

5. Even kids in day camp will settle down in the
shade on a hot day for a fine battle on the
chess board.

7. Although kids as young as kindergarten
can tackle chess, second and third grades
are considered ideal for learning how to
weigh options, figure out quadrants and
coordinates and foresee the series of
consequences that make up the game of
chess.

8. At this age critical thinking skills are
advancing rapidly. Playing chess and
being “smart” are considered connected,
a big lure for elementary school students.

10. Chess was invented more than 1500
years ago in India, possibly as a way to
teach the children of the royal family to
better understand battlefield strategies
and become higher level thinkers.

11. The game we play today, however, is rooted
in the middle ages, peopled by romantic
figures like kings, queens and bishops.

12. Since that time, chess has spread around the
world, outliving nearly every other game and
receiving countless endorsements and
accolades from educators.

13. A universal game with worldwide rule
consistency, chess crosses all socio-
economic, religious and language barriers to
bond diverse people in a game of limitless
skill and strategy.

15. In order to play chess well, you have to focus
intensely on the objective of capturing your
opponent’s king, visualizing the moves of various
pieces, the board itself and any potential
countermoves.

16. Spatial reasoning, attention span and visual
memory all play into this timeless game of
strategy, and kids who play vastly improve in
these areas by memorizing classic moves and
successful maneuvers from previous games.

18. Kids who play chess tend
to score higher on
standardized reading
and math tests.

19. The game itself involves
intense problem solving
and memorization of
complex moves, so it’s not
surprising that the game
boosts math skills.

20. It also nurtures the same skill
set as reading: decoding,
comprehension, thinking and
analysis.

22. The game of chess involves a lot of “if-then” thinking
as players visualize possible moves and associated
countermoves.

23. Each player needs to figure out not only what moves
they want to make, but what their opponents may
do in response, utilizing lots of imagination and
creativity.

24. Originality grows as kids learn to visualize a
long series of moves, imagining all possible
counterattacks.

26. One of the great benefits of chess is that it can bring
together people of all ages, races and genders. From
kindergartners to octogenarians, chess helps build
friendships among people who may not have
otherwise become acquainted.

28. A game of chess is a lesson in caution, patience
and eternal hope even in the face of
overwhelming odds. Hasty moves or following
your first impulse are poor strategies, and the
cautious, thoughtful player has a better chance
of success.

29. Much like the game of life, chess teaches us that
no matter how bad things seem, there’s hope right
up to the end. As Yogi Berra said, “It ain’t over ‘til
it’s over.” Maybe he enjoyed the occasional game
of chess!

31. To win at chess, you have to think hard, work hard,
focus, practice and plan strategies, all activities that
reward hard work.

32. The harder you work at the game, learning classic
moves, memorizing maneuvers that worked in
previous games, keeping watch over the whole chess
board and planning ahead, the more likely you are
to say “check mate”!

33. Let your kids enjoy the experience of
summer day camp at Maplewood
Summer Day Camp.

34. Experienced staff will keep your child both
safe and busy with arts and crafts, games,
water sports, gymnastics and more.

35. Visit the site at
www.maplewoodyearround.com

36. 150 Foundry St. (Route 106)
PO Box 88 (Mailing)
South Easton, MA 02375
Email: info@maplewoodyearround.com
Telephone: (508) 238-2387
FAX: (508) 238-1154