Finding the right camp starts with identifying your goals for your child’s camp experience and evaluating your child’s needs, personality and interests. Consider the questions below to help you identify great camp options for your child.
What are your goals for summer camp?
Is the main goal to fill the need for summer childcare while you work? Do you want your child to improve in an area she’s struggling in or learn a new skill? Do you want to avoid having your child glued to the TV or computer all summer?
What type of camp is your child ready for?
Younger children enjoy general day camps that include a mix of fun activities. Older children typically enjoy specialty camps or resident (overnight) camps. Visit Camp Readiness and Types of Camps to help you determine the type of camp your child will enjoy.
What are your child’s special interests?
If your child is enthusiastic about art, sports, technology or another activity, consider camps that focus on her interest.
Should camp be comfortable or challenging for your child?
Do you want camp to be a fun and easy break from school or do you want camp to improve your child’s academic or social skills?
What environment is your child most comfortable in?
Does your child prefer to be indoors or outdoors? Does she prefer a high-energy environment with a bit of chaos or a calm and structured environment? Does she interact best in small groups or is “more the merrier”?
Once you’ve considered what environment your child is most comfortable in, decide whether to choose a camp that’s a good match for this or one that’s a bit of stretch and may enable her to grow or improve in a certain area.
Where are your child’s friends and classmates going to camp?
Ask other parents, particularly those with older children, about the camps their children have enjoyed in the past and their plans for the coming summer. It’s usually a good sign when several families recommend the same camp and their children want to return there year-after-year..
Does your child have any special needs?
Does your child have a medical condition, physical limitation, or development challenge that will need to be accommodated at camp? In general, if your child requires special support in school, he should have similar support at camp. Discuss your child’s needs with the Camp Director to determine whether or not the camp will be a good fit for your child.
What is your budget for summer camp?
Camp costs generally start around $200 per week for community day camps and can exceed $1000 per week for specialty, overnight camps. Many camps give discounts for siblings and some offer scholarships for families that can’t afford full tuition.
How many weeks of summer camp will your child attend?
Your budget as well as your work and vacation schedules will probably determine how many weeks of camp your child will attend. Consider whether your child should attend a single camp for several consecutive weeks, try different camps, or take time off between camp sessions.
Should your child attend a camp near or far from home?
Day camps need to be close to home to facilitate daily drop-offs and pick-ups. However, resident (overnight) camps are often outside your community and sometimes outside your state. Outdoor resident camps are usually in remote locations that you will need to drive your children to. Academic and Sports resident camps are held at college campuses throughout the country. Consider travel options, costs, and time requirements when selecting resident camps.
Also, consider whether or not your child will be comfortable far from home. Younger children with less camp and travel experience should attend camp relatively close to home, while older children may enjoy and benefit from the adventure of traveling to a distant camp.