If you have a child summer camp may be something that you are considering. Whether you went to summer camp as a child or not, you recognize that this can be a great opportunity for your child to make new friends and learn new skills and interests. Don't limit your choices to the traditional child summer camp; you have a wide number of alternatives that you may find even more attractive. But, before you make any decision there are several things that you should think about. You will need to think about the age and maturity level of your child, what their interests and goals are, and what you can afford to spend for camp. Above all, child summer camp should be something that is a positive learning experience for your child. If your child is younger than 9, you will probably want to consider a day child summer camp rather than a sleep away camp. If you feel like they are mature enough to sleep away, one to three nights should be the maximum. Once they are ready to go to a sleep away camp, you can have a trial run at a friend's or relative's home for the weekend before they go to child summer camp. Many cities, churches, and even some child care centers offer child summer camp opportunities for day campers of all ages. They may run for a week or a few weeks. Some offer general interest activities such as bowling, swimming or movies, while others are more specialized with sports, music, art, or computers. Sleep away camps offer many of the same types of choices for child summer camp, but you can also find scout camps, film making camps, and even weight loss camps. The possibilities are nearly endless, and you can get a lot of ideas if you look online. The cost of attending summer camp is a huge consideration for most families. Day camps are usually cheaper. You can find out if the camp offers any ability or need-based scholarship opportunities for participants who qualify. But camps can cost anywhere from less than one hundred dollars, to thousands of dollars depending on the camp. Make sure that you ask a lot of questions about the camp. Ask to see a schedule, and find out about staff training and group sizes. |
