Summer Camp - It's More Than a Vacation
It's a place where a child learns to appreciate the outdoors and explore talents, interests and values. It's a place where skills are developed, such as teamwork, self-reliance and cooperation. It's a chance to learn, contribute and make friendships.
To help make camp a fun and memorable experience for your child, you'll want to choose a program that fits your child's age and likes. You might want to consider whether your child is developmentally ready for camp. If so, what kind of camp is the best match? What do you need to consider when looking at camps? And how can you help your child get ready?
Sending a child to overnight or day camp, especially for the first time, can be stressful for parents. By reviewing the following information, you can help prepare your child for this fun event and gain some peace of mind for yourself.
Ready or Not?
You want your child going to overnight camp to be safe, involved and happy while away. How does a parent tell if a child is ready? One of the most important considerations is whether your child has a desire to attend summer camp.
If so, the American Camping Association (ACA) suggests ages 7 - 8 as a guideline for overnight camp. However, children mature at different rates. Some 7-year-olds may adjust fine, while some 8-year-olds might panic at the sight of Mom and Dad driving away.
Take into account how your child reacts during a sleep-over at a friend's house. Is your child playing contentedly when it's time to go home, or calling you at the crack of dawn? Does your child generally become anxious when you're separated, or is your youngster independent by nature? Before sending your child to camp, you might try a weekend visit to the home of a relative or friend who has children of comparable ages.
Regardless of age, a child should be able to perform some basic tasks before attending any camp. Without these skills, a child will have to rely on counselors as baby sitters instead of the friends, instructors and role models they should be. Make sure your child can:
Tie shoelaces
Cut food
Shower
Dress
Make a bed
Fold clothes
Write a note or letter
How to Choose a Camp
Most summer camps provide a range of activities - such as swimming, hiking, archery and crafts. But some camps specialize in a particular hobby, sport or activity. Baseball, language studies, computers, bicycling, fencing and aviation are some of the topics covered extensively in specialized summer camps. Identify camps that best fit your child's needs, interests and temperament.
Talk to friends who have children and talk to the parents of your children's friends. They may have already gone through the process of choosing a camp and can share information with you. You might discover several families have children looking into the same or similar camps and you can share your thoughts and information.
Some things to consider when choosing a camp:
Type of camp: Same-sex or coed? Overnight or day camp? You might consider a specialty camp that offers a focused curriculum, such as basketball, or a special-needs camp designed for specific physical or medical disability.
Session lengths: A child may attend camp for a week or two - or an entire summer.
Cost: Fees generally range from $15 to $55 per day for those operated by nonprofit organizations, youth groups and public agencies. Fees at independent, privately run camps can range from $35 to $120 per day. Transportation to camp is generally not included, except at day camps, though some overnight camps do provide free transportation to and from the nearest metropolitan area. A camp's tuition fee may not include all the extras. Many camps charge additional fees for horseback riding, canteen (camp store) purchases, insurance, special trips and other items.
Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, "Y's" and other nonprofit agencies offer "camperships" while some religious, municipal and government agencies offer financial aid. Parents should check with local agencies and/or specific camps to find out about scholarship availability and eligibility.
Location: If you're sending your child to camp for the first time, a camp that is relatively close to your home might provide some reassurance. Not only is the area familiar, but in case of an emergency, you could be there quickly.
Program emphasis and philosophy: Does the camp provide structured activities, in which everyone is required to participate, or elective programs, in which students pick activities that interest them, or a combination?
Enrollment: Some camps close their enrollment for summer sessions as early as January or February. Start early in deciding on summer camp so you don't choose one then discover it is no longer accepting reservations. It's never too early to start thinking about camp for next summer. Some camps offer early registration fees at reduced rates.
Accreditation: Camps accredited by the ACA comply with nationally recognized health, safety and program-quality standards, including:
Emergency transportation
First aid facilities and training
Aquatic programs supervised by staff members certified in lifeguard training
Health histories, including immunizations, for all campers and staff
Emergency exits from second-floor sleeping quarters
Important Questions to Ask the Camp Director
When you've narrowed your search to two or three camps, the ACA recommends scheduling an appointment or telephone interview with the director: This meeting helps you get answers to questions or concerns that have not been answered in the brochures and videos sent out by the camps.
Some important questions to ask directors:
What is your educational and career background? Look for a bachelor's degree and prior camp administrative experience.
What do you look for when hiring counselors?
Are most of the camp counselors at least 18 years old? The ACA recommends 80 percent or more of the counseling/program staff be a least 18.
How many counselors from previous years have returned? Most camps have 40-60 percent returning staff.
What is the ratio of counselors to campers? This will vary with age and type of camp; the medium range is one staff member for every seven to eight campers.
What is the camp's philosophy? Decide whether it complements your won parenting philosophy. Is it competitive or cooperative?
