Why Send Your Child to Camp?

Summer camp gives kids a world of good. The opportunities that summer camp provides are endless: the ability to try new things, the chance to make new friends, and the prospect of gaining independence are just a few.

Which kind of camp would best suit the needs and interests of your child?

Selecting the Right Summer Experience

Positive camp experiences begin with the right match between a child’s needs and interests and a camp’s philosophy, program and other offerings. No two children are the same; and no two camps are exactly alike either?even ones with similar activities, approach and appearance.

Start your camp search the summer before your child will attend camp! First Which type of camp:

• Day Camps typically serve children ages 3-15.  Session lengths typically vary from one to eight weeks. Some camps offer up to ten weeks of programming. Before camp and after camp programs are offered for an additional fee at some day camps.
• Overnight (also referred to as Resident or Sleepaway) Camps usually serve children ages 6-17.  Campers sleep at camp for one to eight weeks, depending on the camp’s session length.
• General Camps offer a broad range of activities. Many provide campers with the opportunity to focus on one or a few areas while encouraging them to try a variety of others. It is sometimes possible to explore an activity or interest in depth within the context of the whole program.
• Trip & Travel Camps involve outdoor exploration through active sports like biking, hiking, climbing and canoeing.  Campers spend most of their time traveling and preparing to travel.
• Specialty Camps are based in day or resident settings. Popular options for specialization may include horseback riding, the arts, sports, computers, or travel. Programming revolves around intensive exposure to the specialty area.
• Camps for Special Populations serve specific clientele like children or adults with particular medical conditions, disabilities, or special needs. Some camps focus on campers who share very specific diagnoses, while others are geared to meet a broader array of needs at any one time.
• Religiously-Affiliated Camps offer religious education formally and informally. Review materials carefully for explanations of how religion influences a camp’s culture to find one with the balance that best matches your family’s own values and beliefs.
• Family Camp Sessions include family members of all ages from grandparents to infants. Accommodations vary, as do program options and session length. The focus is on being together as a family—to learn, to relax, and to enjoy new experiences and adventures.