The summer holidays are racing toward us, and they somehow feel incredibly short but agonisingly long at the same time. Finding things to occupy your kid’s time is important, not only for them but for you too! Summer camps are a great option for kids, they can be transformative, but you need to choose the right one. What should you be looking for in a summer camp for your kid? Read on to find out.
Your Child’s Interests
One of the first metrics that you will need to use is considering what your kid is into and whether you can find a camp that feeds into those interests. Why don’t you sit down with your kid and talk things through a little and ask them what they want to do? Are there any hobbies or interests that you can keep in mind when looking for a camp? If you live in a more urban area, maybe you want to think about an adventure camp like the ones provided by PGL, which gets them outdoors and gives them experiences that they wouldn’t otherwise have.
Are your kids’ friends going anywhere, and could you send yours to the same place? Obviously, they would make new friends anyway, but if you have an anxious child, them knowing that they are going to have friends there can help. Try to keep your child included in the process. Lastly, remember to think about your needs, too. Will you be able to commit financially and logistically?
Day Camp or Sleepaway Camp
The next consideration is: day camp or sleepaway camp? A day camp, if you can find one nearby, is like taking your kid to school every day. You still have them every night, but they spend all day at these places. A sleepaway camp, as I’m sure you can guess, the kids spend all their time there for however long the camp lasts. Think about which one is going to fit best into your schedule and where your kid is going to feel the most comfortable.
Childcare Considerations
Obviously, you want your kid to be safe at camp, which is why you should make sure that you are looking into the childcare processes in place. This means looking at ratios, how many adults to kids are there? How big is the camp overall? If your child has social anxiety or doesn’t do well in large groups, then a smaller camp is going to be better. Is the camp provider fully accredited with all the certifications necessary? There are childcare regulations set out by the government, and any camp you take your kid should obviously be adhering to them. This speaks to the safety of the camp overall.
Final Thoughts
The best thing about summer camps is that when you find a good one, your kid is going to want to go back year after year, which ideally means that you only must do all this research and work once. While you are the one making the decision, it is well worth asking your kid for some input to make sure that they are happy with your choice too.