Where Is The Best Summer Camp For My Child? 7 Tips
Any parent intending to send their young ones to a summer camp knows the benefits that come with it. The importance of a summer camp is that it helps your child find new friends, build confidence in them as well as learning several new skills. The parents also are relieved from stress that comes with child care during summer months. However, there are many camps these days, and a parent may not be sure if they are sending their kids to the right one. Carrying out conclusive research is unavoidable. If you are a parent looking for the appropriate camp, here are the best tips to guide you throughout the process.
1. Talk to your kid first on the expectations
Your kid’s opinion counts and as a parent, you will have to inquire about whom they would like to attend the camp with, what skills they would like to learn or enrich, and what they want to accomplish in the end. This will give you a clear picture of what to look for in a summer camp. It will make your search easy and timely. While searching for a prospective one, your kid’s interest will guide you through screening for the most appropriate one, where all their interests will be catered for.
2. Ensure it is accredited
You will always not go wrong when picking a camp that has been accredited. This will give the parent an assurance that the camper is in a safe place. Accreditation is very crucial that it may be the only thing to look for after all. However, the other tips will add meat to the bone, making the camper to enjoy their stay even more. When you choose a recognized camp, you are rest assured that they have hundreds of best rules that any parent would settle for, for the well-being of their kids. These rules and guidelines ensure that the kid’s health and safety are given the priority and overall, will ensure the camper gets the best camp experience.
3. Camp type and your appropriate choices
There is the unisex, boys, or girls only camps to choose from. If you think your kid is more comfortable exhibiting their skills in a single gender set up, then you would rather select a single sex camp. On the other hand, when you choose a coed camp, you are guaranteed that your kid will develop crucial social skills. Here the kids will learn how to relate and interact with members of the opposite sex, in unstructured but supervised social setting.
You can as well choose between a full residential sleepaway camp and a local day camp, depending on the age of your young one. For children of around eight years old, getting a local day camp for them is stressed, as they will return home daily until they are of age to attend a residential summer camp. A residential summer camp experience gives the kid tangible lifelong skills not to mention the independence that will see them through their adolescence stage.
4. What is the camp’s focus?
There are specialty camps and general one. In the general camps, your kid would benefit from a myriad of activities like team sports, archery, swimming, music, and much more, helping the child to develop new interests. If they are required to report with their sporting equipment, don’t despair as you can hire reputable companies such as RunRex to ferry them safely and with a guarantee and complimentary insurance. The specialty camps are for kids that need to concentrate on a particular activity and want to meet only like-minded events.
5. The camp specifics
You can as well narrow down your search by looking at the camp’s details, such as session dates. Confirm to know whether the camp offers services throughout a period that is convenient to you, or essential for your kid to perfectly master a skill. What is the cost of the program? Ensure it offers value for your money. Also, you might want to inquire what the camp prices include and whether there are extra fees for activities there. Finally, if the camp caters for any special needs appropriate for the camper, such as dietary, disability, physical disabilities or ADD, the better.
6. How about the camp family?
It’s imperative to meet the people responsible for the daily running of the camp and introduce yourself and kids to the director and councilors. This shows your commitment to the camp which will translate to them being committed to the camper’s contentment. Let your child’s needs and concerns be known to the staff for it will guarantee your child’s ultimate happiness. Remember the staff and yourself should always work as a team.
7. Select the camp
After all the research, sifting through several camps, you will finally land on one that offers everything that you and your kids are concerned about. Ensure you present yourself to all these camps or better still visit their websites and read several testimonials before picking one. At this point, your instincts will guide you to choosing one that fully suits your child. Remember, instincts never lie. Always be on the lookout for a perfect camp for your kid.