Kids follow their passions,
When Stacey Hoffman, executive director of Jam Camp West, a musical experience sleep-away camp nestled high in the redwoods at Loma Mar in the South Bay, suggested her sons go to her camp, she had a surprise waiting.
They weren’t interested. So, she didn’t force them. She let them choose a summer experience that better suited their interests.
And that is the main thing camp directors in general emphasize to parents: When deciding what to do during the long summer months, let your child follow their hearts.
Whether it is chess or archery, building robots or sailing, day camp or sleep-away, Bay Area parents are faced with many choices when summer rolls around and they want — or need — a camp or enrichment experience for their child. And those choices can be overwhelming. But if a parent truly understands the nature of their child, that is managing the biggest hurdle.
Luckily, there are hundreds of opportunities for children to follow their passions, even within the same camps these days. MaryBeth Cavanaugh, associate director at the Berkeley Rep School of Theatre, remembers when a student scoping out her program was deciding if he wanted to join.
“He said he absolutely didn’t want to act, didn’t want to be on stage,” she says. “So I emphasized to him that our camp offered many other opportunities, such as working on the technical crew or helping direct a performance. He ultimately loved the experience.”
She also underscores another important issue. When choosing a camp, make sure your child speaks with the director, either at a camp fair or on their own with a parent, to see if a certain program is right for them.
“Let your child be part of the decision-making process,” Cav- anaugh says.
The American Camp Association concurs with both Cavanaugh and Hoffman, and says a child’s interest in a camp or activity is probably the most important factor a parent should consider. They should also speak with their child about their wants, desires and fears for a fulfilling summer adventure.
Parents should stress the values of cooperation, helping out and not being afraid to ask for help when they need it.
These days there truly is a camp for every child from the digital world to natural settings. And if a child doesn’t know how to do something, camp is a wonderful way to learn, as Travis Lund of Treasure Island Sailing Center explains.
“We have some kids who come in who are afraid of the water or who can’t even swim, but we make sure they get comfortable around water, and can at least tread water with a