Hi mcondell-ga,
Let?s start with how to choose a summer camp.
There are tons of questions to ask yourself and the camp first before
you make a decision.
http://www.summercamp.org/guidance/pamphlet.html
? What do you and your child want to gain from the camp experience ?
Learn new skills, develop more self confidence, improving proficiency
in certain areas, become more independent?
? What are other expectations of the camp experience?
? What are the special interests that your child wants to explore?
? Are there any physical, intellectual, or social limitations that
should be considered?
? What kind of emphasis will your child profit from the most? For
example: Is a lot of structure desirable, is social interaction with
members of the opposite sex important, or does your child need a place
where he or she is encouraged to develop at their own pace?
? Is your child willing to make a commitment to spending a major
portion of the day in one activity or sport?
As you can see, there?s a lot of choices you need to sit down and
think through before you can even determine your criteria for hunting
for a summer camp.
Questions to ask the Camp.
? Is instruction given in each activity?
? Will the program encourage the child to try new things or things he
or she is not skilled in?
? What is the philosophy regarding competition and the level of competitiveness?
? Which activities are required?
? How structured is the program? Are there electives (choices the child can make)?
? What is the director's age and background? How long has the director
run this camp?
? What are the camp's goals and philosophy?
? What kind of camper is most likely to have a good experience at this camp?
? What facilities does the camp have and how convenient are they for
campers to get to?
? What is the schedule like? Is it a structured program or one that
emphasizes a lot of free choice?
? What is the camper-counselor ratio and what are the characteristics
of most of the staff?
? What kind of staff training is provided?
? What percentage of campers return each year?
? What is the total cost of the camp including extras?
? What are the sleeping arrangements and what toilet and shower facilities exist?
? What is the swimming instruction program like?
? How does the camp insure the safety and security of its campers?
? What is the food like and who prepares it?
? What is the policy about food packages, letters home, TV, trips to
town, and to forth?
? What medical facilities are available and what medical staff is on campus?
? Is there a refund policy if the camper leaves early?
? Will the director supply references?
? What happens when the weather is bad?
? How does the camp program meet individual needs and differences?
? What kind of insurance coverage is there?
Definitions of camping terms:
? Daycamp ? Daytime hours only
? Sleepaway/over camp ? A camp where your child ?lives? there for the
duration of the camping experience
? Co-ed ? Boys and girls
What to bring?
Some camps have a ?Camp Clothing List.? Inquire to weather or not your
child?s camp has one.
?This will be your best source of information for what the camp
requires and doesn?t. On lists, you?ll find the number of recommended
clothing items, toiletries, and other things to bring for special
events, like overnight campouts or themed costume activities. If you
haven?t received a clothing list, call the camp or visit their Web
site and see if the clothing list is available for download.?
The camp you choose should be able to tell you exactly what your child
will need. Make sure you ask question about electronics, such as a
GameBoy, as some camps allow things like that for free time and some
do not.
Does the camp recommend a trunk, duffel bag, or suitcase for the
child? Once again, the camp will point you in the correct direction
once you choose one.
I found a handy packing list to help you get started until you choose
a camp if you?re like me and like planning before hand as well as when
you get your packing list.
http://www.summercamp.org/CampMall/packing_list.htm
Here is a list of Camp Directories, Suppliers, and help in choosing a
camp that I looked through and thought were good sites.
http://www.mysummercamps.com/
http://www.summercamp.org/CampQuest/sub_sub_start.html
http://www.summercamp.org/CampMall/
http://www.kidscamps.com/
http://www.campsearch.com/default.jsp
http://camppage.com/
http://www.acacamps.org/
http://www.tipsontripsandcamps.com/request_information.html
http://www.chooseacamp.com/cgi-bin/night_search.cgi
Google Search: ://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=how%20to%20choose%20a%20summer%20camp&btnG=Google+Search
If this answer requires further explanation, please request
clarification before rating it, and I'll be happy to look into this
further.
Nenna-GA
Google Answers Researcher |
