How to choose the best summer camp for your child

And find what works for you

Each spring, the school year starts feeling wonderfully short and the end of school is finally on the horizon. It also means that for you as a parent, time is running out to research the best summer camps and pick one.

What should you look for in a summer camp for your child? We’ve compiled a few valuable pointers, so your kid can have a magical summer experience — and you can have a bit of a break yourself. 

happy child with paint on face and hands

What do you want in a summer camp? 

If you live in a metropolitan area like New York, LA, or Boston, you may have a gazillion summer camps (approximately) available, and can be hard to know what to look for to find the right one. The upside is, you have the greatest resource in starting your search right by your side: your kiddo.

Especially as your child gets older, they’ll be able to tell you what they want most of all in a camp. Take a moment together, sit down, and brainstorm all the dreamiest ideas you can think of for the ideal summer camp experience.

Ask your child these questions when considering a summer camp:

  • Does your kid have special hobbies or interests? There might be a camp that focuses on those specifically. 

  • Does your kid want a really outdoorsy experience and maximum lake-swimming time? Even city-based day camps provide field trips into the woods, if you know to look for one. 

  • Where are your kid’s friends going? This can also be an important factor, even though a big part of any camp is making new friends along the way. 

By including your kid in this part of the camp evaluation process, not only are you likely to find the best summer camp for your family — you’re also setting your kid up for a fun summer full of adventure (and a lower risk of tears at drop off). 

Remember also to think of your needs when considering summer camps. For a day camp where you drop off and pick up every day, it’s important to think about how that affects your commute time, compared to the normal walk to school or the bus.

Ask yourself these questions when considering a summer camp:

  • Does this camp have a bus that picks up?

  • Is drop-off 45 minutes out of your way?

  • How are the hours — is there after-camp care if you need full day childcare coverage?

Day camp vs. sleepaway camp

For many families, summer camp is a fun experience that actually fills the role of childcare during the summer months. In that case, you may be looking for a day camp with full day coverage where you still pick up and drop off your child every day, just like at preschool or school. These camps work well for younger kids who aren’t yet ready to spend nights away from home, and still often have a focus on certain hobbies or just fun summer activities, to give kids a break from a stricter curriculum.

If you are looking for a day camp, it is especially important to look at commute times and see if you can find one near your home, and to ensure they provide care at a schedule that suits your needs. 

Sleepaway camp, on the other hand, offers a big adventure for your child. Usually available to kids starting around age 7, sleepaway camp is still a big deal for many. You know your kid best and will have a sense if they’re ready to spend many nights away from their parents. For sleepaway camps, or resident camps as they’re also called, the drive to drop off and pick up may be less of a concern, since you only do it the one time. Instead, when considering the best camps for a sleepaway experience, you may focus more on the activities they’ll be providing. 

4 important things to look for in the best summer camps

After you’ve thought through your dream focus and ideal camp location, get up close and personal with these 4 details:

  1. Check staff to child ratio: are there enough adults around for individual attention if someone needs comforting, for fun activities and smaller group activities?

  2. Consider group sizes: if your child is uncomfortable in large groups, a smaller camp might be just right. 

  3. Is the camp accredited by the American Camp Association? This organization assures that camps are living up to standards in safety, well-being, and growth, and can give you peace of mind when dropping off your kid. 

  4. For a sleepaway camp in nature, how “in the wild” is it? Will your child be comfortable with the level of rustic living — and what are the camp’s routines if your child gets homesick mid-camp?

Your camp research will pay off for years

The thing about great summer camps is that your kid will want to go there again next year. This means the time and energy you put into picking the best summer camp this year pay dividends for years to come. When communicating with potential camps, ask for their retention rate. If an overwhelming number of kids are coming back year after year, that probably says something about how they feel about the camp. Also consider the age brackets they serve. Is this a camp your child will be able to come back to even as they grow and develop? Can the camp keep meeting them where they are?

Most camps will also allow you to come for a tour before committing. Bring your kiddo on a fun day adventure to visit your top 2-3 sleepaway camps and discover the activities, counselors, and possibilities each one provides. This way you’ll feel more comfortable sending your kid into the woods, and your kid will be excited long before it’s time to pack those bags. 

The best summer camp is the one that’s best for you

At the end of the day, with all the fantastic, engaging, clever, and thrilling summer camps out there, the best summer camp is the one that’s best for you and your kid. What works for the rest of your summer schedule and needs? What experience will make your kid feel like they had the ultimate summer? That’s what will turn those camp adventures into lazy-hazy-days of summer memories for life.

Want more tips on giving your child magical experiences or how to make it through the day when September rolls back around?

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