Planning for summer before January feels like planning for Christmas during Halloween. But camps fill up fast and exploring summer options with your child is worth the advanced research.

Approximately 10 million children nationwide attend day, overnight camp and summer programs. The benefits are far reaching – from providing kids with peer-filled fun and learning, to giving them independence and improving their problem-solving and teamwork skills.

Take the time this winter to sit down with your child or teen, ask what they want from this coming summer and research the possibilities. Talk to program directors and high school counselors or college counselors if you or working with one for unique teen opportunities to help build on their interests and college applications.

What’s Out There?

Summer Camps

  • Traditional camps offer a wide range of activities, from athletics to crafts to confidence-building skills.
  • Specialty camps meet a child’s particular interest, such as drama, music or sports.
  • Travel camps take campers on hikes, bikes, horseback or canoe rides in parks or other outdoor sites, including abroad.
  • Preschool camps are day programs for young children beginning at age 2.9.C
  • Special-needs camps are designed to meet the needs of children with physical, mental or learning disabilities. Some camps combine children with and without special needs for all or part of the day. Others focus on kids with a specific disability. 
  • Sleepaway/Overnight camps can be from 3 days to 6 weeks and allows campers to develop independence and self-reliance.

Summer Programs

  • Pre-College exploration programs will give your teen the opportunity to explore different college majors with and give them exposure of college life for a week to six weeks.
  • Language Immersion in a another country
  • Summer Semester in-person or online at a community college to earn college credits
  • Summer Semester taking college classes at a four year college of interest.
  • Summer Intensive Programs to enhance a students skills in for example, coding, robotics, math, science, sports, dance,  music or art
  • Adventure Programs in country or abroad, hiking, kayaking, working with organizations to improve the area, for example.

 

What to Ask About Day Camp

Ask for specifics on:

√ Background and experience of the director.

√  Criteria for hiring staff – Average age, experience level, background checks. 

√  Ratio of staff to campers – Look for one staff member for every six campers ages 7 and 8; one for every 10 campers ages 9-14; and one for every 12 campers ages 15-17.

√  Staff expertise at a specialty camp – A music camp should have professional music teachers instructing campers, for example.

√  Tuition and other expenses – Is financial aid available? Will a trip outside the camp cost extra? Is there a refund policy?

√  Condition and safety of facilities and equipment – Are there unprotected cliffs, swamps or dangerous water areas? Is the equipment in good condition? Safety rules, campsite security, etc.?

√  How medical care is handled

√ Camp philosophy – A clear statement of goals and a program that meets those goals.

√  Activities planned

√  Schedule and pace of a typical camp day

√  Age range of campers

√  Food served

√  Camp hours (regular and extended-day).

√  Transportation (availability, type of transport, driver experience). 

 

Planning on Sleep-Away Camp, Travel Program or Onsite Summer Program?

Decisions about camp, from the program selected to what to pack, should be made together. The younger the camper the more input a parent will need to have. The more ownership your camper has in these decisions, the easier the adjustment and transition to overnight camp will be. 

What to Ask Overnight Camp or Program Staff – Ask the same questions as those for day camp staff (above), but also inquire about:

√ The director’s or leadership availability to participants

√ Supervision and free time

√ How homesickness or illness is handled

√ Condition of living quarters (bathrooms, electricity, wifi in dorms or cabins, oversees with host families, etc.).  

 

Gear Up!

There’s a lot more to consider than just shorts and T-shirts when packing for overnight camps and programs. The following tips to can help families get ready: 

  • Pack light. Your child will be living out of a duffel bag, trunk, or suitcase for the duration. Packing light will help her keep track of items. 
  • Check packing lists. Individual programs  usually provide a recommended packing list. Review it carefully and take note of items that aren’t permitted.
  • Label everything. Laundry pens, iron-on labels, and press-and-stick labels on clothing, toiletries and personal items are a must if you want your child to return home with his belongings intact. Show your child the labels to be sure he knows what they look like and can identify them.
  • Pack the right shoes. Make sure your child’s footwear is comfortable and appropriate. Sending a camper in brand-new hiking boots can result in sore feet and time spent sitting out of exciting activities. Break in any new footwear before camp. 

 

Packing Lists – This head-to-toe packing list, to ensure that your child is prepared for almost any summer camp activity:

  • Headgear – bandanas, baseball caps, eyeglasses, sunglasses, and swimming goggles.
  • Clothing – T-shirts/tank tops, shorts, long pants, a jacket, a swimsuit, pajamas and robe, sweater or sweatshirt, socks and underwear.
  • Footwear – hiking boots, tennis shoes, sandals, shower shoes and socks.
  • Needed Specialty Program Materials for sports, Pre-college or college electronic needs, instruments etc.
  • Bed and bath materials – Towels, a blanket, pillow, pillowcases, sheets, sleeping bag, laundry bag & detergent, and mattress pad.
  • Bathroom kit – Brush and comb, shampoo, soap and soap container, toothbrush and holder, toothpaste, deodorant, insect repellent, feminine products (for girls), sun block, shaving gear, and sun protection lip balm.
  • Other items – Books and magazines, flashlights and batteries, a water bottle, and writing materials. Check camp policies about any electronics, musical instruments or other special gear.

Hugs from Home

With the proliferation of email, social media and texts, letter writing is becoming a lost art to younger generations. So letters between you and your camper are unique reminders of that time in your child’s life. Many camps have a no electronic policy so letter writing or emails may be the only way to communicate non-emergency messages.

  • Give your child pre-addressed, stamped envelopes or postcards to make writing home about camp activities that much simpler.
  • Send a note or postcard to the camp in advance, so that an enthusiastic and encouraging message from home will be there right when he arrives.
  • Care packages are always appreciated. Just check with the camp director about policies regarding what items may or may not be included. Dropping care packages off with camp staff when your bring your child to camp will ensure that the items get to your child in a timely manner.
  • Avoid mentioning how much you, the family and even pets miss your child. It may cause unnecessary homesickness and worry.
  • Many camps allow you to see photos and video of daily activities on their Web sites. You may even be able to send an email to your camper that can be printed out and delivered with the regular mail. Check first to see if this is allowed, since many camps prefer traditional letter correspondence from home.