• Single-day camps are one-day events, either full or partial day; Ideal for ages 5 and up.
Things to Consider When Choosing Camps Every family has different factors to consider when choosing the best camps for their kids. Things like personal preferences, ages, budget and work schedules are all important factors, in addition to the following:
So Many Camp Options
Rebecca Hastings
How to decide what’s best for my kids “Mom! I want to go to camp! My friends go every summer and have so much fun. They do lots of cool stuff. Can I go—please?” Maybe you’ve heard something like this from your children. They hear about fun camp activities their friends do or how they met so many people, and they want to have the same experiences. But not every type of camp is suitable for every child. It’s worth the effort to think about and discuss with your kids. From summer-long sleepaway camps to local day camps that last a few hours, there are options for every family.
Understand Different Camp Types Before registering for spring or summer camp, it is important to understand the types of camp available. It’s the first step in thinking through what works best for your child and family. Sleepaway Camps (also called overnight camp or resident camp) • Long-term camps are three weeks or longer and best for ages 10 and up who have experience being away from home and parents.
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• Short-term camps are two weeks or less and typically best for ages 8 and up who have experience being away from home and parents. • Single overnights are more rare, but sometimes combined with a day camp program. They are best for ages 7 and up who have previously spent the night away from parents. Day Camps • Long-term summer day camps are full-day programs that last three consecutive weeks or more. Kids go home at the end of each day. They are ideal for ages 5 and up. • Weekly full-day programs are usually five consecutive days (Monday thru Friday) and ideal for ages 5 and up. Week-long camps give parents flexibility to sign up for different themes and different weeks that are not consecutive. • Half-day (or partial) camps are 2–5 hours a day for multiple (often consecutive) days. They are ideal for toddlers and up (depending on programming).
Purpose Consider why you want your child to attend camp. Ask yourself the following questions: • Is my child asking to attend camp or showing any interest? • Do I need camp for childcare? • Do I want my child to develop confidence and leadership skills? • Do I want my child to make new friends? • Am I looking for my children to have unique experiences while they’re out of school? • Is there some other motivator? Other Factors Once you understand the motivators, consider these factors as well: • How far am I willing to drive for drop off and pick up? • Are my kids ready to sleep away from home? If so, how long am I willing to allow them to be gone? • What is our budget? Focus Next, think about camp themes, topics and areas of focus. There are dozens to consider. • SOCIAL: While all camps have a social element, some camps have a focus on social interaction, SEL and relationship building. • ACADEMIC: These camps may include writing, history, STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) or college prep. • SPECIALTY TOPIC: Camp programs that focus on a specific
