Are you thinking about sending your child to a summer camp? It is the best idea ever as long as you get thoroughly informed about the camp you choose. First of all, you need to discuss with your child about the preferences he or she has. Some kids might prefer going to a summer camp that specializes in music, while others might prefer sports camps. Depending on what they want and what you consider relevant for their extracurricular activity, you can choose a summer camp with extensive courses in a certain domain.
As a parent, your responsibility is to make sure that the summer camp you select has a good reputation, that the people who are responsible with organizing the activities are trustworthy and reliable and that your child will get absolutely everything he or she needs during the respective period of time. This article will help you assess all options and narrow the list so that you can finally make a choice. Keep reading for getting all the details:
Check the services available at the camp
Before anything else, you have to check and compare the services that various summer camps offer. You should take into account the following factors:
- Transportation
Is the camp offering transportation services from home to the camp and vice-versa? Is transportation assured for other trips that the camp organizes? Check out such details on the summer camp official page or go in person and talk with one of the managers.
- Meals
Depending on what type of summer camp you choose, meals may be or may not be included. For day camps, meals are usually not included, and children should bring their own food. For sleep-away camps, meals are usually included. Choose the one that is most suitable for the situation you are in.
- Insurance
Check whether the summer camp offers insurance or not. For extra safety, you may want to opt for a summer camp that does include a health insurance or other similar services. Especially in the case of sports camps, health insurance plays a huge role in keeping your children safe. Risky activities should always be backed up by insurance because you are not going to be there at any given moment to prevent an accident from happening.
Online research
It’s time to do some online research about the summer camp you’re interested in though summer camp social media. You can find various reviews, services, and information regarding the certifications that the summer camp obtained and even the opinions of other parents who sent their children there.
- Certifications
Look for summer camps that obtained at least one certification in the domain they work. Pay attention to the team members and tutors that run the activities in the summer camp. Do some research on them too.
- Reviews
There are always online reviews and testimonials for all summer camps you may select. Just read a few and see what people have to say. Be careful – some testimonials might be fake. This is the reason why you should always have a second source for informing yourself.
- What other parents have to say?
The most trustworthy source of information comes from other parents who also got their children signed up for the respective summer camp. You can ask them some questions about all the details that concern you and this will surely help you make a decision in the end.
Budget breakdown
Think about your budget as well. Don’t try to outrun your financial situation and select a summer camp that you can’t afford. The whole purpose of this summer camp is to help your child have some fun, break the routine and learn something new. There’s no need to spend a fortune on it or to reach bankruptcy just because the summer camp costs too much. Try to save some money before summer arrives and everything should be fine. You should clearly ask what the tuition fee covers and what additional costs may be involved, so you know from the very beginning what to expect, financially speaking.
Activities included
See if the summer camp has enough activities that your child can get involved in without becoming bored. For instance, when you choose a sports camp in Ontario, make sure it offers options for canoeing or other water sports, land sports or even triathlons. The more diverse the daily schedule is, the higher the chances that your child will enjoy the camp. Again, you should communicate with your children and see what they have to say first. Are they interested in the activities the summer camp offers? Would they enjoy being there? Ask as many questions as possible so that you can tell whether the summer camp is suitable for your little one or not. Once you made a decision, visit the camp and see in person whether everything is how you expected.
