How to choose right summer camp for kids?

Posted by gyanpro on May 21st, 2016

It's much more than s'mores and sing-alongs: Top camps provide lifelong memories and skills. Here's how to pick a winner -- and help your kid have an awesome summer.

Even before I had kids, I knew they'd go to summer camp. What child of mine wouldn't want to do the same?

It's a question many parents struggle with -- and one that camp professionals are eager to answer. Camp, they say, lets kids roam and play in a way they rarely do in their own neighbourhoods these days. It takes them away from computers, TV, and other high-tech time-suckers, swapping them for conversation, fun, and games in a natural setting. And perhaps most important, camps are no-parent zones. "Kids have to learn how to separate from their families and become resilient and independent. Camp gives them a safe way to take these steps," says Peg Smith, chief executive officer of the American Camp Association.

Day camps are a good starting point: "Kids learn about being part of a community and to cope with temporary separation," says Smith. "They're not only a good transitional step for kids but also for parents, who often need to learn these same separation skills."

Camp directors say most kids are ready for an overnight option by age 12 -- especially if they've enjoyed day programs. Whether you're thinking about sending your child to the little day camp down the street or an overnight outfit a few states away, follow these tips for planning a no-regrets summer.

Doing Your Homework on Day Camp

Clearly, when you're choosing a day camp, your options are limited to places close to home.. Good camps expect to hear from you during the selection process.  The best camps always have someone who can talk with you before, during, or after camp, or will find someone to return your call. They will always have parental references for you to speak with, and many larger ones hold open houses. What should you look for? While there are specific qualities that make some camps better for a certain child than others (a kid who loves art, for instance, might not be a good fit at a place that's all about horses), keep an eye out for these key things:

• A history. There are definitely great new camps out there. But some experts (and families) believe that operating a camp for decades, especially with the same staff, does mean something. In today's world, a camp simply couldn't stay in business for generations if it were unsafe or poorly run.

• A philosophy. Does it focus on sports? Arts? Leadership? How is this philosophy integrated into its programs?
• An emphasis on creating community. Good camps think about how they place kids together to create the most inclusive experience for all. Another hallmark of community: a scholarship program
• A well-trained staff, in adequate numbers for a low campers-to-staffers ratio (about 10 to 1 for kids ages 8 to 14). The staff should be background-checked, too, with references, an interview, and a criminal-records search.
• An element of choice. Your child will feel more independent if he can choose some activities.
• A communications plan for letting parents know about upcoming events, and for notifying them if a child becomes sick or injured.