Summer time is at our door, and for children, this means a few months of vacation! However, for parents, this is not always the case. Many still have to work during the sunny days which mean finding a safe and fun place where their kids can spend this time off. The best option is often summer camp. But, between the overwhelming amount and kinds of camps available out there, how do you go about choosing which one your children should attend?

First of all, if you want to make sure that leaving for day camp in the morning is a moment your children ought to anticipate and not dread, you should definitely ask them a few questions before registering them. Try to pinpoint your children’s interests, passions, fears and hopes for the summer, and pick a summer camp that will satisfy most of their criteria. After all, your children will be the ones spending a few weeks there, and as a parent, you should ensure that they will get the most out of it.
Here are some different types of summer camps to consider.

Municipal summer camps

Most municipalities offer summer camp programs tailored to kids of all ages. For a period of approximately eight weeks, the city of Laval offers a variety of summer camps where your children will be introduced to a wide range of fun and stimulating activities to suit everyone’s interests; from sports, arts and crafts, and theatre to dance and music, kids will find something to suit their interests.

Children will get to make new friends in their neighbourhood and experiment with an array of new activities. Most camps also have partnerships with the municipal pool and kids get a chance to go daily or a few times a week, depending on the camp. Instructors are trained and know CPR, rendering it a safe environment for kids of all ages.

Specialized summer camps

Your child is a sports enthusiast and has been playing soccer in a team for a few summers but would like to learn more. Why not send him to a specialized soccer summer camp to develop his skills? Your other child has always wanted to try out cheerleading after school but you had decided that homework prevailed over after-school activities. Summer is the time to sign up for a cheerleading summer camp to experiment with a new discipline.

No matter what your child’s interests are, may it be sports, juggling, learning a new language or discovering nature, there are a variety of specialized summer camps to choose from in Laval. With a little research, you’ll discover that many specialized activity centres, like the Cosmodôme and the Carrefour Multi-Sports for example, offer summer camp programs for all ages at affordable prices. The great thing is, most summer camps work on a pay-per-week basis, so your child can even try out more than one activity throughout the summer and develop several new skills and passions.

Other types of camps

If your child is a little older and is looking for a different experience, summer camps where your child sleeps over and spends a few weeks away from home are also an option. This is a good way for them to develop independence and learn to follow a routine, as they have a specific schedule for meals and activities throughout the day.

Furthermore, if your child has special needs, such as a physical or intellectual disability for instance, there are camps adapted to their needs. Family camps are also available for families who do have a few weeks off work and want to live a new experience with their children.

No matter your children’s wants and needs, there is a camp out there suited for them. Make sure to consult with them prior to registering, since the memories they create there will last them a lifetime… or at least all the way until the next summer!