Top Ten Myths About Choosing A Camp
by Cynthia Vega
When faced with the daunting prospect of choosing a sleepaway
camp for a child a parent has a lot to consider, especially if it
is a first time camp experience. A lot of misconceptions abound
about summer camp and what goes into choosing the best one for
each child. What follow is a list of the Top Ten Myths About
Choosing a Camp.
Myth #1 - "For children prone to homesickness, a
shorter camp session is best"
Fact: In reality, a longer camp stay allows a child to
get over any homesickness, make new friends and enjoy the complete
camp experience. Once they have done this they feel a real sense
of accomplishment.
Myth #2 - "If another child liked this camp then it
must be a good one for my child."
Fact: Program offerings and philosophies vary from camp
to camp. Some are more sports oriented, some more artistic, and
some more competitive. Just as no two children are alike, a camp
that is a great fit for one child may be a poor choice for another
child.
Myth #3- "The proximity of the camp to my home is
what's most important."
Fact: That's OK if the best camp for the child happens
to be close by, but that's often not the case. It's better to
select the right camp, regardless of location, than a wrong one
that's near by. In the event of an emergency, parents can't be at
the camp immediately regardless of where the camp is. One can
generally fly to camps that may be further away, often arriving
there sooner than driving to one that may be closer to home.
Myth #4- "Specialty Camp vs. General camp: My child
loves baseball so I'll send him to a baseball camp for a couple of
weeks."
Fact: This may be OK if the child has already attended a
general camp, is a little older and ready to handle the intensity
of a one activity camp. We recommend a general camp for a child's
first sleepaway experience. General camps are more nurturing and
spend time helping children to adjust to being away. from home.
They also offer children exposure to a variety of activities,
which often generates new interests for a child. Specialty camps
are there to instruct and provide intensive skill development and
tournament play (if it's a sports specialty camp).
Myth #5-"The best camps are the most expensive
ones."
Fact: While it's true that you generally get what you
pay for, there is a wide range of camp tuitions available; from
about $400 to $1200 per week. Some very good programs are
available at the lower end of the spectrum. Look at all the
factors, not just at price.
Myth #6- "My child must go with a friend to
camp."
Fact: This may aid in the process of getting the child
to go to camp but once there it typically does more harm than
good. Friends that go together to camp often stick together
alienating themselves from the group and preventing a very
important aspect of camp from taking place; making new friends.
Occasionally, the more independent child will begin making friends
leaving the other child feeling abandoned and betrayed. The result
of which can be a strained camp experience and two former friends.
Myth #7-"My child is too young or not ready for
camp."
Fact: Frequently the parent is really expressing that
they as a parent are not ready for the child to leave the nest and
go to camp!
Historically families who send younger children to camp (ages
6-10) report a much easier adjustment and better overall
experience. Older children have a more developed sense of fear
which can hinder the adjustment process, teens can often be
rebellious and fight the notion of going to camp, and for older
children they may be the newcomer in a camp with children that
have been attending for years.
Myth #8- "I need to visit the camp before I make my
selection."
Fact: Some families are early planners and do visit
camps the summer before they send their kids to camp. This is
really the only useful time to pre-visit, when the camp is in
session. To visit during the off-season, when camp is closed is to
see nothing more than a closed down facility- dull and
uninformative at best. Most families, (over 90%,) choose the camps
for their children without first pre-visiting. Today, most camps
have videotapes and websites which are a great way to see a camp
in action. It's also wise to request and speak with references
(parents of children that have attended the camp).
Myth #9- "I'll start my planning in the
spring."
Fact: Not a wise idea! The past 2 years a record number
of children, over 6 million each summer, have attended camp.
Demand has outgrown supply. Many families have ended up on waiting
lists that never opened up. The slowing economy is not expected to
have much of an effect on the growing demand for summer camp.
Families should begin their camp selection process as early as
possible. The peak months for camp enrollment are December through
March. Some great camps are still available in the spring but it's
a risky game of hit and miss.
Myth #10 - "Not every child is cut out for camp, so
maybe camp is not for us."
Fact: While it is true that not every camp is right for
every child, there is a camp out there where each child can
thrive. Regardless of a child's personality or nature camp can
afford them the chance to have fun, make new friends, develop
skills and cultivate new interests. What's important is to
understand the child's style and interests and find a camp that
meshes with those. For example, sending a child whose passion is
performing arts to a competitive, sports oriented camp will
probably be a disappointment to all. Camps may sometimes try to be
all things to all children but take the time to really explore
what each camp offers in the areas that interest your child. And
keep in mind, siblings can be very different, so a camp that has
been a success for one child may or may not be the perfect place
for the child that follows.
Parents should be prepared to discuss any of these or other
concerns they have with the directors of the camps they are
considering. When you feel that you have found one on the same
wavelength, you can be comfortable and confident in making your
camp decision.
Every child should have the chance to grow emotionally, gaining
self confidence and independence. These are the benefits of the
camp experience and every child should be given the opportunity to
experience summer camp!
Cynthia Vega is a Director at National Camp Association, (www.summercamp.org)
a free referral service that has been helping families find the
right overnight programs for their children for nearly 20 years.
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