| Find the perfect summer camp for your child's needs. | | | | Have you begun thinking about which summer camp is |
| Day Camp versus Residential Camp: Some kids love | | | | best for your child? With some 7,000 camps across |
| the chance to be 'on their own' for a week or two, | | | | the nation, and more internationally, it's no wonder |
| while others won't sleep well and are nervous away | | | | parents find it hard to sortthrough all the information. |
| from home. Consider geography as well: a day camp | | | | Below are some tips to help you find the perfect |
| that's far from home means a parent must make the | | | | camp to fit your child. |
| drive twice each day. If your child has special needs, | | | | Finding Camps: Once you've narrowed down the |
| such as medication, consider whether a residential | | | | camp style and location, there are a variety of |
| camp will be able to accommodate these needs. | | | | directories to help you find possible summer programs. |
| Camp Location: If you're after a day camp, you'll want | | | | Visit to search by day or residential camps, special |
| tofind camps in your general area. However, if you're | | | | themes, and other options. You may also want to ask |
| planning on sending your child to a residential camp, the | | | | other local parents if they have any recommendations, |
| possibilities are endless. Depending on the age of your | | | | as they're a great source of information. |
| child, you may wish to send them to an area that | | | | Choosing the Best: Now that you have a short list of |
| they're interested in, or that offers the activities they | | | | available camps, check to see whether the camp |
| enjoy. With a high-school age student, you might wish | | | | programs are accredited, such as with the American |
| to consider a camp located on a college campus, to | | | | Camping Association ( Accreditation means the camp |
| give your student a feel for whether they would like to | | | | complies with health and safety standards, program |
| attend that school. | | | | quality requirements, and carefully screens their staff. |
| Camp Specialty: From baseball to scuba diving, from | | | | Making the Final Decision: Request brochures, videos, |
| music to academics, there are a host of activity | | | | and other information from the camps that have |
| camps available. Begin by considering your child's | | | | passed the above requirements. Factors to consider |
| interests, and whether there are any activities in which | | | | include the length of time the camp has been in |
| they'd like to improve. Next, consider your observations | | | | business, testimonials, and the camp pricing. Don't |
| of your child's skills - are there any areas, such as | | | | forget to include travel to and from the camp in your |
| reading or math, in which you would like to see | | | | cost calculations. Feel free to call the camp to ask any |
| improvement? You may need to compromise your | | | | specific questions, particularly if you child may need |
| child's dream of a boating camp with your desire to | | | | special accommodations. Finally, go over the materials |
| improve his or her study skills. Consider looking for a | | | | with your child, and choose a camp that you and your |
| camp that might serve both needs. | | | | child will be comfortable with. |