Camp
Get SUMMER CAMP Planning
Know-How
Summer camp for many is a childhood rite of passage.
Who hasn’t shared stories of insect-invaded bunk houses, food fights in the
mess hall and crazy camp counselors? Under the bes
t conditions, camp can be
a time for exploration, personal growth and fun. But at its worst, it can be
an interminable two months for a child who wishes he or she were at home
instead. The latter situation usually occurs when a child isn’t actively
involved in the summer-camp research process.
For parents faced with their child’s impending summer
vacation, camp can seem the ideal situation...and investment. Working
parents know their children will be supervised and they won’t have to worry
about taking time off from work to monitor their children’s activities.
Stay-at-home parents won’t have to contend with a summer of “I’m bored” and
“There’s nothing to do,” or serve as an activities director. But where to
start the process of whittling down the lists of camps from which to choose?
According to the American Camping Association, there
are approximately 8,500 camps throughout the United States that host more
than 6 million young people each year. With so many choices, making a
decision is difficult at best. Here are some tips to make the process a bit
easier.
First and foremost, start early. Even though summer
camp is often in session from July through August, many camps will require
enrollment early in the year—some as early as January. To make sure your
child will be guaranteed a spot, scout out camps at the latter part of the
year prior to when your child will be attending. In fact, December has
actually been named National Sign Up for Summer Camp Month for this purpose.
Contact camps for brochures, videos and other
promotional material. Sit down with your child and explore the options. If
possible, also get referrals from other parents and your child’s friends.
Secondly, you’ll want to make sure your child is in
agreement with summer-camp plans. While you may have your heart set on him
attending an academic camp, your child may rather go to the camp his best
friend is attending instead. Forcing him to go to the one you prefer may
lead to a summer of aggravation.
Many parents fail to consider the camp-to-camper match
that should be present when selecting camps. Selecting strictly on session
dates or what you feel would be best may not show you the best camps for
your kid. Each child is an individual. His age, personality, talents, likes
and dislikes must be taken into account as you help organize summer plans.
Consider camps that help develop his skills and interests. When asked why
he’s attending a specific camp, your child’s answer should be, “Because I
love (name activity),” not “Because my parents made me come.”
Finally, when you’ve narrowed down the choices with
your child's help, contact the camp and ask specific questions about the
camp’s reputation. Here are some to consider:
• What are the counselor-to-camper ratios?
• How are medical emergencies handled?
Is there a nurse or doctor on staff?
• What is the level of activity required of each child,
and what options are available if he is not able to participate one day?
• Where do the campers come from (out of state or
local)?
• Is the program coed?
• How are staff members trained? How are they screened?
• What kind of facilities does the program offer?
• What are the safety regulations?
• How are discipline problems resolved?
Every camp administrator thinks his camp is the best, so
clear questions that require specific answers will help you determine if the
camp meets your child’s needs. In addition, see if the camp administrator
can provide you with the name of a private referral: a parent or counselor
who can provide an unbiased opinion. Try to speak with both the camper and
the parents, and let your child ask questions of the camper as well.
Camp should be a fun and rewarding experience for your
child. The time and money invested in a camp should be well worth the
enjoyment it brings to your child. For more information on camps in your
area and advice on choosing the right one for your family, check out some of
the following Web sites: American Camping Association:
www.aca-camps.org;
National Camping Association:
www.summercamp.org; KidsCamps Homepage:
www.kidscamps.com.
Courtesy of Metro Editorial Services.
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