Summer is fast approaching! It’s time for vacation and travel-planning, which, for many, includes registering kids for camp. Choosing a summer camp can be an exciting, but time-consuming and challenging experience. It can be difficult to narrow down the right camp for your child with so many options, from day to sleep-away camps, price ranges, locations and interests. The selection process requires time and thoughtful consideration.
As you get started, The American Camp Association recommends considering your child’s interests and personality to identify what camp program will benefit him or her most.
Above all, it is important to find one that will offer fun and meaningful experiences that match a child’s interests and maturity level. Including your child in the decision making process is an excellent way to select the most suitable program and can help reduce any possible anxiety or fears.
Here are a few things to think about as you start gearing up for camp registration:
- Location: Consider the distance you are willing to drive each day. For a sleep-away camp, what distance do you and your child feel most comfortable with, in case of an emergency?
- Budget: Camp costs vary and can add up quickly if your children are attending more than one throughout the summer. Many camps offer financial aid.
- Camp staffing: Low camper-to-staffer ratio is best. Staff should be well-trained and background-checked. Take some time to speak with the camp director.
- Time: What hours of the day is the camp scheduled? If you have multiple children attending different camps or activities, will their drop off and pick up times overlap?
- Comfort: Will any of their friends be attending the same camp? This may enhance their experience and also provides the option of setting up a carpool with other parents.
- Special needs: Does your child have dietary or physical needs? If so, determine how the camp will meet those needs.
As you search for the best camp program for your child, you will quickly see that the opportunities are endless. Above all, let their camp experience offer a break from technology, screen-time and all that adds to the complexity of day-to-day life. Instead, let camp be a replacement, with the simplicity of creating friendships, care-free fun, memory-making, and skill-building. Let it serve as a way for them to gain confidence and independence as they learn to be in an environment temporarily separated from you, which could be a new experience for parents and kids alike.
The American Camp Association is a great resource for parents, offering expert advice on camp selection, readiness, child and youth development, and issues of importance to families. This site is also worth a look, as it includes reviews by campers and their parents.
Michelle Rathburn
MRathburn@growcounseling.com
