Choosing a Summer Camp
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Source: Federal Citizen Information Center (FCIC). (2004). Choosing a
summer camp. Retrieved March 2, 2005, from www.pueblo.gsa.gov/cfocus/cfcamps04/focus.htm
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It is getting warmer, the days are getting longer,
and the kids are getting happier, that must mean school is
almost out! And that means it is time to start thinking about
what your kids are going to be doing all summer long. We have
already been thinking about how kids spend those long summer
days, and have come up with this handy dandy guide to choosing
a summer camp.
Who should choose the camp?
As busy adults, we often make important
decisions by ourselves as quickly as we can…which
is not the best way to choose a camp for our kids.
Even a quick search for camps will show that there
are hundreds of different camps in every location to
choose from. So unless you wish your child to be exposed
to a specific point of view or exercise, choosing a
camp will likely be a difficult choice. Added to the
number of camps available is the difference in perspective
that exists between parents and children. In short,
what you think you child will enjoy is not necessarily
what they would choose if given the option. So, whenever
possible, bring your child into the process as early
as possible.
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Where on Earth do I find all of the camps?
So if there are so many different types of camps,
where do we find information about them? The answer is… just
about everywhere. As children today are often more internet
savvy than parents and guardians, a fun activity for your child
may be to search the internet (either at home or at the public
library) or go through other resources and make a list of potential
camps. Then go through the list together and choose the one
you feel is most appropriate.
In addition to your public library, there are many local sources of information
about summer camps, such as:
- Schools
- Churches
- Community centers
- Sports teams
- Clubs/Activity Groups
- Museums
Similarly, online resources are abundant and
growing in number all of the time. Some examples of online
resources about summer camps are:
Now that I know where to find the camps, how do
we choose between them?
The camp experience will have a lasting impact
on the child, so there are a number of issues that should be
seriously considered when choosing a summer camp. Some questions
you should ask yourself are:
- What do you and your child hope that they will get out
of going to camp?
- Is there a specific topic (religion, sports, and arts)
that you hope they will gain ability and experience in?
- Would it benefit your child if they interacted more with
the opposite gender?
- If you have more than one child would they benefit from
attending the same camp?
- How far from you and for how long would your child be comfortable.
If you think that your child may not be ready for residential
camp, choose a local one in case you end up making a late
night pickup.
- How much are you willing to pay? Four weeks at a good private
residential camp will cost anywhere from $3500 to $6500,
and eight weeks will range from $4000 to $7000. Non-profit
camps often range from $1200 to $3000 for four weeks and
$2500 to $5000 for eight weeks. Specialty camps can range
from $500 to $1000 per week depending on the program. Take
time to consider what you can reasonably afford.
- Does your child have any special needs that need to be
accommodated? While most camps are equipped for campers with
disabilities, not all have staff trained to work with children
with attention deficit disorder, learning disabilities, or
special medical problems.
Once you have narrowed the field to a few choices,
another set of questions should help you choose which camp
is the best one for your child.
- What is the director's background?
- How long has the director run this camp?
- What facilities does the camp have and how convenient are
they for campers to get to?
- What is the camper-counselor ratio, age, and training required
of the staff?
- What is the schedule like? Is it a structured program or
one that emphasizes a lot of free choice?
- What percentage of campers return each year?
- Are there any extra costs that may arise, like equipment
fees?
- How does the camp insure the safety and security of its
campers?
- What medical facilities are available and what medical
staff is on campus?
- Is there a refund policy if the camper leaves early?
These questions are a good starting point in
your quest to find the right camp for your child. If you spend
the time needed to research your options and include your child
in the decision, he or she will most likely have a memorable
experience that provides them opportunities to grow as a person,
while having fun and making new friends.
About MINES & Associates
For over 25 years MINES & Associates has
been a nationally recognized business psychology firm that
provides a variety of services to corporate employers including
employee assistance programs (EAP), managed mental healthcare,
organizational development and psychology services, wellness
programs, behavioral risk management, disease management, PPO
services, and a number of other technology based services.
MINES & Associates is divided into two main divisions,
Organizational Psychology and Health Psychology, and currently
serves a diverse portfolio of clients in all 50 states, Canada,
Mexico, and the UK.
Please log on to http://www.minesandassociates.com for
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