One of the perks of summer camp is that it really is like a “vacation” for the whole family.

When kids participate in something they love, they also get to experience more independence. Remember that camp not only provides kids with an opportunity to excel in an activity of their choosing, it also helps them gain confidence on their own by being responsible and making their own decisions.

Once a family decides that their children are ready for camp, they are faced with an incredible number of choices. One way to make this process easier is to decide whether your child will attend a local day camp or an overnight camp. Parents can assess their child’s personality and maturity level to decide which is the better fit.

Budget also plays a role in choosing a camp. Being on a tight budget does not mean that camp is out of the question. There are camps for every budget! Having the child choose a camp that focuses on something they love is another way to narrow down the choices. Parents should ask their children about their likes and dislikes, and remain open-minded to the camp selections that their children make. There are camps designed to address specific health and dietary regimes, as well as special needs.

With the multitude of camps available, kids should have no trouble finding one that is geared towards their favorite activity, whether it be basketball, football, hockey, soccer, golf, dance, theatre, etc. Parents of young adults could also consider a camp that functions as an internship program. Students who are curious about a particular profession, like medicine, can attend a summer internship program that allows them to experience what it would be like to work in their field of choice.

Now that the children have selected camps based on their interests, parents can begin to do their own research. Parents can decide to visit the camp themselves.

Keep in mind that a camp website will not reveal everything. There is no replacement for seeing the camp in action with your own eyes. If this is not possible, parents can begin to network online or within their circle of friends by asking if anyone has recommendations or has heard anything significant about the camp in question. Parents should look for camps that show dedicated and passionate staff, a clean and organized setting, and happy campers!