I often ask parents, “What are your kids doing next summer?” The answer often is, “Next summer? I don’t even know what they are doing next week!”
While we all have busy lives, certain things require putting aside some real time for planning and preparation. Choosing a summer camp for your child should be on the top of that list.
Making plans for the summer of 2008 may seem silly when the Christmas holidays just ended, but many camps are nearly filled by now. If you are truly considering sending your child to summer camp next summer you need to begin discussing options, in order to secure a spot at the summer camp of their choice. Over the past few years there has been an increased focus on choosing a camp early in order to be sure that your child is not excluded. Some summer camps have reported that they complete their enrollment 10-12 months prior to the next summer’s camp season. This change is the result of a number of factors. Increasing numbers of children attend residential summer camps, and camps are using more sophisticated marketing to help families determine if their program is a match to the family’s goals and interests.
More so than ever, parents have recognized the importance of making the right choice with the hope that their child will spend many summers at one camp making lifelong memories and friendships. To this end, parents are starting early, some 1-2 years before they intend to send their child to camp, by contacting camp referral agencies, the American Camping Association and their friends as a resource for determining which camps to consider.
Once a parent narrows down the list of camps to contact, the process is just beginning. Next will be the reviewing DVD and other marketing material, contacting the camp to schedule home visits by the director during the winter and often a summer visit to the camp. Many camps have even begun to offer future campers the opportunity to take part in a “Discovery Camp” overnight during summer so that the child can experience the camp in action and start to make friends with other future campers. These Discovery Camps are often offered in July and last 1-3 nights in duration depending on the camp. Be forewarned that enrolling for Discovery Camp and scheduling summer tours of a camp can be just as competitive as finding a spot at the premier camps. When contacting the camp, you should inquire as to the first day in when application are excepted for Discovery Camp and when summer tours can be booked. Both of these typically begin in later winter or early spring depending on the program.
While the process may seem overwhelming and unnerving for a first time camp parent, it can be fun and should be viewed as something that the entire family can enjoy. The DVDs are informative and the camp visits can be very exciting and great fun. Take a deep breath, start early and ask lots of questions. There is a camp for everyone and when you take the time to choose the right camp for your family you will be well rewarded.
Marc Honigfeld, camp owner of both Trails End Camp (www.trailsendcamp.com) and his new session camp, Chestnut Lake Camp (www.chestnutlakecamp.com), has over 25 years experience in advising parents and campers. A lifelong camper, Marc has significant understanding of the camp scene, along with thousands of camper success stories.
