With so many camp choices available, how do you decide? Here are ways to narrow down options and select a camp that works for your child.
\n \nOf course, the first consideration is what is going to work for your family.
\nGet clear on your budget and your needs, such as driving, individual needs, and time together. I encourage you to decide what is going to work for your family before you start talking about camps with your child. If day camp is not an option and you know you need your child to be at overnight camp, do not mention the possibility of anything other than overnight camp for the length of time you need. It is harder to talk a child out of something once they hatch a plan.
\nDay camps often cost less, and allow for time together as a family during evenings and weekends. They are a great form of childcare and provide opportunities to meet new kids and expand one’s camping experience.
\nOvernight camps come with a higher cost. No daily driving is required, and they provide a way for family members to get a break from one another. These camps provide social and skill development, and often screen-free time.
\nWhen you know what fits your family, you can start to consider what feels right for your child. If you have multiple kids, what works for one may not be the perfect fit for the other. Here are things to consider:
\n1. Is your child asking for this camp opportunity?
\nIf so, this is an easy decision. Perhaps their friend is going, or it’s a camp that focuses on a hobby or activity that they love.
\nIf they aren’t asking for it and this is something you are introducing, give them time to warm up to the idea. New things can feel daunting. It is normal for kids to immediately dig in their heels. Anticipate this and be open to returning to the discussion a few days later:
\n“Sounds like it feels a bit new and uncomfortable right now. Let’s sit with the idea for a few days and we’ll talk more about it then.”
\n2. Has your child had these experiences before? What is a level of growth that feels right?
\nMaybe day camps are old news for your child and they are hoping for something different. This could be the perfect time to consider overnight camp. Different camps run for different lengths of time. To involve your kids, give them an understanding of budget and calendar limitations, so they can consider the options available to see what feels right.
\n3. Do they want to be fully immersed in the process or just dip a toe?
\nIf camp is a new thing, sometimes it’s easier to start small and try a day camp. Maybe half-day camp for a week is a comfy way to wade in. Of course, this is going to mean that they’ll need a way to get there and back, so a full-day camp may make more sense (remember, don’t offer something you are not willing to do).
\nIf they’re ready to dive into something more, or if you need them to, consider their interests. If they love to sing, maybe choir camp is the way to go – there may not be much outdoor adventure, but they will get to make music with a bunch of kids just like them. If the outdoors is their jam, find something with experiences in nature.
\n4. Consider their social comfort and novelty-tolerance level.
\nJust because in childhood you loved one month of overnight camp does not mean that your child will. Raising an introvert who doesn’t thrive on meeting new people? Day camp may be a better place to start. Noticing resistance? Meeting them part way and letting them discover that they can thrive in new situations may be a wonderful way to start your child’s camping experience. There’s always next year to push the boundaries a bit more.
\n5. Give some autonomy in the decision-making process.
\nMost humans thrive when they have some level of control. Where can you offer a choice? Can they choose between two camps? Can they have a say about the duration of stay? Let older kids who are excited about camp know your budget and calendar, and invite them to research camps that fit the parameters.
\n6. One more thing
\nDecide as a parent how you’ll handle a change of heart on the actual day. Will you let them skip? What if they want to come home early? Know your plan and communicate it to your child before you commit to enrolling. Whether day camp or overnight camp, help the family enter the process eyes wide open so that everyone is clear on expectations from the start. Have a great summer!
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Author, blogger, podcast host, and parenting expert, Julie Freedman Smith has been supporting parents across North America for 20 years. Julie helps parents find relief from their everyday parenting challenges. Want to know how she can help you? Visit parentmentornow.com.
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