Tips for Choosing the Right Summer Camp

Summer Camp will look a bit different this year. Last year, many summer camps were canceled and some ran at limited capacity due to COVID-19. However, a year later, schools and camps are now open and operating with restrictions, social distancing, and other virus-control measures. 

After a summer spent at home last year, you might be looking at sending your child to camp. Your child might be looking forward to interacting and socializing with their peers in a fun summer setting. Please keep in mind every family has different needs and health factors/risks to consider keep those in mind as you decide whether or not to send your child to camp. Here are some tips to help find the right camp for your child. 

COVID-19 Measures 

First and foremost, inquiry about the camp’s COVID-19 procedures – 

What are their cleaning and disinfecting standards? 

How is physical distancing implemented through out the day?

What are the group sizes? Is it the same group and staff each day? 

Drop off and pick up? Is Drop off and pick up curbside? Is it staggered? 

What is the camp’s mask policy? When are mask worn and not worn?

Hand-washing? Is it “encouraged”? Are hand-washing or hand-santizer stations available?

What are the camp’s notification procedures if your child has been exposed to COVID-19 by another child or staff?

These are all important questions to ask to make sure your child has a safe summer.

Due to COVID-19, many camps will have a limited number of spots and will fill up fast. PB Parenting highly recommends signing up for camp early this year.

The CDC is suggesting the following guiding principles for the lowest risk while attending Summer Camps:

• Small groups of campers that stay together all day, each day.

• Campers remain at 6 feet apart and do not share objects. 

• Outdoor activities prioritized. 

What are Your Child’s Interests? Think about what your children enjoy and get really excited about during the school year. Some love sports and being outdoors while some children geek out about minecraft and building robots. There is a camp out there for every interest out there.  Camp themes range from traditional sports and outdoor camps to specialty interest including culinary, robotics, web design, animation, photography and videography.  Remember this is about what they like not you. Figure out what makes your children tick, and look for the type of camp that fits their interests and personalities.

Try Camps With Many Activities

Maybe your child is still learning what interests them. They also may have hit the indecisive tween/teen stage and when you ask they shrug their shoulders and say I don’t know.  Check out a camp that offers a variety of activities, as opposed to a single-activity camp. Choose a camp that offers programming that exposes the children to a wide range of activities so that they can find their interests and foster them. Another idea is to rotate each week and try new interests. One week check out culinary camp, the next week head to dance camp, then a tech camp the following week. Variety during the summer can also prevent boredom and makes each week an adventure.

Budget Friendly Camps

Most camps offer a multi-week discount, sibling discount or discounts for members. Sometimes if you register they will have a early bird discount or waive the registration fee. Contact the camp directly and early and see how you can save. If your family budget doesn’t have a lot of room for camp costs check out camps that are run by community organizations and nonprofits often their weekly rate is less. Don’t forget to determine what’s included in the final price of camp, since most added benefits can bump up your total cost. Does the camp provide lunch? Offer early pick-up and drop-off? Make sure you’re paying for the things that are most important to you and your family.

Do Your Research

Check out PB Parenting’s 10th annual Summer Camp Directory for a comprehensive directory of camps that are in the Palm Beach County area.

Investing in our Children

Think of camp as an investment in their mental health.  Children and teens gain so much by attending summer camp. Due to the pandemic, many of our children’s mental health has suffered. Give children a boost by trying to make summer as normal as possible. 

Finally, have fun with the process. Our childhood summers are precious moments that are meant to be fun and memorable.