With some summer camp deadlines looming in the month of March, now is the time to decide where your child will be boating and swimming in July. While it can be hard to think about the summer when so many areas of the country are dealing with snow, we have gathered helpful information on how to begin planning for summer camp fun!
Choosing Your Child’s Camp
First, decide what do you want and what does your child need in a summer camp? There are camps to suit every preference, need, and ability. The American Camp Association recommends including your child in the decision making process. Sit down and together explore the options and the materials provided by the camps. Then consider the following questions:
- What locale do I want to consider? (mountains, oceanfront, distance)
- Do I want a traditional camp that gives my child a wide variety of experiences or do I want to select a specialty camp that focuses on a particular activity or set of skills?
- How structured do I want the program to be?
- Is my child ready to sleep away from home for an extended stay?
- What session length will appeal to my child and to our family plans for the summer?
- How can I stay in touch with my child during camp? Does the camp have parent visitation days?
- How will the camp meet my child's special dietary or physical needs?
- What is my budget for camp tuition? Remember, many camps offer financial aid.
- From the American Camp Association (link to http://www.acacamps.org/media-center/how-to-choose/preparing)
Is Your Child Ready for Overnight?
Sleepaway camps provide a summer residential program where campers enjoy daily and evening activities. Depending on the type of program chosen, a camp experience can range anywhere from one week to an entire summer.
When considering sleepaway camp, keep a few questions in mind:
- Is your child ready for a sleepaway experience?
- What is expected from the camp experience?
- What type of camp fits best with parent work schedules and family vacation times?
- What are the total costs of sleepaway camp?
- From the National Camp Association (link to http://www.summercamp.org/guidance/pamphlet.html#TYPE OF CAMP)
Ensure a Rewarding Camp Experience
"Summer camp is more than a vacation for children," says Bruce Muchnick, Ed.D., a licensed psychologist who works extensively with day and resident camps. "As a parent, there are a few things to consider to increase the opportunity for a rewarding camp experience for your child." Some helpful suggestions provided by Dr. Muchnick and the American Camp Association include:
Consider camp as a learning experience
This is an opportunity for your child to explore a world bigger than his/her neighborhood and a chance for you and your child to practice "letting go." Letting go allows children to develop autonomy and a stronger sense of self, make new friends, develop new social skills, learn about teamwork, be creative, and more.
This time also allows parents an opportunity to take care of themselves so that they will feel refreshed when their child returns home.
Prepare for camp together
Decisions about camp — like where to go and what to pack — should be a joint venture, keeping in mind your child’s maturity. If your child feels a part of the decision-making process, his/her chances of having a positive experience will improve.
- From the American Camp Association (link to
http://www.campparents.org/)
Additional resources:
American Camp Association (ACA)
http://www.campparents.org/
ACA’s Find a Camp
Search from over 2,400 ACA-accredited camps.
http://find.acacamps.org/finding_a_camp.php
National Camp Association (NCA)
http://www.summercamp.org/index.html
