I love camp! I think summer camp is an amazing opportunity for kids to get outside, explore new activities and make new friends. When I was a kid I was lucky and was able to spend most of my summers at a variety of different types of summer camp.
My parents sent me to arts camp, sports camp and general day camp where I had the opportunity to swim every day, explore nature and meet new friends.
As I grew up I went to sleep away camp for a number of years and then became a camp counselor, swimming instructor/lifeguard and unit head (at a day camp) looking after over 100 kids and 30 counselors as a part of my unit.
E and I started off by sending R to camp for one month last summer (when he was 4). He had so much fun, met new friends and learned new skills. This summer he’ll be going to day camp for the entire summer.
Camp has so many benefits but it is difficult to choose summer camp for your child. Do you want to send your child to a camp that is small or large? Urban or rural? General or specialized?
How to Choose a Summer Camp for your Child
There are many factors to consider and hopefully this post will help you choose the perfect summer camp for your family.
Accreditation
When checking out a new camp one of the first things I would do is see if the camp is accredited. For example, in Ontario the Ontario Camps Association reviews camps and determines whether or not the specific camp meets the OCA’s specific standards.
While nothing is foolproof, having an accreditation can provide some comfort knowing that the camp in question meets a certain set of criteria.
Oh I would to send my kids to summer camp when they are older as like you say I think it is really great for kids! The opportunity to be outdoors and exploring is something that should be really embraced. I really loved it when I was a kid. Also great tips for finding the right camp 🙂 Thanks so much for linking up at #KCACOLS. Hope you come back again next Sunday.
Hi Emma thanks for your comment! It is so nice for kids to get out from behind their screens and desks at school and into the fresh air and sunshine. Happy you found the tips useful. Have a great week!
Summer camp isn’t much of a thing over here in the UK – we have such a short summer holiday from school. It sounds like such a fun idea though! #KCACOLS
Hi Rebecca thanks for your comment. I didn’t realize that the summer vacations are shorter in the UK than in Canada/US. I was reading an article in the NYT that explained the difference as well and that the European way is easier for working parents since it can be so difficult to afford childcare during the summer especially with more than one child.
I loved sleepaway summer camp as a young adult! I always went to special music/theatre camps, but I loved the experience of being surrounded by people who were into the same things as me! I even became a summer camp counselor right after I graduated from college and I loved it just as much!
Hi K thanks for your comment – I loved sleep away camp as well – so much fun! Hope you have a great week
Thank you for sharing at #OverTheMoon. pinned and tweeted.
Thanks Marilyn!
These are great tips! Thanks so much for sharing at Inspiration Thursday! Have a fantastic week.
Thanks Lela!
I’m a big fan of camps too – when I was younger I did dance, drama, sports camps; I have 4 brothers and sisters so I am sure it helped my Mum out! But I loved it and my stepson regularly goes to sports camps in the summer holidays. This is a great guide to help you find the right one and you’re absolutely right, you have to think about all of this (cost/suitability of age/location) so that your child gets the best out of it. #KCACOLS
Thanks so much for your comment and I’m glad you found the post helpful. I hope you have a great summer!
Love the idea of a summer camp to explore outdoors and make new friends. We don’t really have them much around here though. #KCACOLS
Thanks for your comment Sara. I think camps are more common in North America because I think our summer holidays are longer. I didn’t realize that until I actually put this post together! Hope you have a lovely summer.
This is fab. We don’t have these so much in the UK but I think they are a great idea.
Thanks so much for linking up at #KCACOLS. Hope you come back again next Sunday.
Azaria- Being Mrs Lynch
Thanks very much Azaria – hope you have a great summer!
we don’t really have anything like this in the UK :/ I remember wishing we did when I was younger and used to read loads of SVH books haha! #KCACOLS
Lol! I used to love those books too. I don’t think my summer camp experience was the same tho 😉
In the UK we don’t have Summer camps but as a teacher I know of students that have gone to america to work at summer camps which has been a fab experience for them. I don’t think i could send my son as young as 4, they still seem so small! #KCACOLS
Hi Becky I think your students must be going to sleep away camp as teenagers. In addition to overnight camps we also have day camp for kids on school break so it’s only around the same length of time per day as going to school. I couldn’t imagine sending my 4 or 5 yr old to sleep away camp!
Definitely some great information in this post. I didn’t do too many camps growing up, but I have a feeling my child will grow up a little more active and outdoorsy heh. #KCACOLS
Thanks so much Julie!
I would love to send my daughter to a camp this summer- she would be thrilled!. Most of them seem to start at 5 here. Then again, I could just be looking in the wrong places!