The Summer Camp Search

A key component of the summer for thousands of kids across the country is going to summer camp, where they can make formative memories and friendships during their time off from school.

For parents, choosing the right camp for their child is a task that can be somewhat stressful, as there are a lot of questions to ask and factors to consider before committing time and money to a particular camp.

So, what should parents know before choosing a camp for their child this summer?

Getting Started

According to the American Camp Association (ACA), the national accrediting body for camps of all types and an organization of camp professionals with more than 10,000 members, many camps open up their registration process in January and early February, making winter the recommended timeframe to narrow camp choices down.

The ACA adds that it’s important to include your child in the decision-making process.
Going over materials on various camp websites with your child can help ensure that the camp experience is one that they will be interested in and gives them familiarity with the programs, facilities and staff they’ll be exposed to at camp.

It’s possible that your first choice will have a waitlist or be sold out by the time you apply, depending on popularity. That’s why it’s important to have a few backups.

What Type of Camp

With more than 20,000 camps in the United States, there’s a seemingly endless array of options to choose from with different structures and offerings.

The two most common types of camps are resident camps that offer overnight accommodations and day camps that send kids home at the end of each day.

The ACA notes that resident camps typically open their programs to kids starting at age 7, while day camps include younger campers, starting around 4 years old.

But that age range is not a hard indicator of readiness, and it’s important to gauge what type of camp your child will be able to handle on their own, especially as resident camps offer younger children a very new experience in being away from their parents and home for an extended period of time.

Within these camp structures, there are a range of offerings including specialty programs for specific interests like music or horseback riding, outdoor adventure camps, camps for children with disabilities, family camp and so much more.

Cost is another important factor for families choosing a camp, and the ACA puts the average cost at $85 per day for resident camps and $43 per day for day camps. But the organization adds that many camps and outside organizations offer need-based financial assistance to help more kids go to camp.

Questions to Ask

Before sending your child off to camp, there are several important questions to ask, and the answers can have a noticeable impact on the experience for each child.

For resident camps, it’s important to consider the location, which can range from mountains to forests to the coastline.

Daily structure is another factor, such as seeing how much control the kids have over their activities and what those activities are. Does the camp offer a variety of activities or focus on a specialty skill?

Also, think about the session length and how easy it is to contact your child while they’re away. Check in about dietary and physical accommodations, if your child
requires them.

For day camps, consider transportation availability. Is transportation offered or do parents have to take their kids to and from camp? Be aware of any extra charges for camp-provided transportation and extended care.

Check if the camp has accreditation from the ACA, what the level of training for staff members is and who will be with the kids at each step of the day. Additionally, see if lunch/snacks are provided.

There is always more to dig into when it comes to camp, so above all, consider what’s most important to you and your child and make a list of must-haves or deal-breakers.
With all this in mind, camp season is right around the corner. Happy searching!