Summer Camp – Choosing the Right One

Choosing the Right Summer Camp for Your Kids

Summer camp offers plenty of benefits, and many kids thrill at the idea of going away to summer camp. For some kids, particularly those who are shy, introverted or homebodies, the thought of going away for a night, let alone a week or more, can be cause for considerable anxiety. Forcing summer camp on children who are adamantly opposed may not be in their best interest but for those kids who are more than eager, or at the very least willing to give it a shot without too much fuss, summer camp offers opportunities and experiences both enriching and memorable.

Benefits of Summer Camps

• fostering independence
• developing new and lasting friendships
• developing new skills
• discovering new interests and hobbies
• providing the opportunity for creative expression
• a break from being plugged-in
• daily exercise
• improving self-esteem
• teaching kids to work with others
• eeling part of a community
• reducing summer learning loss

Some Criteria to Consider

Before you begin looking into summer camps, first create a list of the criteria you’re looking for.

• What is your budget for summer camp?
• What is the purpose of sending your child to summer camp?
• Do you want an overnight or a day camp?
• Are you looking for a short-term or summer-long program?
• Do you want a camp that’s very structured or one that provides your child freedom and choices?
• What are your child’s interests, such as a sport, hobby, or other interest?

Once you’ve selected a few summer camps that meet your primary criteria, share the choices with your child. Let your child know upfront that you still need to thoroughly investigate each camp before making a final decision. But do keep your child’s choices in mind to ensure your child gets the most out of summer camp.

Investigate a Little Deeper

When the list has been reduced to a manageable selection, you’ll want to investigate the camps further. There are several things you must consider.

• What are the staff’s qualifications?
  • Many summer camps use teens to staff the camps. Teenagers make excellent mentors and can bring liveliness to summer camp programs. However, the programs themselves should be developed by professionals and have professional oversight to ensure campers are getting the most from the camp programs.
• How does the camp ensure your child’s safety?
  • Find out what kind of safety training the camp provides its staffers. Also, is there always staff that knows CPR on hand? What are the camp’s procedures if your child becomes ill or has an accident? What about other emergencies?
• What is the daily schedule for campers?
  • Ask for a daily itinerary, so you and your child both know what to expect.
• What are the rules?
  • Each camp has its own set of rules. Find out whether your child can call you. If it’s a summer-long residential camp, can parents come and visit? Can your child bring along a cell phone or electronics? Also, how much money should your child bring, and how is your child’s money managed?