Summer camps offer many opportunities for fun and adventure for your child, and the wide variety of camping options will help you find the right camp for your child at the right time. If you are making the decision about summer camp for your child, you can use these tips to make the right choice.
- Start with day camp for your young child. Most 6-8 year olds are not ready for sleepover camp beyond a few days. Talk with others in your community about summer day camp options. He will likely enjoy a camp where he has at least one other friend.
- If your child has never spent the night away from home, her first experience at sleepover camp will be difficult. However, if she has older siblings at the camp, the separation anxiety will be less. If you can, prepare her for separation from you by letting her visit friends or relatives alone for a few days. Her first experience of separation from her parents should be in a familiar environment with people she knows.
- Next, try a 3-5 day sleepover camp. Scout or church camps are good first options, and most offer shortened stays for younger kids.
- Consider your child's temperament when making the camp decision. A shy child will need support from familiar faces to adjust well at camp, while a more outgoing child might breeze right through the experience beautifully. If your child is on the shy side, take extra steps to visit the camp and familiarize her with the people and places before she attends camp.
- Consider your child's interests and needs when making the camp decision. You will find many specialty camps for sports, technology, the arts, academics, and more. An ADHD child will benefit from a camp with lots of structured activities. Camps for children with physical needs, such as chronic illness or obesity, ensure a safe, fun experience away from home. To help your child explore and develop his personal interests, choose a camp that provides a wide variety of activities.
- Include your child in the exploration of possible camps to attend, and in the decision about when and where she will attend camp. She will have a more positive attitude about camp if her thoughts and feelings are considered.
- Your preteen will benefit the most from summer camp. The camp experience will help your child develop a sense of competence and social skills needed to make a positive transition to the teen years.
Net Resources for More Information on Kids' Summer Camps
Search the Net for all kinds of summer camps for kids, from your About Guide to Camping.
Don't send your child to camp without reading the Summer Camp Preparation and Survival Guide, from About's Pittsburgh Guide.
