Finding a Summer Camp for a Reluctant Child

While some kids will relish the idea of spending a few weeks at a summer camp, canoeing, swimming, and meeting new children, there are those that will outright refuse until you drag their clinging fingers from your car. So how do you get reluctant children to look forward to getting out of the house for their three month vacation (and giving you a bit of peace and room)? Rather than thrusting them into a random location and allowing a counselor to dictate how they will spend their free time, try to find a place that can offer something unique that will keep them interested and even excited.


Few parents think to ask their kids about what kind of summer camp that they would like to attend. While some children may be apathetic or even upset at the idea, you may be surprised by a positive reaction. Before asking them about their opinion, it’s important to have narrowed down possible locations so that no one is disappointed by budget, distance, or other potential restrictions. Choose several options in the area and allow your children to look through the website or brochures. Even if you can only find two places, giving them some voice in the decision will likely spark some enthusiasm and less resistance to the idea. If they still refuse, have them provide you with some of their own suggestions of ways to spend their vacation. While you’re likely to get the answer, “sit in front of the television or computer,” they may surprise you and suddenly express an interest in volunteer work or learning a new skill.

Another great motivator to get kids excited about summer camp rather than dreading being torn away from their computer or video games is to include their friends. One of their pals may already be attending, so it is a good idea to keep in the loop with other parents in order to compare your options and to encourage kids to go together. You can also suggest that they invite friends to attend with them if possible. Having a close friend takes away the fear of several weeks or even months of isolation from the familiar. It also means that you’ll have another set of parents to help back you up on the plans in case of any last minute cold feet.

If your child has goals, summer camp is a great time to explore them and learn new skills. Whether it’s sports, music, acting, or something more academic, there are many camps that specialize in particular areas. A child fascinated by marine biology would be much more interested in spending their vacation time at an aquarium learning about sea life rather than practicing archery in the woods. Many locations will supply the kids with all of the material necessary such as books, musical instruments, or other necessary tools, which means it is a much cheaper initial investment than outright purchasing these materials yourself along with private lessons. Take the time to read about the activities on offer and go over them with your kids.