Summer is Coming: Time to Think About Summer Camp
camp and location. According to the American Camp Association, in June 2019, the average weekly cost of day camp was $199 to $800, while sleep away camps averaged $680 to $2,000 per week. • If you’re considering a camp for the first time, view the website thoroughly. Is it a well-put-together website? Read the online reviews and ask friends and family if they or anyone they know has had a personal experience with the camp. You’re looking for an unbiased opinion. And then consider speaking with the camp’s owner, manager, and perhaps a counselor or two to get a better feel for the camp overall. Are the counselors enthusiastic? • Know the camp’s emergency, COVID-19, safety, and other general policies and guidelines before dropping your camper off. Hopefully, with a little legwork and research up front, you’re less likely to get a “Hello Muddah…Hello Faddah” letter from your camper, and instead, he or she will have a summer camp adventure to remember.
By Tana Poncsak
School will be out in the blink of an eye, and summer will be here. Moreover, if you haven’t secured your child’s summer camp plans, now is the time to get moving. In case you’re thinking about sending your child to camp for the first time, here are some things to think about as you’re looking for the perfect fit. • Consider the age of your child – Most sources say that the age of 8 or 9 is a good age for going away to a sleepaway camp, but many professionals also add that it depends on the child as well. As parents, we know our children best and can be the best judge when it comes to each individual child. But if you’re unsure, there are some signs to look for to know if your child is ready. According to the Camp Walt Whitman website, there are 7 Telltale Signs Your Child is Ready for Sleepaway Camp. The article points out that the ability to take care of their own personal hygiene, successful sleepovers, and the ability to successfully navigate new situations are all telltale signs your child might be ready. But if you don’t feel they’re ready yet or they don’t want to go to a sleepaway camp, a local day camp may be the better choice. • Consider the child’s interests – As you’re looking to send your child off on an adventure at summer camp, give thought to the things your child likes to do and where his or her interest lies. While one child might love a sports camp, the child who is interested in art or drama may not be happy at a soccer camp. And you’ll want your child to have a good experience, especially if it’s his or her first time at camp. The good news is, there are all types of camps for most every type of camper. A quick search on the Internet or asking friends and family can help parents find a camp to fit almost any interest. From sports, arts and crafts, science and academics, religious – you name it, there’s probably a camp for it. • Consider the cost. Camps can get pricy, depending on the type of
Choice Educational Academy n Mondays and Wednesdays 9 am to 1 pm n Full Time Accredited School n Credit Recovery n Accepts Special Ed. Students n Graduate Early 271 South Culver ST. Ste. A • Lawrenceville, GA 30046
470-514-5525 • nancyg@ceaschool.com March 2022 Our Town Gwinnett
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