Ten tips to pick a perfect camp,
It may not seem like it with the rainy winter drenching the Bay Area, but summer is hurtling toward us. For parents, this realization can strike fear as they contemplate what the kids will do for three long months.
Many will turn to the hundreds of summer camp and enrichment programs in the Bay Area. With so many choices, the hard part can be simply picking one. (See story on page 6.)
However, with the help of local camp directors as well as the American Camp Association, here are 10 things a parent should keep in mind while planning their child’s best summer ever.
Camps are a learning experience:
According to the National Summer Learning Association, most children experience some degree of learning loss in the summer months. Research has shown that participation in summer camps has a positive effect on kids while helping to stem learning loss.
They also offer the opportunity for campers to meet new friends, often from different backgrounds, who will expand their knowledge of the world. Then, of course, there are the skills kids pick-up, not only in the focus of camp — such as better soccer or singing abilities — but in such things as cooperation and problem solving.
Find a topic that interests your child:
Laura Sherr of Camp SeaQuest at the Marine Mammal Center puts this at the top of her list as far as what parents should keep in mind when it comes to choosing a summer activity. Do your kids want to enhance their sports abilities, or do they want a more traditional experience? Do they want to spend their summer coding computer programs or in the lake, bay or pool swimming? Do they like animals, or would they be more comfortable performing in a play?
“Parents should not force children into an activity they don’t want,” says Stacey Hoffman of Jam Camp West, a sleep-away music camp.
Make sure the staff is welltrained:
When looking at camps, make sure the staff will offer a strong level of support for your child. This is a vital area, as camp counselors will be the first and most important person kids interact with at camp. Make sure they have proper training, ideally CPR skills and lifesaving training, especially if the camp is near water.
Travis Lund of the Treasure Island Sailing Center says all his counselors are well-trained, and there is a staff ratio of 6-to-1 for younger kids and 8-to-1 or 10to-1 for older sailors.
MaryBeth Cavanaugh of the Berkeley Rep School of Theatre agrees.
“Make sure it is fully staffed,” she said.
Know the activities your child is doing at camp:
Not only will this alleviate your fears as a parent, but it allows you to ask questions, like “How was your trip to the zoo today?” Discussing camp activities can open up important parent-child communication.
Sherr also emphasizes that there should be a good mix of activities at camp. According to the ACA, this is especially important for younger campers because they have shorter attention spans.
Check on before- and after-care:
For working parents, this is essential since rarely do camp hours coincide with a parent’s work schedule. Most camps offer additional care programs parents can add on to the day.
Get a breakdown of costs:
Sherr says it is important to determine if a camp’s price is all-inclusive or if there are extra charges for equipment, meals, excursions and even sunscreen.
If a camp is too expensive for your family, be sure to ask if there is a scholarship program and how to apply. Another option is to check out local city-run programs, as they tend to be more costfriendly.
Consider visiting:
Both Sherr and the ACA encourage parents to visit camps and check on their child’s activities and progress. Again, this gives the family a great way to bond if a parent can be involved in a child’s day-to-day activities.
Start looking now:
Even though it’s only March, many camps fill up early. Be sure to check out camp fairs to get a jump on deciding what program or programs would be best for you and your child. The Oakland Camp Fair if coming up on April 30 from 8:30 to 11 a.m. at Sequoia Elementary School at 3730 Lincoln Ave. in Oakland.
Another option is to turn to the internet. The Chronicle’s database of schools, camps and activities is at sfgate.com/campguide or the American Association of University Women has a virtual fair at http://oakland piedmont-ca.aauw.net.
Decide on whether to go to a sleep-away or day camp:
This is an important consideration. According to the ACA, a child is usually ready for overnight camp when he or she can successfully spend one night away from home with a buddy. On average, sleepovers start at age 8 or 9, but some kids might not feel comfortable until ages 11 or 12.
Remember intangible results:
Camps aren’t meant to be autonomous. They are an opportunity for kids to meet children from different ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds and create friendships beyond the ones they have during the year. And nature camps especially allow children to “unplug” from the electronic world they live in, says Hoffman.
“Kids are nature deprived in general,” she says.
Unless your child is interested in a tech camp (many of which offer outdoor activities as well), being outdoors helps stimulate important brain activities. And that’s the most important thing a parent could want for their child during the summer.