Thinking about sending a child to Summer Camp this year? Well, you’ll soon discover selecting the right camp for your child can be an incredibly daunting task – actually, more like a process.
First, there are bunches of them to consider, assuming you don’t already have one pre-selected. And they all have something a little different to offer, so you have to prioritize based on a number of factors, including proximity, range of activities, cost, and more. 
The most important place to begin, however, is with your child. What are his or her interests? Level of maturity? Personality? If you focus on your child first the answers to the myriad questions about camp begin to fall into place and make more sense. Have a heart to heart talk with your child about expectations and what they hope to gain from a camping experience. Address some of the tougher concerns they might have that are sure to pop up before camp begins – like how they feel about being away from home, meeting new people, and trying new things.
Whether a toddler or teen, there are a wide range of camps available to meet the needs and interests of your child.
The broad categories of camps include:
- Academic – everything from computers to robotics
- Adventure – everything from mountain biking to zip lining
- Arts – everything from theatre to magic
- Environment – everything from geology to zoology
- Sports – everything from horseback riding to volleyball
- Water Activities – everything from tubing to windsurfing
When it comes to cost, keep in mind there is a camp for every kid and for every budget. Some camps offer special discounts for more than one child and many offer government assistance including Title XX. Visit www.campparents.org for more information from the American Camp Association.
