Guest Blog by Janna Morris-Meeks
5 Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Book
With just a little more than two months left of school, now is the time to be thinking about how your children will spend – and you will survive – the summer months ahead. Luckily, there are plenty of camp opportunities in the Chattahoochee Valley region. Your child can do everything from create original pieces of jewelry to learn how to be a better steward of our ecosystem. If choosing the right summer camp for your son or daughter seems overwhelming, consider the following five questions before you begin your search:
1. What kind of camp structure would be most beneficial for your child?
Consider whether or not your child is ready for an all-day camp. “Younger campers may need a half-day camp experience, while more mature kids could be ready for an all-day schedule,” says Kristin Barker, marketing manager for Columbus State University’s Continuing Education Department. Kristin also suggests taking your child’s current activity level into account when searching for a camp. Children who are not very active on a regular basis may have a difficult time keeping up at more athletic camps, while very energetic children may not enjoy less active camps. Also, keep in mind any special needs that your child has, such as attention deficit disorder or asthma, in case you want to find a camp designed with those needs in mind.
2. What is your child’s camp preference?
“Campers are more likely to have a great time at camp when they get to be involved in choosing the camp they attend,” Kristin adds. She recommends including your child in the camp selection process in an age-appropriate way. While you might allow a younger child to choose between two camps, it probably makes more sense to hand your independent middle-schooler a highlighter and the camp catalog. Involving your child to be a part of the selection process allows them to begin camp on a positive note. On the flip side, selecting a camp for your child without his input can be a recipe for a week of meltdowns or sulking.
3. What is your summer camp budget?
Decide how much money you want to shell out for camp fees. Remember that some programs may require you to purchase additional materials. Take the cost of these items into account when making your final decision. Is money tight this summer? Consider vacation bible schools, which are typically offered for free, or check with local service organizations, such as Valley Rescue Mission. This organization runs Camp JOY, a summer camp for children regardless of their ability to pay.
4. What type of camp schedule would best fit your family’s calendar and lifestyle?
Take a look at your summer plans, and black out dates where camp would interfere with items that are already on the family calendar, such as grandmother’s 75th birthday celebration. Additionally, think realistically about your family’s summertime schedule. Are you morning people who are ready to walk out the door by 8 a.m., or are you more likely to be ready to head out around noon? Look for a camp with a start and end time that is manageable for you.
5. Are there any potential camp activities or locations that make you uncomfortable?
Your 10-year-old daughter may want to tackle rock climbing this summer, but is that something that you are OK with her trying? To feel good about the camp your child is going to attend, you need to be at ease with the activities provided and the camp’s environment. Are you open to the camp transporting your child to and from different locations? Do you feel that the facility where the camp is being held is secure? Get an idea of the activities you are not ready for your child to participate in and the sort of safety and security measures you want to see being used at the camp.
Once you can picture the type of camp experience you want for your child, the next step is to find a camp that matches your preferences. If you are interested in finding out about local summer camp offerings, visit the Muscogee Moms Summer Camp Directory and make plans to attend our annual Kids Camp & Summer Fun Fair. This event, brought to you by MuscogeeMoms.com and Family & Kids magazine, is a great opportunity to meet with representatives from many summer camp programs held in the greater Columbus area. Registration is free and can be completed at www.muscogeemoms.com.
Another helpful resource is the American Camp Association’s Web site (www.campparents.org). It provides information for camps nationwide, and is especially useful when searching for sleep-away or out-of-town camps. Are you in search of a soccer camp that costs less than $200 per week in the state of Georgia for an 11-year-old? Try the advanced search tool, which allows you to narrow your search according to type of activity, cost per week, location, age range and more. Additionally, you can generate a list of camps designed for children with special needs.
Finally, ask the parents of your child’s friends where they plan to send their children for camp and where they have sent their children in previous years. Talking with parents whose children have attended camps in the past can help you gauge the quality of those particular programs – and might also help you to work out a carpool for this summer.
Photo Credits: istockphoto.com
