Camp Ready

A: The best way is to talk to the director. Ask about their philosophies, about how they handle upset kids, unruly kids, or disagreeable kids. What’s their approach to learning, and to discipline? A good camp should provide children with a safe, supervised and positive environment. In addition to speaking with the camp director, get—and call!—references.

 

A: One word: Boredom. Seriously. If we had a dollar for every time our kids uttered, “I’m bored” last summer, we’d have been rich by Father’s Day. But even if manage to keep your kids engaged and entertained throughout the summer, there are still some terrific benefits to camp.

 

With support from the Lilly Endowment, Inc., the ACA  conducted a comprehensive study of camper outcomes. Among the 5,000 campers surveyed, 96 percent said camp helped them make new friends; 93 percent reported they got to know people who are different from them; and 92 percent said camp helped them feel better about themselves. A majority of parents reported that their child gained self-confidence at camp; their child continues to participate in some of the new activities he or she learned at camp; and their child remains in contact with friends made at camp.

 

A: The ACA states that for a child with special requirements, parents should ask the camp director about needed provisions and facilities. Ask about nursing staff, how medication is stored and administered, and any special dietary accommodations—what ever is applicable to your situation. The ACA also advises that you be very open and forthcoming when discussing your daughter’s special needs, and the possible limitations of the camp.
 
Q: My son is four. Isn’t that too young for camp?

A: Not if it’s a good camp with experience in catering to young children. In a Camp Magazine article (published by the ACA), Ethan Schafer, Ph.D., addresses the benefits of camp for the preschool and kindergarten set.

 

“Good camps will have many structured, productive activities such as crafts and field trips that also help children get used to following a schedule,” he writes. “There is also no substitute for constant interaction with other children under adult supervision when it comes to developing social skills necessary for a successful entry into school.” When looking at camps for your four year old, be sure to ask about the child-to-staff ratio, daily schedule, and discipline policies.

A:  Specialty camps can be great for children with a serious interest in one particular area. Typically they’re more suited for older children, who will focus on a specific skill or set of skills (like baseball, or art, or music). It’s important to realize that kids who go to specialty camps are there to work on a particular skill, rather than to have an overall, camp experience that is more focused on community, friendships, exploration, and a wide range of fun and educational experiences.

 

Compiled by the nola family staff.