Finding the Best Summer Camp
Ever thought of the kids going one way for vacation and you going the other? I’m not saying you want to get rid of them, but Mom and Dad deserve some free time. It’s also a pretty safe bet that your kids may need a break from you as well.
The solution may be an adventure summer camp. The purpose of any adventure summer camp is to send children to a place where they will not only have a great time but will learn and grow as a person. Adventure summer camp programs should offer a wide range of exploratory activities to choose from. If the summer camp is a specialty camp, then their programs must focus on those specialty areas. For example, baseball camp should include things like batting, catching, defense, running bases, etc. Even though these summer camps are specialty focused the kids should have a good and challenging time.
What Else to Look for
Some of the camps will target certain age groups but share some basic formats. Outdoor activities, day trips, and evening entertainment are pretty standard and will likely be fun for most kids. On the other hand, teen’s summer camps focus on things that are important to teens like growing up and learning about real life and gaining a sense of independence. I remember being a Camp Fire girl and longing to go away to camp to roast marshmallows over an open flame. Sadly, it never happened.
A Rose by Any Other Name
Programs are essentially free to call themselves whatever they want, which can be a tad confusing for parents. Be on the lookout for programs without clear features. These are often use phrases or descriptions like outdoor behavior programs, boot camps, wilderness camps, wilderness programs or ‘wilderness boot camps. Behavior Outdoor Intervention curricula have become increasingly popular for the past few years. So don’t go with these catchy words, know in detail what they actually offer before you make any payment and ship your child off.
Parents searching for an “unrealistic quick fix” to their youngsters behaviors, particularly over the summer months, generally prefer and hunt for programs that address these concerns. Please make sure you know what you and your child are getting into if this is your choice. And do you really want to roll discipline and your child’s vacation into an all in one package? Whether you go for boot camps, sports excellence or wilderness camps, make sure that the summer camp activities are clearly displayed and you understand them properly to choose the best one form the options. Most importantly, make sure the ration of counselors to kids is adequate and ask for credentials. This sounds corny as all get out, but our children are our future and you want them cared for properly.
Most YMCA’s have camps and they’re reputable. Also check out
http://www.kidscamps.com
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