From outdoor adventures to creative enrichment and social growth, summer camps provide young people with opportunities to learn, explore interests, and grow into newfound independence, all in a supervised setting during summer recess.
Fortunately, resources exist today that make it easier for parents to essentially comparison shop the different summer camps available out there and find the best fit for their child or teen—based on their interests, location, and/or age group. But no matter what, for families to make an informed choice, they need to first understand what’s being offered out there.
What Are Summer Camps and How Do They Work?
A summer camp, for those who don’t know, is a program (i.e., a camp) put on for a select period of time when children or teenagers are out of school—and in need of something else to do. These camps consist of a bevy of activities, which can range from one day to overnight (up to 8 weeks). The majority of camps, regardless of type, have participants going from activity to activity (all taking place within a designated timeframe).
In other words, the time spent at camp is the fun kind that’s punctuated with schedule and structure, but not too much, mind you!
What Different Types of Summer Camps Are Available?
That all depends. Some summer camps provide participants with the opportunity to get fresh air (through swimming, hiking, or team sports, for example), and others cater to their academic, artistic, tech, or leadership inclinations. Some camps exist to offer specialised support to those interested in learning about science, music, acting, coding, or another foreign language.
What type of summer camp will be best for individual participants typically depends on their personalities, interests, and comfort level in foreign or less familiar surroundings.
Who Can Benefit Most From Summer Camps?
Pretty much anyone. Summer camps can cater to children and teenagers across all ages and can go far in helping camp-goers develop some or all of the following: social skills, confidence, independence, teamwork, and problem-solving, which unfolds in an ambience that’s new (and alien a lot of the time).
For many, camps also serve as a great and productive way to spend that ferociously long block of time when school’s out.
How Do Parents Choose the Best Camp?
Of course, parents must consider the location, duration, cost, and staffing there too. But they must also look at the daily schedule and consider whether what’s being offered is too much (or not enough!) for their budding camper/scholar/athlete. They must read up on what’s being offered and really decide if the activity, application, etc., is the best fit for the child planning on going, and of course, check out reviews or ask to speak with families (if you can find them) from earlier enrolment periods. Don’t forget to also consider the chosen camp’s parent communication policy.
What Should the Camper Expect?
Most camp programs will mix structured, free, and social time. Even though it may take a day or two to get adjusted to the new routine, many campers report having experiences at camp that help them to learn about themselves while building new and lasting friendships.
Camp programs often provide participants with the opportunity to be part of a group in which they feel included, and in which they are supported and connected. Check out my article “finding the best camp for your child” for more inspiration.
