SUMMER CAMP 2020
10
Tips to Choosing the Right Day Camp By Denise Morrison Yearian
Summer day camp is a place where children can stretch their minds, exercise their bodies and develop new friendships and interests. Following are 10 tips on how you can choose the right day camp for your child.
1. LOOK, LISTEN & LEARN.
Talk with your child to find out what his interests are. As you do, get a list of camps, show him what the options are and ask if any of these interest him. If there is a camp fair, take your child along and visit the tabletop displays. Also talk with people whose children previously went to a camp you are considering to see if they had a good experience.
2. VALUE IN VARIETY. Ask your child if he wants to do one activity or have a variety of experiences. A lot of parents think they have to be tied down to one camp, but it is okay to send your child to different places. Enroll him in a traditional camp for several weeks then a specialized camp for a week or two then maybe a scouting camp. This adds variety and makes the summer more exciting.
3. CONSIDER YOUR FAMILY’S NEEDS. If you have two working
26 | birminghamparent | february 2020
parents with set schedules, check to see if the program you are considering has before care and after care. Also ask friends in similar situations if they want to put their kids in the same program so you can coordinate rides.
4. FOCUS ON FRIENDSHIPS.
Friendships are an important part of camp so factor that into your decision. The focus of day camp is to have fun and teach skills, and a lot of that is done through face-to-face interaction with peers. Have your child go with a friend, but encourage him to make new friends there.
5. LOOK AT LOCATIONS. Most
families want a camp close to home or work or one somewhere along the way, but convenience shouldn’t be the only consideration. If your child has a specific interest and there isn’t a program close by, it may be worth driving five to ten miles out of the way to get what you’re looking for.
6. PONDER PROGRAM
LENGTH. Day camps run from several hours to a full day, so consider your child’s participation level in light of his age and developmental level, as well as previous camp or group setting experience. Find out how many activities he will be doing in a day and determine if he can keep up the pace. If you still have reservations, ask the camp director what he suggests.
