Choosing the right summer camp for your child can be a daunting task, and sometimes we're just a little short of ideas about where to start. With a few pointers you'll be able to navigate the process with more ease and confidence.
Few activities have a more important impact on a child's life than summer day camp. So if you're a parent and you're thinking about summer camp for your child, then making an informed choice is extremely important. Before you can determine the best summer camp for your child, there are many factors you should consider. Near Syracuse where I live, summer camps offer children opportunities to learn, develop physically and make new friends.
Here are some tips on finding the right summer camp for your child:
1. All children are different and so they all have different needs. You should therefore keep in mind that the camp you choose must be age-appropriate, meet the mental, emotional and physical needs of your child.
2. Discuss with your child which activities and goals your child and you want to gain from going away for summer. You can go online to stimulate the conversation by looking up the ones in your area.
3. Make sure you determine the cost of the camp well ahead of time so you have time to compare with others. Remember that many of them offer payment plans, so don't despair if the one you want seems a little out of reach. They can be quitre accomodating.
4. Create a long list of summer camps available on your own, then make a shortlist with your child. This will help you narrow down the choice all while getting a glimpse into your child's hopes and desires which he or she might not otherwise reveal to you.
5. Enquire about attitudes and policies of the camp. Does it offer a wide variety of programs or does it focus on one principle activity? Try to put yourself in the mindset of the people who run this particular camp and see if you feel at ease with what they stand for. Remember, like individuals, each organization has its own character.
6. Find out what you can about who the sponsors are behind the camp. In general, summer camps are run by organizations that have outside activities as well. It can be a municipal organization or be privately funded. As with most things, the privately funded summer camps are generally better equipped and offer a better experience. It all depends on what you and your child are looking for.
