Spring into Summer
Guidance on selecting the right summer camp.
by Renee Flax

TWEENS & TEENS News March 2008

Although spring is on the horizon and there are a few months before the end of the school year, now is the time to finalize your summer plans.

Rather than feel pressured by making a last-minute decision, you should be able to secure a spot soon in a leading program of your choice that runs this summer. Also, as camp directors are not yet busy running their summer programs, they should have the time to meet with you and get to know your family. This helps confirm that the camp you choose is a good fit— and puts your mind at ease before the first day of camp kicks off.
For families selecting a camp for the first time, it likely feels like an overwhelming task because there are so many choices. However, if you educate yourself as to what is available, you can narrow down your choices and simplify the process. The best place to start is by asking yourself some pertinent questions.

•Am I ready to be away from home? Can I take care of my basic needs? Do I feel comfortable sleeping at friends’ houses or in the home of close relatives?

•Where do I want the camp to be located? Narrowing down where the camp should be geographically lets you concentrate on what is available in those areas.

•About how much is my family looking to spend? Not-for-profit camps, such as YMCA programs, Boy/Girl Scout groups and religious-based camps are less expensive options because an organization assists in underwriting the costs. Speak with your parents about family finances to inform your decision.

•About how long do I want to be away from home? Camp and travel programs generally run anywhere from one to nine weeks.

•What do I enjoy doing? Am I looking for a general camp where I can participate in various activities or would I prefer focusing on a specific interest?

•Do I want an elective camp where I make my own choices, or a more structured camp where a bunk of kids travels from activity to activity together?

•Should the camp be coed, single sex or brother/sister?

•About how many campers do I want there to be? What is the ideal camper-to-counselor ratio?

•How do I know if the camp is a good camp? Make sure the camp is accredited by the American Camp Association. This is a family’s best assurance that the camp of choice meets industry-accepted and government-recognized standards.

Certain Web sites introduce users to the various summer programs. The Web site of the American Camp Association of New York, The CampWizard, allows viewers like you to input your own parameters to find camps that suit your needs and interests. Go to www.campwizard.org and register to begin your search.

If your family has not done so already, request information from camps that appeal to you. Each camp can typically send you a DVD, brochures and camp newsletters. Such information gives good insight into what the camp offers.

Hopefully you have now started to think about what is best for you in terms of a summer experience. The different camps you’re considering probably fall into one of the categories below.

•Traditional: These are programs that run a full gamut of activities including sports, swimming, drama and arts and crafts. They may be coed, single sex or brother/sister, meaning a camp that has separate facilities for boys and girls. There is usually some elective choice, especially as campers get older, but most of the program is structured. This category could include private camps along with agency-based programs. Most camps fit into this category.

•Weight Loss: These camps are dedicated to working with campers who have weight issues. Nutrition, healthy eating, exercise and sports programs are stressed at these camps. Often, campers are sent home with a dietary guide, enabling them to continue to make progress even after camp ends.

•Academic: These are programs designed to teach specific categories, such as computers, foreign languages, business concepts, skills in different classroom subjects and SAT preparation. Often these camps take place at schools and college campuses, and kids stay in dorms, not cabins.

•Equestrian: This would be a horseback riding program. You do not need to bring your own horse to camp, but in some cases you can arrange to do so if you prefer. This type of program could be English or Western riding, and depending on the camper’s ability could involve competitions, jumping, trails, dressage and stable management.

•Sports: This category refers to a camp that concentrates on a specific sport. Tennis, golf, gymnastics, baseball, basketball and soccer are probably the most popular sports camps. These tend to be shorter session camps that focus on skill building. For a certain number of hours each day, sports camps emphasize the featured sport. Though it is a wonderful opportunity to hone your athletic skills with excellent instruction, make sure you truly love the main sport featured at camp. If it is a sport you play once a week for an hour or two, realize that this type of camp presents a very different experience.

•Visual and Performing Arts: These are elective camps that offer a wide array of drama-related choices. Such a camp provides the ideal environment for the kid who enjoys drama, music, fine arts, dance, photography, videography or another visual or performing art. It’s for the creative tween or teen who might also love to perform. Campers have the chance to try out for a show, as well as learn about stage direction, script writing, lighting, set design and costume making. You do not need to be Broadway-bound to participate in these programs!

•Travel: These programs are generally for teenagers. Travel programs can take place in the United States or abroad. Some of these programs are based on community service, leadership development, language learning or wilderness adventures. In regard to the accommodations, some of these tours are hotel based while others are camping-type trips where participants sleep in tents.

•Special Needs: This category covers a vast variety of programs. There are camps for kids with physical handicaps, mobility limitations, autism, diabetes, asthma, attention deficit disorder, learning disabilities, neurological impairments and other special needs issues. Do not think that because you have a specific need that you cannot go to camp.

•Religious Affiliated: This represents a camp that is affiliated with a specific religious group to further kids’ religious beliefs in a fun-filled setting. Prayer is often led on a daily or weekly basis.

Renee Flax is the director of Program Services at the American Camp Association (ACA), New York. If you would prefer to get personal assistance in choosing an accredited camp, you may call Flax. This is a free service to the public, and ACA is a nonprofit organization. Reach Flax at (800)777-CAMP or e-mail her at renee@aca-ny.org.