As parents the most important thing is to make our little ones happy and stimulated all the time. All our efforts are directed towards making the learning and enrichment process an organic one for our kids. And for every summer brings the most important decision on how to choose a summer camp for your child.
Summer camps satiate our little one’s urge for physical activity and creative expression. And also providing an invigorating social environment. The most important worry that we face around spring-summer is how to pick the right summer camp for your child. There are ample steps that we must ensure to not miss any important aspect while deciding the right summer camp for our children.
Steps to choose the right summer camp for your child:
Your search for the right summer camp begins by brainstorming and discussing with your child. This will help in expectation alignment and also exploring the interests of your child. Some of these steps include:
1- Narrowing the summer camp options:
This is a very important step where we begin with a plethora options and through discussions, analysis and research on their reviews, come down to a handful and then proceed further.
A- Discuss with your child about summer camp interests:
Let your child take the lead when deciding for the summer camps. As their interest and inclination would be a sole factor in making the summer camp a success. Also check with the hobbies and available options around. Your child may not be able to decide it all. Ask what would they like to do. And make their choice as the basis ahead.
Since summer camps can be their first ever getaway from home it is very important to keep their interests and excitement levels high. The child must take the decision regarding what they wish to do. Their interests will help in narrowing the options. Specially about academic or art or sport camp. The category you pick must help in deciding good summer camps in your area.
B- Pick the right kind of camp timings:
Overnight, day camp or a specialized camp. This is a tough decision so you must assess the maturity level of your child. Keep a check on those programs which fit in the needs of your child and yourself. At a day camp the child just stays for a fixed number of hours during a day, but for an overnight camp the child stays for a few days or weeks away from home.
Check if your child is ready for an overnight summer camp
Check if your child has ever done a sleepover at a friends place, how has the experience been. Also how does your child feel about a sleep away camp, there must not be any major anxiety and fear within the child. There can be more friends who are joining the same camp so keep checking for more. Many children have allergies from spring and summer blossoms, so its better to keep a check on that. Do not forget to check the possible allergies in the locality of summer camp.
C- Check for the right size of summer camp:
Too many or too few kids cause unusual anxiety in children. Therefore it is better to ask the child how they wish to see their peers at camps. The lesser the campers more attention individual camper can get. And with more campers more and more group activities can be seen. Check with your child how they wish for their camp strength
D- Special services and facilities for children:
For kids with special needs or dietary restrictions it is important to know if the summer camp has adequate means to support. Check if meals, transportation and other needs are included with the camps, allocate adequate money for these too. Also for any disability or disorders, you must check with camp directors. If the facilities offered at the camp are meeting your needs and your child’s requirements only then proceed further.
2- Brainstorming and researching:
This the a very important step where you take reviews, online details and also seek guidance from teachers or staff around. The list you could come up with from above makes you to shortlist a few then the research will further help in selecting your choice of summer camp.
A- Online search: Look at camp websites like campnavigator.com which have some of the most exclusive listings of summer camps and other programs in your locality. Be sure to check individual camp websites for more insights, read reviews, check local camp associations and libraries for detailed understanding and also seek guidance from school staff
– Read online the reviews posted by people who attended in last couple of years
– Check the photographs from previous years and from facebook pages
– check glassdoor ratings and join network of parents where you can find more details and insider views
B- Budgeting: Check whats included in the summer camp and how does it match with your allocation of funds. There are always dearer and cheaper options available for all kids on summer camps, find your right one. Check meals, insurance, medicare, trips etc must be included in tuitions too.
Check how to save for summer camp fee
C- Talk to other parents and kids who attended the camp in previous years:
This will help in finding what exactly happens at the camp and how does it go about. The better insights are always from people who have been there done that. This will also help in knowing if anything critical is missed in the above research. Consider good as well as bad reviews from parents and keep taking a note
D- Check safety and medical care needs:
The camp must have proper safety and health standards maintained. Check the emergency rooms nearby and do not forget to see the hygiene maintained at the camp site. Additionally talk to camp directors and camp counselors about their related procedures
E- Opt for the most suitable camp:
After all the above steps you must be able to pick the ideal camp that fits in your requirements. Keep the dates and deadlines in mind and these must not clash with any of your vacation plans. Check the registration process and be sure to fill in on time.
3- Check online resources of the camp:
Be sure to benefit your child with online resources available about the summer camp. There may be videos and virtual tours and be sure to show to your child. This will help in preparing the child well for upcoming summer camp.
4- Visit the camp site before paying up:
Check important questions to ask before signing up for a summer camp Also visit the camp site once with your child, before actually paying the camp tuitions and fee. This will help in learning more about the actual camp proceedings. Try and go when camp counselors and others are around to see how they treat kids and how the usual camp goes about.
5- Speak with camp counselors and check for their CPR trainings:
When you speak with the camp counselors you would know of their attitude towards kids and the camp. Are they involved or aloof, ignorant or participative. This will further your decision for the summer camp choice.
6- Camp accreditation:
This is very important that the summer camp must be accredited by an identified body. This would not only benchmark the standards maintained but also the quality, safety, training and other expectations from the camp.
7- Don’t forget to ask for discounts and deals:
There are ample options to avail discounts and best is to talk directly at the camp registration desk. Saving a few bucks never hurts anyone.
The above compilation on How to choose the right summer camp for your child is to help you plan a wonderful and enriching summer for your little one. There are amazing ways the summer camp can bring benefits for your child’s overall development. Just a little work and you can get the most appropriate summer camp experience for your child.
Check campnavigator resources, your assisting partner in all your desires for summer camp and special needs program. Our comprehensive details and listings are sure to help you decide your fit.
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Minu Manisha
