Although it feels like Christmas was just last week, before you know it, it will be summertime! That means kids will be out of school and ready for those fun summer activities you have planned. (Hint hint)
One of the best ways to give your kids a fun summer experience is by enrolling them in fun but educational summer camps. These tend to fill up fast, so it’s best to start enrolling your child sooner rather than later! Here are some tips of what to look for in a summer camp.
Ensure Safety and Staff Requirements
You don’t want to drop your child off with adults who aren’t trustworthy or at a camp that doesn’t emphasize safety. Check out their website, policies, and independent reviews, and ask around on social media sites about the reputation of the camp. You can even contact the camp through email or phone call to learn more about the training the staff receive.
Some areas to research include:
- Staff background checks
- Child safety protocol, including policy on abuse
- How to get in touch with your child, and how your child can contact you
- CPR/AED certifications
One way to ensure the safety of a summer camp is by checking their accreditation with the American Camp Association. If a camp receives this accreditation, you can trust that the camp has met all safety standards.
Look for a STEM Camp
Summer camps should be fun, but children thrive with educational elements mixed in with their sunscreen and campfire time.
STEM stands for science, technology, engineering, and math. STEM camps can help grow your child’s brain and passion for education by incorporating interesting and educational activities. After all, the extra time in summer gives children the opportunity to make big, messy projects and experiment to their heart’s content.
Identify Your Child’s Interests
What does your child enjoy? What are their natural talents? In what academic, athletic, or artistic areas can they grow?
Zeroing in on your child’s interests is an easy way to identify a camp they’ll be talking about for the rest of the year! You can’t go wrong with a camp all about the big thing in your child’s life.
Diversify Your Child’s Interests and Peer Groups
While fun is a top priority for a summer camp, there’s nothing wrong with pushing your child’s comfort boundaries just a little. Perhaps they are brainiacs and don’t do a lot of sports; you might want to enroll your child in a camp that has regular physical exercise time or games. Or, if your child is super athletic, opt for a camp that includes STEM or volunteer work as well as physical activity. Your child is more likely to enjoy learning something new amid the excitement of being away at camp.
Additionally, you can expand your child’s world by enrolling them in a camp with children from other cultures and backgrounds. This will increase their worldview, empathy, and care for all kinds of families.
Budget-Friendly
You don’t have to spend a fortune on a summer camp! There are plenty of excellent summer camp options that don’t break the bank. These might be at your local YMCA, community center, or school program. Generally, day camps that only last for a few hours are cheaper than overnight camps.
Some other ways to save money on kids’ summer camps are:
- Early bird registration: Often, the cheapest price for a summer camp happens months before the event. Do your research early so you can sign up before the price increases.
- Sibling discount: Many camps offer discounts for each subsequent child you register.
- Scholarships: Some camps offer or receive scholarships based upon a child’s academic achievement, passion for learning, or other outstanding qualities.
- CRISTA discount: Some camps accept military discounts for children of military members.
- VBS: Many local churches run Vacation Bible School camps that range from a few days to a whole week long. These are a fraction of the cost of other camps but include many of the games, crafts, and outdoor time that summer camps offer.
Don’t Delay
Now that you know the top tips for finding a quality summer camp, don’t delay! Get researching right away so your child can have an excellent summer camp experience and you can save a little money, too.