Choosing the Right Summer Camp for Your Child

When school is over, there's absolutely no reason for your child to switch into the lazy mode. And summer camp can be a positive and perfect solution for this problem. However, with the wealth of summer camp options in this country, which one is the best to choose? Some tips on choosing a summer camp.

- Start with your local community. Sometimes, the best places for camp is right in your own backyard. Check with local services such as churches, schools, and organizations, to see if they have a summer camp program. A reputable listing you might check for verification are the American Camping Association (www.acacamps.org) or the National Camp Association (www.summercamp.org).

- Choose the right option for your child and tailor it to his or her needs. For instance, if your child is the next soccer pro and an aspiring computer geek, today's summer camps offer specifically tailored needs to your child's interest.

- Find a camp that best works with your lifestyle. This can be in terms of taste, lifestyle, and budget. For instance, if you want your child to learn independence, perhaps a sleepaway camp is the best option. However, if a room and board program isn't for you, there are plenty of day programs.

- Check credentials. This is one of the most important steps in choosing the right summer camp program. Check that the camp is accredited, which says that the camp has met the state's requirements in terms of safety, effective management, staffing, health care, and food services. If at all possible, visit the prospective camp beforehand.

In considering summer programs, there are many important questions to ask. Here are some starters:

What do you expect the camp to provide, in terms of learning experience as well as surroundings?

What are some special interests that your child wants to explore?

Are there any physical or social limitations that you should consider?

What kind of structure are you looking for?

What is the camps goals and philosophy?

What medical facilities are available and what medical staff is on campus?

What is the refund policy if a camper leaves early or withdraws?

Other general information

Nonprofit camps, such as YMCA or Federation camps, are generally less expensive than private ones. As a family, you should carefully assess your budget and calculations. Not only consider the up front financial costs but areas such as equipment, emergency supplies, and such.

In terms of size, camps can widely vary from under 100 to more than 400 campers. There are both advantages as well as disadvantages to each situation. In small camps, the small environment fosters a place where campers and staff can really get to know each other and individual needs can be met.

Large camps, however, offer more variety and a diverse group, yet tend to be less individualistically focused. If your child requires special attention in areas such as confidence building, consideration of the size is an important component, so make sure not to leave this out.

Location, location, location. In choosing location, you might want add this bit into the cost for camp costs. Keep in mind that if your child is going to potentially have a great experience, distance will surely not be such great of a deal. You want your child to have the best possible experience more than be concerned about the distance.

Good luck in searching for the perfect match for your child and your needs in your quest for the best summer camp!