Countdown to Summer Camp

Happy March! As we inch towards Spring, parents are beginning to think about summer plans and for kids, that may mean camp (whether day camp or sleep away). There are so many options, and the whole process may seem daunting, but have no fear! 

Below are 5 simple steps you can take to organize and simplify your summer camp process. 

Step 1. Discover Your Child’s Excitement for Camp! Before making any assumptions, take a moment to chat with your child about the idea of attending camp. It’s a chance to explore their interests and desires for the summer. Perhaps they’re eager for new adventures, to make friends, or to dive into exciting activities! Whatever it may be, let’s embark on this journey together and discover what camp holds in store for them! 

Step 2. Choose a Summer Camp Type

Sleepaway vs. Day Camp: Sleepaway camp ranges from 1-8 weeks and offers a variety of supervised activities. Day camp is appropriate for kids who aren’t old enough, interested in or prepared for sleepaway camp. 

Specialty vs. Standard/Traditional Camp: Specialty camps focus on a particular area of concentration activity, such as sports or the arts. Traditional camps provide a more well-rounded experience, typically including a mixture of arts and crafts, sports, and outdoor events. These may include day trips to local attractions like museums or water parks.

Special Needs Camps: Many special needs camps cater to kids with varying abilities and include a full array of activities. 

More to Consider: What are your child’s needs, interests, and personality. What is the camp’s philosophy and daily lineup of activities?  Does your child thrive on a tight schedule? Look for a structured environment, rather than a looser setting. Are they looking for exposure to many new skills and activities as you’d find in a traditional camp setting, or would they prefer to hone in on one of their specific abilities, like aviation, art, technology, dance, or football? If possible, visit the camp with your child. More often than not, you can get a real feel for the place in a few minutes and you can see if you think your child will feel comfortable in the environment. 

Below are some questions to ask the camp staff whether in person or on the phone to help you decide: down:

•  What’s your educational and career background?
•  Is the camp accredited? If so, by whom?
•  What’s the camp’s guiding philosophy, registration process and cancellation policy?
•  What’s the rate of camper and counselor return each year?
•  What’s the counselor training program like?
•  What’s the ratio of counselor to camper?
•  What are your security, safety and medical arrangements?
•  Can I speak to parents whose kids have attended the camp?
  

And one insider tip: If you do opt for sleepaway camp, consider having a friend of your child attend the same camp, if possible, especially if this is their first camp foray. Attend an orientation or preview event in your local area to learn more about the camp and meet other camp families who live in your town. 

Step 3: Make a Decision

Give yourself (and your child) a deadline to decide what camp s/he will be attending. Sometimes, indecision and dragging things out only add to the stress and anxiety and the sooner you know the plan, the sooner you can work on getting your child excited for the summer!

Step 4: Talk to Your Child About What to Expect at Camp

There’s comfort in knowing what to expect. Discuss the typical daily schedule, who may be there, what clothing s/he will be wearing, what will be packed, any yummy lunches or snacks that will be involved, etc.

Step 5: Prep for Camp

This may include a shopping list of clothing, supplies or a packing list for sleepaway camps. You will want to label everything so plan ahead by ordering name labels online form a great company like    or maybe you just do it yourself with a fabric safe pen. Book your child’s doctor appointment NOW, most camps require a camp physical form to be filled out by your child’s doctor. 

Hopefully these simple steps will help make the summer camp decision process less complicated and get everyone in your family excited for summer! Remember: I am here if you need helping organizing and packing your child’s camp duffel! 

Amyzing Spaces provides professional organization for your home & office! Amy Bergman is a professional organizer serving Palm Beach County who has always had a passion for organizing & simplifying things in life. She would love to help you make your space Amyzing!!! Check out her website at www.amyzingspaces.com, and you will see how she works with her clients to organize spaces in their homes & offices, creating systems that work for them so they can achieve more calm in their space and be even more productive & efficient with their time.