I often ask parents, “What are your kids doing next summer?” The answer I usually get 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 to ensure the right amount of planning and preparation. Choosing a summer camp for your child should be right up there on top of that list.
Making plans for the summer of 2009 may seem silly when you look out the window and see snow on the ground, but take it from me, most camps are nearly filled by now. If you are truly considering sending your child to summer camp in June 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 closed out. Some summer camps have reported that they complete their enrollment 10-12 months prior to the next summer’s camp season.
More so than ever, parents have recognized the importance of making the “right choice” with the hope that the child will spend many summers at one camp making memories and friendships that will last a lifetime. To this end, parents are starting early, some 1-2 years before they intend to send their child, by utilizing camp referral agencies like 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 reviewing DVDs and other marketing materials, 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 camps.
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 applications are accepted for Discovery Camp and when summer tours can be booked. Both of these typically began in later winter or early spring depending on the program.
The DVDs are informative and the camp visits can be very exciting, and make for great fun. My advice - 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 find YOUR CAMP.
Reprinted with permission of Frost Publications, Inc. and www.gocamps.com.
