Has your son or daughter even gone to summer camp? If the answer is yes, did they come home with great experiences to talk about?
Going off to summer camp can be both fun and educational for your child.
With that in mind, is it time you began looking around to see which summer site might best meet their needs?
Learning and Fun Add up to a Good Time
In the event you are thinking about sending your child to summer camp this year, remember a few pointers:
- Pick early – Don’t be the parent who waits until the last moment to sign your kid up for camp. If you do, you may discover that the camp you both wanted is out of space. While your child still may go off to camp, will it be the one you both desired. Giving you months of preparation time to find a summer camp is wise.
- Get recommendations – In trying to find a fit for your kid, ask parents in your circle where they send their kids. Do they have some camps that stand out from others? You might even look to send your child to a camp where some of his or her friends will be in attendance. This way, they have one or more people to pal around with.
- Don’t forget the education – Although camp is for outdoor fun, don’t overlook education. Remember, you want to educate your children at summer camp. From arts and crafts to science and more, your child should come away from camp having learned. When they do, it is a win-win for you and them.
- Remembering home – While you do not want your kid calling all the time, let them reach out via phone on occasion. For some kids, going away on their own for the first time can be a little nerve-wracking. As such, it is better that they have the option of contacting you if they want to say a simple hello.
- Emerging from their shell – For those kids who’ve battled shyness, going to camp could be a challenge. As it turns out, summer camps can be a great way for kids to emerge from their shells. Encourage your child to make friends and be more open during their camp experience. You may end up finding a different kid coming home than the one who left for camp only a week or two ago.
- Record the moments – Last, make sure your child takes some pictures of camp experiences. You might even encourage them to record a journal. This can be a great means for them to look back on their fun and learning.
When you decided a ways back to have children, you knew that one day they would leave you for a period of time.
Going off to summer camp can be one of the best experiences possible for both your child and you.
So, where is your child going this summer?
