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Summer Camp 5Ways to Pick the Perfect
SUBMITTED BY CHEROKEE RECREATION AND PARKS
Trying to decide where to send your child for summer camp can be overwhelming! Here are five ways to help you pick the best place for your future camper.
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1. Start with your child. Assess if the camp fits your child’s interests and needs. There are many options, from day camps to overnight residential camps, where campers can stay for a week or longer. Check the facility to see if the camp takes place indoors or outdoors. Numerous specialty camps also offer unique themes such as robotics, horseback riding and fishing. Options also include inclusive therapeutic camps.
2. Check the safety of the environment. Assess the facility to see if it appears safe and maintained. Check if the staff is required to have first aid/CPR certifications, and if they go through adequate training prior to the beginning of summer. Ask for recommendations from the community about the camp. If you read a lot of negative reviews, it might be best to look for another location.
3. Make sure it benefits your family. Review how much it costs to attend, and determine if it is financially achievable. If not, ask if they have scholarship assistance. Research the hours of operation and the dates that are available to ensure they work for you and your family, especially if you are utilizing the camp for child care. Look at the camp’s mission statements to see if its overall philosophy matches your family’s.
4. Consider the activity schedule. Ask about a day in the life of the camper so you know what your camper will be doing. Do they remain stationary all day, are they constantly rotating through activities, or are they going out on field trips within the community? Does the schedule seem repetitive or do campers get to experience new things and opportunities each day?
5. Weigh the benefits for your child. Camp should be a time for fun and allow kids to be kids. Make sure the camp looks like an environment where your child will thrive socially, and will have opportunities to grow independently or leave camp having gained a new skill. Ensure the camp can accommodate any specific needs your camper requires, supporting them in any way.
