how to choose a sleep-away camp
So you’ve decided to take the plunge into summer camp for your child. How do you choose? It’s a daunting decision to make. ALAS! My blog is here to help you learn how to choose a sleep-away camp!
How will you make a choice?
Dizzy with all of the options available, I had no clue where to begin my search for the perfect camp for my daughter. The first step I took was to ask for advice on a Facebook momma’s page. Many people wrote back about the places their children went to and loved. One reply, though, caught my eye. It was from a woman named Karen who was a “camp specialist”.
I was a bit wary of contacting Karen. Camp is already expensive and I didn’t want to pay extra for a consultant. Karen assured me that she is paid by the camps if a parent chooses one that she recommended. There is no monetary obligation from the parent PHEW!
So, what is a camp specialist?
A camp specialist is someone who knows all about various camps, yet has no vested interest in any of them.
Karen’s job is to do the legwork so that you don’t have to: she meets with camp directors in the winter and visits camps in the summer. She has been doing this for 15 years, so she has a lot of experience. Karen gathers information about all of the camps, and then advises parents based on their personal criteria. She provides objective and non-judgmental guidance for parents…free of charge!
Too good to be true?
NOPE! I know because I am now one of her satisfied clients.
After I saw her response to my FB post, I called Karen and introduced myself. Karen was very easy to talk with. She led me through a series of questions to help me figure out what I was looking for in a camp. She listened and took careful notes. Shortly after we spoke, Karen emailed me with a list of several camp possibilities to research.
What are some features that differentiate camps?
COST OF THE CAMP
- The average cost of a week at sleep-away camp ranges from $1,250-$2,000 per week.
LOCATION OF THE CAMP
- Will your camper have to be driven? Take the camp bus? Fly?
- How far away is too far? Or too close 😂
SIZE OF THE CAMP
- Would your child thrive at a smaller camp or a larger one?
FOCUS OF THE CAMP
- Does your child do better in a highly structured environment, or would s/he prefer a choice camp (one that provides electives?)
- Are you looking for a general, classic camp that offers a range of daily activities, or do you need something more specialized? Some examples of specialized camps include art / theater camps and sports camps, and for older children (Middle School and High School), there are teen tours, academic programs and community service opportunities to consider.
PHILOSOPHY OF THE CAMP
- Do you want a secular camp or a religious one? If you want a religious camp, how observant should it be?
- Is the camp run in a more rigid or more relaxed manner?
- Do the camp’s ethics and principles mesh with those of your family?
LENGTH OF SESSIONS OFFERED
- Sleep-away camp sessions can run anywhere from 1-8 weeks
MAKE UP OF THE CAMPERS
- What are the ages of the campers? Most camps range from age 7 to age 15 and a typical camper begins in fourth grade.
- Are you looking for co-ed or single gender?
- Do you want a brother/sister camp (two single gender camps that unite for certain events and activities)?
- What area of the country are most of the campers from? Does that matter to you?
MAKEUP OF THE MANAGEMENT
- Is the camp family owned and run, or is it governed by a board that hires a director?
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
- Does your child have severe allergies and require a nut free camp, or is “nut aware” adequate?
- Does your child have asthma and require air conditioning?
- Is your child gluten free?
Karen will definitely help you through complicated process of how to choose a sleep-away camp. “Every family is totally different and I love the challenge of fitting the pieces into the puzzle to find the perfect camp for both the individual child and the whole family,” said Karen. It is obvious that she loves her job. I highly recommend getting in touch with Karen if you are considering sleep-away for your child.
You can get in touch with Karen at karen@campspecialists.com
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