List the goals and activities you and your child want to gain from summer camp. There is a wide range of camps available, such as athletic camps, religious camps, academic camps, adventure camps and fantasy camps to name a few.
Involve your child, if age appropriate, in choosing the camp.
Determine the needs of your child. All children are different and all have different needs to consider. The camp you choose needs to be age appropriate and should meet the physical, emotional and mental needs of your child.
Decide if your child is ready for a sleep-away experience. There are day camps and overnight (residential) camps to choose from. Some camps may last for 2 or 3 days or continue for several weeks or even all summer for older children.
Verify who sponsors the camp. Camps are run by a variety of organizations. Camps run by municipalities or by agencies tend to be lower-cost. Private camps tend to fill-up early and are usually more expensive but may offer scholarships.
Understand the philosophy of the camp. Does the camp emphasize one activity or offer a wide array of programs? From the organization perspective, what is the purpose of the camp?
Find out the cost of the camp. By planning ahead, many camps offer ways to assist parents with the cost of the camp. Most have fund-raising activities throughout the year to assist in offsetting the cost. There are also many camps available that are free if the child or family meets certain requirements.
