It would be hard to find a kid who isn’t looking forward to summer vacation. The warm weather, the long, lazy days full of sunshine and friends, and the lack of homework make the summer months nearly everyone’s favorite time of year. Most parents may wish summer vacation was shorter, according to a recent study, but that opinion is usually not shared by their children.

Either way, summer vacation is probably not getting shortened any time soon, which means that the only question is what to do during those school-less months? Is this the moment to travel? Will you spend the summer poolside? Or are you going to look for a creative way for your kids to expand your horizons? The options are pretty overwhelming when it comes to summer camps and activities, but it doesn’t have to be a headache of a decision.

Attending summer camp means that your kids get to enjoy an array of different activities, meet new friends, and go on new adventures. Think of it as a sort of one-stop-shop. Instead of having to work out a lot of summertime logistics, you sign up for camp and they’re all taken care of. Plus, specialized summer camps mean you can explore different aspects of something you love. Here are three great reasons to sign your kids up for art camp this year.

1. They’ll discover new ways to be creative.

Maybe your child is really great at drawing or loves to doodle in the margins of their notebook. Or maybe they love messing around with playdough, sculpting little worlds. If you have a creative kid on your hands, chances are they will love exploring other creative modalities as well, and art camp is just the place to do so. There are so many ways to engage in visual arts and parents can’t give kids access to all of them at home! At art camp, though, your kid will get to try out oils, acrylics, and watercolors. They’ll get to paint a mural, or sculpt with found materials. There’s no better way to find out which medium feels the most inspiring than to try them all. By signing up for art camp, they get the chance to do just that.

2. They’ll meet new friends who love what they love!

At school, your kids have to navigate a randomized social situation; it can be hard to find peers who they really click with. Summer camp is, however, a self-selected group. Everyone at art camp definitely loves visual arts. This means that art camp is the perfect place to find new friends who love what they love. Bonding over a tie-dying activity or as they work together on a group art project is a great way to make lifelong friends who connect because they share a core love for imagination, whimsy, and innovation.

3. Immerse them in a wealth of new experiences.

Childhood is the time to find the things that speak to us, that light a spark inside us and get us motivated to make a difference in the world. One of the best ways to do that is to try new things you wouldn’t necessarily have been drawn to. Art camp includes many different projects, and you don’t have to be especially artistically gifted to take part in them. The point isn’t to discover the next Michelangelo, it’s to dip your toes into new waters and see if you like swimming in them. Even if your child doesn’t want art to be their life’s work—that’s fine! Being creative will still unlock doors to new ways of thinking and seeing the world.

With so many summer camps out there, it can be hard to choose the right one. That said, there sure are a lot of good reasons to enroll your kids in art camp this summer.