Day camp? Sports Camp? Adventure Camp? Here's how to find a good summer camp for your child

Summer camp season is just around the corner. Parents and grandparents have many choices of camps – from day camps to overnight camps; adventure camps; religious camps; scout camps; theater, music and arts camps; academic camps; sports camps; girls- or boys-only camps; and specialty camps for kids with diabetes, autism or cancer, to name just a few.

Formal summer camp programs for children have been popular for more than 100 years, helping kids connect with the outdoors, try new skills and make lasting friendships. Some campers find that after a few days or weeks of sharing the camping experience, they know their fellow campers better than friends they’ve known for years at home. According to the American Camp Association, “Quality camp experiences help children develop the healthy emotional and social skills necessary to grow into strong, considerate,

competent adults.”

With so many choices, how do you pick a high-quality camping experience that will best meet the needs and interests of your child? Factors to consider include session length, location and the expectations you and your child have for activities at camp.

In the Twin Ports, the United Way offers a publication called the GO Guide (Guide to Summer Opportunities for Youth), available each March at the United Way’s Web site, www.unitedwayduluth.org. A print version is available at most schools and youth programs. The American Camp

Association offers a directory of accredited camps, as well as tips for campers and parents at www.acacamps.org.

For many children, day camps provide an ideal first experience. Day camps offer a number of activities to try, yet kids can still sleep in their own beds at night. Day camps range from a morning or afternoon for the youngest

campers – some even offering “mom and me” or “dad and me” options – to full days with before- and after-work extended hours. Some day camps include an overnight camping trip. Transportation sometimes is provided from a central location if the camp is out of town.

Resident camps abound, and great options exist right here in our backyard as well as around the country. Resident camps range from one week to the entire summer, and are geared toward a range of ages and activities. Some

camps offer a progression of trips, with participants who return year after year, working up to more advanced expeditions and trips by canoe, backpacking, horseback, sailboat, bike or kayak.

Other camps are known for their arts and cultural programs, and still others train young athletes to make strides in their sport while having the opportunity to make new friends and try other traditional camp activities such as games, crafts, outdoor cooking, swimming, boating and the infamous camp skits.

Special needs camps include day camps and resident camps that help kids connect with other children and families. These camps also have staff trained to work with special needs populations, and programs may include

adapted equipment for campers with physical disabilities.

Speak with the camp director to find out how camp programs and staff accommodate campers with special needs to ensure a high quality experience.

And what about safety while at camp? Do your homework. Many camps participate in the American Camp Association’s accreditation, a voluntary process that provides a high standard of practices for camp directors and staff. But camps that do not participate in accreditation may also provide high quality programs.

Look for low staff-to-camper ratios and the total number of campers per

session. Ask about experience and certifications, such as first aid, CPR, life guarding and other qualifications of the staff leading camp activities. That’s especially important for specialized programs, such as outdoor adventure and sports camps.

If transportation is provided, find out who is driving and what kinds of

vehicles are used. Ask about how the camp helps kids work through challenges and if they have a behavior policy. If a camp outsources specialty programming, such as rock climbing or kayaking, find out about the providers’ experiences working with youth and if they have appropriate equipment sized for children.

Most camps offer scholarships for low- to moderate-income families, work

days and other opportunities to offset the cost of camp to help make it accessible to all kids.

And remember, camp is popular so register early. Some camps fill up by May.

Stephanie Love is the co-founder and director of Positive Energy Outdoor (ed)Ventures. She has directed day camp and residential camp programs in Minnesota and Michigan.

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