Stage One: Is your child ready for overnight camp? And what about you?
Many children as young as five go off to overnight camp (aka sleepaway camp or residential camp) quite happily; others are not ready until much later, if at all. Explore the topic with your child and judge how comfortable he or she is with the idea. Sleepovers with friends, school trips or day camps all can help prepare a child, and indicate whether your son or daughter is ready for the independence of overnight camp.
Parents, not children, are often the most upset when their children go to overnight camp the first time, says Kim Mitchell, director of the Girl Guides’ Camp Ma-Kee-Wa in the Caledon Hills outside Toronto, Ontario. “It’s the parents that are homesick.” Parents can be so disruptive when they visit on parents’ day that some Ontario camps have now cut out the traditional parent visit.
Staying objective is easier if you keep in touch with other parents who have children at the camp, Blackstock says.
Stage Two: What sort of camp?
Find out what your child wants to get out of camp. Usually the list goes something like this: Have fun, meet new friends, learn new skills. After that, consider a child’s special interests. Is he mad about trampoline or trombone? Does she want to ride on a ranch or indulge in quieter nature study?
All boys, all girls or a coed camp?
Many camps have a religious theme: Do you want particular beliefs instilled in your child?
Is a general camp the best choice first time? Maybe not, says Blackstock, who suggests sending children to a camp that capture their interest. It may well turn out to be the camp they return to again and again, and one where they’ll make friends for life. He also warns that a camp you attended as a child may have changed ownership and philosophy, so check before making assumptions.
Stage Three: Finding the right overnight camp
Here are five great information sources:
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First and always, word of mouth. Parents tell other parents about their kids’ camping experience.
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Right in front of you: Camps.ca aims to be a single source for everything you need to know about summer camps.
- Our magazine, Our Kids Go To Camp is an annual publication chock full of information and listings.
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Individual camp websites.
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Camping association websites and guides.
The more research you do, the less chance of disappointment. Involve your kids in the search, narrowing it down to two or three camps. If possible, visit open houses or phone camp directors for more information about those camps.
Stage Four: Getting the goods
You’ll want to know the camp’s philosophy, its ideas about developing self-confidence and leadership skills, how the kids learn to live together. Check the staff-to-camper ratio. Is it appropriate for the kids’ ages or special needs? Remember, too, that counsellors are often superb role models for their young charges.
Safety is a parent’s frequent concern, as too is the condition of the campsite, its facilities and equipment. Camping association accreditation guidelines, and camps themselves, provide information on this and many other aspects of camp operations.
Ask about training and experience of staff, and about health concerns: What are the emergency medical procedures? How close is the nearest hospital? What is the camp’s policy on prescription medications?
When it comes to food, most camps have nutritionists advising on the menus to ensure meals are balanced and snacks are limited. Inquire about salad bars, vegetarian options and food allergies.
When considering length of stay, you know best when your child is of an age to consider residential camp, whether for one week or longer. But try to plan on a minimum stay of two weeks, Blackstock says: shorter than that and the kids are thinking about going home soon after they’ve arrived. Don’t hesitate to ask to be put in touch with parents who have sent their kids to the camp for two or three years. They know what you’re going through and are a great resource.
Ready and set to go
As departure day approaches, prepare together, making lists, packing (not forgetting a few non-food surprises and games in the knapsack), talking about the camp, maybe telling about your own experiences at camp. Going on the bus to camp is part of getting to know the other kids. But coming back, some campers like to be picked up — so they can tell you all their summer adventures on the drive home.
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