If you’re looking to enroll your child in summer camp this year, you’ve got company. Over 14 million children and adults in the U.S. go to a summer camp every year, and there are more than 14,000 operating camps in the U.S. alone, according to the American Camp Association (ACA). A summer tradition in many households, summer camps offer children and teens unique opportunities to reconnect with nature, meet potential life-long friends, and engage in activities that promote independence, teamwork, and problem-solving. Searching for the right summer camp best suited for your child can certainly be a daunting task, but the process can be an enriching learning process for both the parent and child. Here are some helpful tips and advice so you can confidently enroll your child in a summer camp they won’t forget.
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Start Early: According to the ACA, 44 percent of summer camps reported that their enrollment numbers were the highest they’ve been in the last five years. Starting the camp search early and registering in advance can secure your child a place in the decreasing number of available slots. It also gives your child more flexibility in picking options, since they won’t have to worry about camps filling to capacity. Keep in mind that most camps start the application and enrollment process in the winter and spring. Another benefit to registering early can be the multiple session/family discounts, financial assistance, or the most common, “Early Bird Discount,” that parents can use to save money. The ACA reports that 61 percent of camp discounts in 2015 came from registering early. Remember to complete applications and return them by their due dates. Whether it be having the flexibility to choose from different options, decreased financial cost, or peace of mind, registering your child early for summer camps is the way to go.
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Get to Know Your Child: Before even researching any camps, have an open, honest conversation with your child about their interests. You might find that a program they liked last year no longer excites them anymore, or vice versa. Fortunately, the sheer number and variety of camps offered will tailor to most every child’s niche. Other questions to ask your child may be, “What have you always wanted to do but never got the chance to?” and “Who do you want to surround yourself with?” Ultimately, your child will be the one participating in the summer camp, and you’ll want to make sure they are looking forward to attending it. Although getting your child’s opinion is essential, remember to maintain a balance between their opinions and yours. The skills you want your child to practice are equally important to their hobbies and interests, and you may have greater insight on their strengths and weaknesses than they do. Just like a puzzle, these key components will all come together to help you and your child decide on the right summer camp.
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Know your Options: You can be assured that there is likely a camp that fits your criteria and your child’s interests. Besides using local resources—like What’s Up? Media’s Summer Camp Guide (appearing in our February issues) and online guides such as findacacamps.org—to research camps, you can also check if local museums, recreational centers, schools, and places of worship offer unique camp experiences. With a multitude of options available, it can be hard to narrow them down and commit to one. This is where the last step, or the completed puzzle, comes in handy. Take into consideration your child’s interests and first determine the type of camp you want your child to attend. Does your child have a specific sport they want to hone their skills in? A specialty sports camp may be a good option. Do you want your child to spend their day outdoors engaging with nature? Consider recreational/outdoor camps. Secondly, consider the duration and location of the camp. If your child can handle being away from home for a long period of time, an overnight camp can be great; if not, a day camp can offer the same enriching experiences, but with the comfort of returning home. Location depends on your preferences as a parent and how comfortable you are with their level of independence. Thirdly, make sure that it offers the accommodations that your child needs, such as specific medical assistance or dietary options. Safety is key when sending your child away from home. Lastly, but most importantly, consider the cost and the financial assistance available. Make sure you are financially stable enough to take on the cost of sending your child to camp. If not, consider alternative financing solutions (start a GoFundMe page) or registering early to help lower the cost.
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Visit the Camp: Camps can look great on paper or onn their website but can render sub-par in reality. Visiting a camp is ultimately the best way to break down the barriers and get a feel for what the camp will actually be like for your child. Before going, have an idea of their credibility; that is, the staff retention, reviews, and notable awards and honors. A tool worth using is the Camp Program Quality Assessment (CPQA) Short Form, published by the ACA to assess a potential camp. On it, you can document all the necessary information you feel is a factor in the decision. If you are able to observe the camp in action, keenly watch how the staff treats the children, and if the overall environment is positive and accepting. Are they attentive and closely involved during activities? Do the campers feel safe to express their opinions and concerns? Are the activities engaging? If you can’t visit, make time to contact the staff for an informative Q&A. Consider the camp’s physical, emotional, and environmental aspects. The main question you should be asking is, “Will my child feel comfortable learning the beneficial skill sets that this camp has to offer?” Keep your child’s criteria in mind and create a scale on which you rate the camps you have visited or contacted. This will make your decision in the end much easier. Finally, consult with your child to make a choice and register for the program.
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Prepare Your Child for Camp: The last piece in this puzzle is making sure that your child is prepared and ready to go to camp, especially if it is an overnight camp away from home. This depends on a multitude of factors, from comfort level to social and communication skills. Ask yourself, “Does my child have positive experiences away from home?” If the answer is no, take time to practice these skills with your child. Whether it be encouraging them to have sleepovers away from home, positively reinforcing acts of independence, or encouraging good hygiene and neighborly social skills, you can teach your child to become more self-sufficient and comfortable with a camp lifestyle. It’s totally normal for your child to still be nervous about going to camp. In fact, summer camps are supposed to help children overcome these fears and should provide a safe space for them to do so. According to the ACA, 74 percent of children said they did things at camp that they were afraid of doing at first. Fostering a positive attitude towards summer camp will make your child excited for summer camp and the critical life-long lessons it has to offer.
