How to Choose a Kids Summer Camp
It is getting warmer, the days
are getting longer, and the kids are getting happier, that must
mean school is almost out! And that means it is time to start
thinking about what your kids are going to be doing all summer
long. We at the FCIC have already been thinking about how kids
spend those long summer days, and have come up with this handy
dandy guide to choosing a summer camp.
What are the differences in camps?
Where on earth do I find all of the camps?
Now
that I know where to find the camps, how do we choose between
them?
Other
Resources
Who
should choose the camp?
As busy
adults, we often make important decisions by ourselves as quickly
as we canwhich is not the best way to choose a camp for our
kids. Even a quick search for camps will show that there are
hundreds of different camps in every location to choose from.
So unless you wish your child to be exposed to a specific point
of view or exercise, choosing a camp will likely be a difficult
choice. Added to the number of camps available is the difference
in perspective that exists between parents and children. In
short, what you think you child will enjoy is not necessarily
what they would choose if given the option. So, whenever possible,
bring your child into the process as early as possible.
What
are the differences in camps?
There are four basic types of camps
to choose from for your child: day programs, sleepaway, day
programs with trips, and special needs. These types of camps
are further divided by gender (girls only, boys only, or co-ed),
and by age group. Additionally, camps often focus on specialties
that include: adventure, art, computer, dance, music, religion,
horse riding, sports, theatre, and others. Basically, if you
can think of a subject, there is probably a camp that specializes
in it.
Where
on earth do I find all of the camps?
So if there are so many different
types of camps, where do we find information about them? The
answer is just about everywhere. As children today are often
more internet savvy than parents and guardians, a fun activity
for your child may be to search the internet (either at home
or at the public
library) or go through other resources and make
a list of potential camps. Then go through the list together
and choose the one you feel is most appropriate.
In addition to your public library,
there are many local sources of information about summer camps,
such as:
- Schools
- Churches
- Community
centers
- Sports
teams
- Clubs/Activity
Groups
- Museums
Similarly, online resources are
abundant and growing in number all of the time. Some examples
of online resources about summer camps are:
Now
that I know where to find the camps, how do we choose between
them?
The
camp experience will have a lasting impact on the child, so
there are a number of issues that should be seriously considered
when choosing a summer. Some questions you should ask yourself
are:
- What do you and your child hope that they will get out of going to camp?
-
Is there a specific topic (religion, sports, and arts) that you hope they will gain ability and experience in?
-
Would it benefit your child if they interacted more with
the opposite gender?
-
If you have more than one child would they benefit from
attending the same camp?
-
How far from you and for how long would your child be comfortable.
If you think that your child may not be ready for sleepaway
camp, choose a local one in case you end up making a late
night pickup.
-
How much are you willing to pay? Four weeks at a good private
sleep away camp will cost anywhere from $3500 to $6500,
and eight weeks will range from $4000 to $7000. Non-profit
camps often range from $1200 to $3000 for four weeks and
$2500 to $5000 for eight weeks. Specialty camps can range
from $500 to $1000 per week depending on the program. Take
time to consider what you can reasonably afford.
-
Does your child have any special needs that need to be accommodated?
While most camps are equipped for campers with disabilities,
not all have staff trained to work with children with attention
deficit disorder, learning disabilities, or special medical
problems.
Once
you have narrowed the field to a few choices, another set
of questions should help you choose which camp is the best
one for your child.
- What
is the director's age and background?
-
How long has the director run this camp?
-
What facilities does the camp have and how convenient are
they for campers to get to?
-
What is the camper-counselor ratio, age, and training required
of the staff?
-
What is the schedule like? Is it a structured program or
one that emphasizes a lot of free choice?
-
What percentage of campers return each year?
-
Are there any extra costs that may arise, like equipment
fees?
-
How does the camp insure the safety and security of its
campers?
-
What medical facilities are available and what medical staff
is on campus?
-
Is there a refund policy if the camper leaves early?
These questions are a good starting point in your quest to
find the right camp for your child. If you spend the time
needed to research your options and include your child in
the decision, he or she will most likely have a memorable
experience that provides them opportunities to grow as a person,
while having fun and making new friends.
Other Resources
This is just a brief overview.
For more information, check out these resources:
Websites:
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