| Each summer, more than 10 million children and | | | | you hope your child will gain ability and experience |
| counselors attend day camps and overnight | | | | in? Most camp counselors are in their late teens |
| summer camps across the country. There are | | | | or early twenties and are high school and college |
| four basic types of camps to choose from for | | | | students on their summer break. Some camps |
| your child: day programs, sleepaway or overnight | | | | are often called adventure camps - having a very |
| summer camp, day programs with trips, and | | | | specific theme or interest; many of these |
| special needs camps. Beyond the traditional sports | | | | programs emphasize skill development and |
| - baseball, softball, basketball, soccer, tennis, | | | | personal growth through the adventures the |
| football, and more - there are camps for outdoor | | | | offer. |
| enthusiasts that can offer horseback riding, hiking, | | | | There are many types of overnight summer |
| camping, fishing, and even rappelling. | | | | camps with a focus on education that cater to |
| Choosing an overnight summer camp for your | | | | students with differing ages and academic |
| child, teen or other children deserves a great deal | | | | interests. Camp tuition can be expensive; similar |
| of consideration and attention to even the | | | | to travel insurance, there are now insurance |
| smallest details. There are popular overnight | | | | policies for families sending their children to |
| summer camps in every state in the U.S. and | | | | overnight summer camp to cover last minute |
| every province in Canada; there are camps in the | | | | cancellations, homesickness, medical emergencies |
| United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and just | | | | and emergency evacuations. Weight loss camps |
| about every country in the world. Special needs | | | | are for children and teens in order to help them |
| camps meet the needs of a wide range of | | | | learn about how to lose weight and how to keep |
| children with disabilities; these camps provide an | | | | it off while having a great overnight summer |
| outdoor summer camp experience along with a | | | | camp experience. |
| therapeutic environment. | | | | Camps should have at least a 40% to 60% |
| There are camps with activities as traditional as | | | | return staff ratio, which shows that the camp is |
| model rocketry and riflery, to those nontraditional | | | | seen as a good place to spend a summer. |
| as aviation, computers, language studies, golf, | | | | Non-profit camps often range from $1200 to |
| martial arts or community service. Camps are | | | | $3000 for four weeks and $2500 to $5000 for |
| divided by gender - girls only, boys only, or co-ed | | | | eight weeks. Visit the camp; you can view |
| and again by age group. Camps often focus on | | | | campers and counselors in their element, witness |
| specialties that include: adventure, art, computer, | | | | activities as they occur, and just obtain an overall |
| dance, music, religion, horse riding, sports, theatre, | | | | feel of the camp, something that cannot be |
| and many others. | | | | accurately experienced when the camp is closed. |
| The reputation of an overnight summer camp can | | | | Overnight summer camp is often the first time |
| also be determined by asking what percentage of | | | | that most children spend a long period of time |
| counselors returned from the previous year. The | | | | away from home. Choosing a camp close to |
| best overnight summer sports camps do much | | | | home will save a lot of money on airfare and |
| more than just improve a camper's soccer, | | | | possible hotel or motel overnight stays for a |
| tennis, lacrosse, or wrestling skills - they help each | | | | parent, or other transportation costs; this is |
| child become a more skillful athlete, a more | | | | especially true if your child might get a case of |
| gracious competitor, a more committed team | | | | homesickness and want to come home early |
| player, and a more confident person. Children will | | | | from the overnight summer camp. Look over and |
| get more individual attention and supervision with | | | | evaluate the brochures and promotional materials; |
| a lower number of campers per counselor. | | | | read the fine print. Care packages sent with |
| Is there a special topic (e.g. religion, sports, | | | | children or teens, by their families, can help any |
| educational, performing arts, arts and crafts) that | | | | homesickness subside. |