Day or Residential?
Summer camps come in a variety of lengths. Half-day and day camps are great for a child's first camp experience and also work well for children who don't like to be away from home, or want a camp with a variety of activities. Day camps can also be a little easier on the pocketbook. Residential camps, on the other hand, can last anywhere from one week to the entire summer, depending upon the type of program chosen. They offer the opportunity for children to gain independence in an away-from-home setting and also offer a little extra time to focus on activities and friendships. Residential camps can get quite expensive, however, running anywhere from $50 to $200 per day.
Type of Camp
To help make camp a fun and memorable experience for your child, you need to find a program that fits your child's age and interests. If your child loves sports or arts or dance, try to find a program which offers that activity. Don't make the mistake of assuming that a camp which emphasizes sports will motivate a child who hasn't shown much interest in sports.
General or Specialized
There are two basic types of camps: traditional and specialized. Traditional camps offer a variety of activities that include recreation (land and water), arts and crafts, individual and team activities, and games. Campers are usually able to select their favorites from a long list of activities or can choose to try something new. Traditional camps are best for children who love to do many different types of things or who are easily bored. Specialized camps offer instruction in one or two very focused skills such as the performing arts (dance, theater...), a particular sport (basketball, horseback riding, gymnastics, tennis, swimming...) or academic pursuits (science, chess, robotics...). This type of camp is geared toward improving performance in the specialized activity, while still allowing some free time for other camp pursuits such as swimming, hiking and crafts. These programs are best for children who are extremely motivated in one specific activity and who have the ability to concentrate on something for longer periods.
Location of Camp
If this is the first summer camp experience for your child, then a day-camp or a camp that is relatively close to your home might provide some reassurance. This will also allow you to get there quickly if your child gets scared or in the case of an emergency. On the flip side, however, if the perfect camp for your child is located further away, don't let that stop you! Once your child gets to camp and gets involved, the distance really won't matter very much.
Cost of Camp
While researching the cost of the camp program, make sure to learn the total cost. Are there additional charges for some of the activities? Are you expected to provide transportation, meals or equipment? Do they offer any type of need-based scholarships? What is the refund policy if your child gets sick or something unexpected comes up at the last minute? Keep in mind that private camps tend to be pricier than their nonprofit counterparts. But price is not necessarily an indication of quality. Some of the best summer camp values can be nonprofit camps such as YMCA or church-led programs.
Duration of Camp
How long does your child want to spend at a camp? There are day camps where campers attend only during the day for as many weeks as they like. There are also a wide variety of overnight camps, lasting anywhere from one week to the entire summer. Even if your child plans to spend a large part of the summer in camp, be sure to leave a few weeks free for them to just chill. After going non-stop for the entire school year, your child really needs at least a week or two with no planned activities so that they can unwind. Otherwise, even the most entertaining camp may turn into a stressful experience.
Accreditation and Referrals
Ask teachers, parents and even other kids for their summer camp suggestions. Good referrals can go a long way to helping you feel more comfortable with your camp selection. For unbiased information, check with the American Camping Association. ACA accredited camps have shown that they comply with nationally recognized health, safety and program-quality standards. Just because a camp isn't accredited doesn't mean it isn't worthy, however. Accreditation can cost a hefty sum, and many smaller, personal camp programs don't feel it is worth passing this extra cost onto the camp participants in the form of higher fees. If you have concerns, then consider visiting the camp in person and talking directly to the counselors, staff members and camp participants.
More questions to ask directors of prospective camp programs:
- What is the camper return rate? - returning campers mean happy campers
- How old and/or experienced are the counselors? What is the counselor-to-camper ratio (ACA recommends 1 staff member for ever 6 campers)
- What kind of training or education is required of the staff? Are staff required to be certified in CPR and first aid? What type of screening procedures are used when hiring staff?
- What is the camp program's approach to discipline? Is it something that you and your child are comfortable with?
- Can you supply references, especially the names of other parents whose children have attended the program?
- Can the camp accommodate health concerns and other special needs such as allergies, asthma, dispensing medication, diabetes, etc.?
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