| Selecting the right camp that fits into your | | | | Try to determine whether the director |
| child or teen's interests, special interests, | | | | incorporates a similar philosophy to running |
| special needs and abilities will be of the | | | | the camp as you do in parenting your child or |
| utmost importance. Choosing an overnight | | | | teen. Is there a special topic (e.g. |
| summer camp for your child, teen or other | | | | religion, soccer, other sports, educational, |
| children deserves a great deal of | | | | performing arts, arts and crafts) that you |
| consideration and attention to even the | | | | hope your child will gain ability and |
| smallest of details. Many kid campers are | | | | experience in? Four weeks at a private |
| enrolled in summer camp by their parents | | | | overnight summer camp or sleepaway camp can |
| early in the year, thus camps tend to fill up | | | | cost anywhere from $3500 to $6500, and eight |
| quickly, but there will always be some camps | | | | weeks can from $4000 to $7000. |
| that have room for one more.. | | | | |
| | | | Visit the camp so you can view campers and |
| Overnight summer camp is also known as a | | | | counselors in their element, witness |
| sleepaway camp when campers spend their | | | | activities as they occur, and just obtain an |
| nights at the camp. Some camps allow both | | | | overall feel for the camp, something that |
| daytime and overnight campers. The camp you | | | | cannot be accurately experienced when the |
| do choose for your child will provide a | | | | camp is closed. And at camp would it benefit |
| lifetime of good memories and will be truly | | | | your child more if he or she interacted more |
| rewarding. Some camps have a targeted focus | | | | with the opposite gender |
| like religious study, academics, or | | | | |
| competitive sports. | | | | Specialty overnight camps can range from $500 |
| | | | to $1000 per week depending on the type of |
| Camps are usually divided by gender, meaning | | | | program. There are many types of overnight |
| girls only, boys only, or boys and girls and | | | | summer camps with a focus on education that |
| again by age group. Camps often focus on | | | | cater to students of differing ages and |
| specialties that include: adventure, art, | | | | academic interests. Camps should have at |
| computer, dance, music, religion, horse | | | | least a 40% to 60% return staff ratio, which |
| riding, sports, soccer, theatre, weight loss | | | | shows that the camp is seen as a good place |
| and many others. There are four basic types | | | | for a child to spend a summer. And do you |
| of camps to choose from for your child or | | | | think, if you have more than one child, they |
| teen: day programs, sleepaway or overnight | | | | would benefit from attending the same summer |
| summer camp, day programs with trips, and | | | | camp together? |
| special needs camps. The reputation of an | | | | |
| overnight summer camp can be determined by | | | | Think about what you and your child hope tol |
| asking what percentage of the counselors | | | | get from going to camp. Remember summer is a |
| returned from the previous year. | | | | key time to visit overnight summer camps or |
| | | | sleepaway camps because you can ascertain |
| Children or teens could typically explore | | | | whether they'll be the right fit for your |
| subjects that are new to them like marine | | | | child, children or family while the camp is |
| science, photography, creative writing, | | | | in full operation. The camp experience will |
| community service, drama, magic, scuba | | | | have a long-lasting impression on a child or |
| diving, video production, comic book design, | | | | teen, so there are a number of issues that |
| crime scene forensics, cooking, yoga, | | | | should be seriously considered when choosing |
| rappelling, etc. Make sure to check the | | | | an overnight summer camp or sleepaway camp. |
| camper-counselor ratio to determine the | | | | And take time to consider what you can |
| number of campers for each counselor. | | | | reasonably afford. |
| | | | |