What are the safety and medical accommodations at the camp? If your child has special needs, is the camp equipped to handle them?
How does the camp handle homesickness? Does the camp have recommendations for parents to help with the situation?
Does your child have access to a telephone?
How are behavioral and disciplinary problems handled? You might look for positive reinforcement, assertive role-modeling and a sense of fair play.
Is it possible to visit the camp before enrolling your child?
Can the director provide names of other families to contact for their impressions of the camp?
Does the camp offer scholarships for those who can't afford the tuition?
Is the camp accredited by the ACA? If not, why did the camp not seek accreditation?
What type of food is served and how often? Ask to see the meal plan.
Preparing Your Child for Camp
Preparation for camp starts in the planning stage. If your child is part of the decision-making process --from where to go to camp to what to pack - the youngster will likely feel better about attending. Still, many children have some anxiety about leaving home.
Here are some suggestions to minimize anxiety and make camp fun.
Talk about the possibility of homesickness. Explain to your child that it's a natural emotion felt by people of all ages when left in unfamiliar surroundings.
Acknowledge your child's feelings and respond with love and reassurance.
Be realistic. Like the rest of life, many find that a camp has high and low points. Encourage a realistic view. Talk to your child about the possible ups and downs
Try to visit the camp ahead of time so your child can become familiar with the facilities and surroundings.
Send your child a letter before camp begins so a message from home is waiting upon arrival. Pack pre-addressed, pre-stamped postcards and envelopes so it will be easy for your child to write to you.
Should your child call you from camp and want to come home, encourage trying to work things out. You might say, "If you still feel this way in two days, we'll discuss what we can do." But trust your instincts. If your child is not enjoying anything, not adjusting to camp life and having a miserable time, you might allow the child to return home.
Packing Tips for Camp
You should receive information on policies and procedures before your child is ready to go. The following checklist would help you decide what you do or don't need to pack:
? Bedding: Sleeping bags, sheets, blankets and pillows are usually the camper's responsibility. Most beds are twin size or smaller and may be bunk style. Some camps supply linens.
Towels: Usually supplied by the camper.
Clothing: Most camps supply a list of recommended clothing that varies with the climate. Be sure to pack long pants (for hikes and/or horseback riding) as well as shorts. Comfortable, durable shoes are a must, while special footwear is advisable for certain activities (tennis, hiking, horseback riding). Use a permanent marker or name tags to identify your child's belongings. Some camps require campers to wear uniforms. Some camps will furnish the uniforms while others will provide you with ordering information.
Toiletries: A small bag can be handy for toiletries if a camper has to walk to a separate building for showering and bathing. It is wise to pack sunscreen, lip balm and insect repellent, soap, toothpaste and toothbrush, shampoo, a hairbrush and comb, and deodorant (if your child uses it).
Laundry: Generally, sessions under two weeks don't include laundry service. You might send a pillow case or laundry bag to store dirty clothing.
Equipment: Camps usually provide items such as oars, life jackets and craft materials, but check with the camp to be sure. The camper may want to bring a tennis racquet, musical instrument or backpack. Don't pack radios, televisions, portable CD players, stereos, food or hunting knives.
Spending Money: Camps have different policies on children bringing spending money. Some have stores that sell T-shirts, film, candy and other items. Check with the camp staff.
Medicine: Any medication should be properly labeled in its original container with dosage instructions and given to the camp's medical personnel for safe keeping.
Insurance: Camper health and accident insurance may be provided by the camp. You might be asked to bring information of family health and accident coverage. Be sure to ask the camp director if there are additional charges for insurance.
Day Camps
If overnight camp is not the right choice for your youngster or if your child is younger than 7, check into the many summer day camp programs available in your local community. YMCAs, scouting programs and parks and recreation departments often provide day camps. It can even prepare your child for overnight camp. Some points to consider when choosing a day camp:
Accreditation: The ACA has specific standards only for day camps. Find out if the day camp is ACA accredited.
Training: Is the staff trained in safety, supervision, counseling, problem solving and other issues important to working with young children?
Cost: Is the price all-inclusive or do extra charges apply for transportation, horseback riding, food service, group pictures, T-shirts and other items?
Transportation: If before and after camp is offered to accommodate working parents, who is with the children and what activities take place then?
Lunch: Is lunch served, or do campers bring their own?
Swimming: If swimming is offered, are lessons included, or is swimming only recreational?
Supervision: Does one counselor stay with a group all day? Or are campers free to roam from one activity to another? If so, who supervises children in the interim?
Visits: Are parents allowed to drop by for visits?
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Summer Camp - It's More Than a Vacation
Our neighbor's son had been went camp in Spain and Greece... will go to Rome this summer as well...
We save up like mad.... I suggest Travel Agency where we will book for Danny last Friday, to agree to pay monthly rate until end of July. They agreed... I´m releived when they understand and accept monthly rate. 
