There are an amazing variety of camps to meet the needs and interests of most children. A key difference between camps is whether they are day camps or overnight (resident) camps.
With Day Camps your child attends camp during the day, but returns home each afternoon or evening. Many day camps have before and after camp care to accommodate the schedules of working parents.
Overnight Camps, also referred to as resident camps, involve children spending a week or more at camp without coming home during this period. Overnight camps are often held at universities or wilderness locations. Overnight camps are typically limited to children who are at least 8 years old.
Another distinguishing factor is general vs. specialty. General Camps are what many parents experienced as children… a mix of sports, games, arts & crafts, swimming and often a weekly field trip. Fortunately, many community camps offered by cities, YMCAs, churches, and scouts still offer this type of summer fun for your children. General camps are often a good fit for younger children.
By contrast, Specialty Camps focus on specific areas of interest, such as theater, art, computers, horseback riding or soccer. The camp program is designed to teach your children specific skills and give them the opportunity to practice and improve in their area of interest. Specialty camps often appeal to older children.
Academic Camps are designed to provide children who are enthusiastic learners with academic instruction and experiences beyond what they typically receive during the school year. Most academic camps utilize fun learning activities and frequent breaks to strike a balance between academics and summer fun. Academic camps are often held at K-12 private school campuses and local universities.
Science & Technology Camps utilize fun, exciting, and challenging activities to feed your child’s interest in science and technology. Topics may include engineering, mathematics, computers, architecture, chemistry, biology, ecology, space and more. Most science camps utilize fun learning activities with frequent play or socialization breaks. Science and Technology camps are often held at K-12 school campuses, local universities or science museums.
Art, Music, Dance & Theatre Camps are a fun and creative summer activity. Most Arts Camps are held at art schools, studios, or museums.
Animals, Nature & Outdoor Camps combine learning, fun and fresh air! Your child can spend time in the woods or on the water learning about plants, animals, and the environment.
Sports Camps are great way to introduce your child to a new sport or hone skills in sports your child already loves. Many sports camps are offered at local schools and college campuses and instructed by their coaching staff and players. Of course there are great soccer, baseball, and gymnastics camps, but don’t forget about fencing, rock climbing, martial arts, surfing, sailing and horseback riding.