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?
For More Information
The American Camping Association: Check your
telephone directory for a local ACA office, or contact the
national office at 5000 State Road 67-N, Martinsville, IN
46151-7902; 765/342-8456. The ACA offers a free brochure,
"What's the Best Thing You Can Do for Your Child This
Summer?"
Camp Fairs: Camp fairs are held during the
off-season at many schools and/or public facilities. Camp
directors offer slides or videotapes along with brochures
explaining the camp's activities and philosophies. To find out
about upcoming camp fairs in your area, contact the ACA.
Referral Services: Some regional offices of the
ACA provide referrals as a free service to parents. Experienced
staff take basic information (age of child, activities they enjoy,
type of camp they are looking for, price range, location, etc.)
and then have brochures and videos sent for your review. Private
referral agencies will meet with parents and then forward the
prospective camper's name to several camps; the camps will then
contact the parents. Most of these firms charge the camp, while
others chare the family a flat fee. If you use this type of
service, be sure you understand the financial arrangement and who
is responsible for payment.
Reference Materials
Guide to ACA-Accredited Camps
Available from libraries, bookstores or by calling the American
Camping Association at 800/428/CAMP
$19.95
Nature in a Nutshell for Kids
Jean Potter, John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
$12.95
The Basic Essentials of Camping
Cliff Jacobson, ICS Books, Inc.
$7.95
The Working Parents' Handbook
June Solnit Sale and Kit Kollenberg, Simon & Schuster
$13.00
Internet Information
American Camping Association
(http://www.aca-camps.org)
KidsCamps Homepage
(http://www.kidscamps.com)
Peterson's Education Center
(http://www.petersons.com)
The Camp and Conference Homepage
(http://www.camping.org)
For more information on other Life Advice
resource booklets available from Metlife, visit their Web site at www.metlife.com.
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