Preparing Your Child For Summer Camp

Its that time of year again! Its time to find activities for your school age children that will keep them busy until school opens in the fall. That's not an easy task. Some parents choose to send their children to summer camp. Many variables must be included in your selection of the the best camp program for your son or daughter. Before signing up your child, ask yourself, do I truly know this child and his/her temperament? What interests the child and what scares the hairs off his/her head? Is the child old enough to go to an overnight camp or would a day camp be just right for the child's personality? What about the child's maturity level? What will be a fun  learning experience as well?

If the child shows uneasiness about being away from home over night or is less than 10 years old, maybe a day camp would be the best deal for now. Day camps allow the child to experience a degree of freedom and independence with the assurance it will return home in a few hours. Many day camps offer the same programs as over night camps. The difference is the child's sleeping arrangements . The child will return home in a few hours.

Asking truthful and critical questions about the child's readiness for camp options helps parents decide on the best arrangements that will benefit the child and the parent. If not, expect to take a day trip to the camping site. Your child will be eagerly awaiting your arrival. Your plans for the summer will be altered to include your child whose been traumatized beyond recognition.

Some children will do well in camp settings that are geared towards academics and intellectual stimulation. The children that fall into this category show signs of readiness for the camp through a number of personality traits. The children in this group prefers playing a games that challenge their mental reasoning skills, their ability to see the whole picture and dissect the problem. There are a number of camps that encourage this type activity. Some of the camps include chess camps, space camps, and camps for future doctors and mathematicians. Some children naturally enjoy hours of reading books opposed to being outside hiking to the top of a mountain summit. Often a child with intellectual preference prefer challenges they can solve opposed to relaxing in front of a television show. On the other hand, there are parents who wish to enroll their child in academic camps to strengthen the child in weak areas of their studies. The child gains a jump start ahead of peers.

While academic camps are great, there are camps which stress outdoor activities that focus on nature and social activities as well as peer group interactions. Many times these type camps have programs that are geared for endurance programs such as swimming, hiking, archery, golfing, and a number of activities that teach the child to live with his/her peers in a group setting. Attending an Olympic camp prepares athletic children for competing in world class competitions. These children are as comfortable pushing their physical strength to the limit as the intellectuals enjoy challenging their mental capabilities. Children with special needs receive all of the camping options listed above but the activities are adjusted to the capabilities of the special needs child.

Regardless of the type camp the child is scheduled to attend, there are a few basic tasks that must be performed. That includes ensuring that the things your child took to camp comes back to your home. I know, that's pretty much asking to win the lottery but its worth giving it a try.Labelingthe personal items helps with the effort. Where possible use a water proof marker and enter the child's name or a recognizable code on personal items. Placing the markings in a visible spot makes it easier for the child and others to recognize what belongs to who. Another way to prepare for camp is allow the child to be at camp 100%. That means not calling everyday to see how the child is doing. By calling your child, you are reminding the child that he/she is not at home and the child should miss parents and siblings. This places a subliminal message of guilt in his/her head if the child are having a great time. So limit your calls or do not call at all. Trust the camp workers to take care of your child. You will be able to trust the camp workers if you do the research needed to learn all you need to know about the camp organization you select for the child. Thoroughly investigate the camp and include any criminal background information on them. Your investigation assures you that known pedophiles and other deviant personalities are not working on staff. With that done, you will know the selection you made for your child was the best you could have made.

Thoroughly investigate the camp and include any criminal background information on the organization and staff. A sample checklist for camp safety includes their accreditation. Are they American Camp Association (ACA) accredited? What is their protocol regarding the child and emergency procedures? Are all staff trained to handle emergencies? Emergencies could include an accident, the child's reaction to certain foods, illnesses, or any unforeseen event. Do the staff have appropriate safety training? Does the camp provide services or supervision for campers that take medications on a daily basis?  Does the camp have a health and safety program? Does the camp have a working contract with physician and medical facility?

Has a criminal investigation be done on all adults at the camp site? How is the camp screening for pedophiles? Do you have access to references that you may independently contact? What is the ratio of children to counselors and are the counselors at least 18 years or older? How are the lodging facilities secured for the children? The safety of the camp utilized is as good as the information you receive and trust. If your instincts tell you enough investigation has been done then make a decision to use or not use the organization for your child's camp adventure.

After making a thorough investigation of the camp, you will know the camp selection you made for your child was the best you could have made. After you've done all your homework regarding the camp and made your selection, allow the child to become excited about going to camp. Include the child in general preparation for the summer event . The child will buy into the idea if he/she feels it is a good idea from your point of view. You will appreciate the end of summer when you recognize how independent your child has become.