Do you have a goal when picking a summer camp for your child?
Depending on the goal, selecting the right summer camp for your child might be just as important as choosing a school. And that’s the first key: having a goal.
Have a goal
If your goal is to simply keep your child occupied over the summer break, every camp will fit that bill and your choice is quite simple. However, the choices narrow down if you and your child want to accomplish something different.
Want to fight summer brain drain? Many local schools are now offering academic camps that explore fun subjects like astronomy or robotics. If it’s something your child is interested in, it won’t seem like school. On the other hand, if the goal is communing with nature or learning life skills, a more traditional camp is for you.
Solicit opinions—but not too many
Word of mouth is always your best resource in finding anything, but summer camps are different than finding a landscaper. The personalities of both the parents and their child have to be weighed with their advice. Their idea of success, or their child’s ideas of fun, might be completely divergent from your own. Listen to the people you have the most in common with.
Know your child
Perhaps you’ve already run into the scenario of your child wanting to try a new club or sport just because their friends are. They then hate it and want to quit. The same principle applies to camp, except that there might be an even larger investment required and a reduced ability to quit.
Separation anxiety? Don’t send them to an overnight camp. Has never shown an interest in science? That astronomy or robotics camp won’t work out. Never been athletically inclined? Now’s not the time to try basketball camp. Summer might seem like a low-risk way of trying a new activity or hobby, but if it doesn’t work out your child will be miserable and will have wasted a summer.
Take a tour
For some reason, very few people think about taking a tour of prospective summer camps. You wouldn’t think of choosing a school without seeing the facilities and meeting some of the staff. Just because summer camp is one-third the length of school doesn’t mean you don’t make an effort.