Tips for Selecting a Summer Camp
When picking a summer camp or program, every family needs to consider its own personal needs and requirements. Listed below are some tips and recommendations from the nation's leading child care and education provider, KinderCare Learning Centers.
- Establish your family's goals and interests. Engage in a conversation with your child about his or her interests. Discuss potential types of camps - sports, language, leadership, etc. and identify the area or areas he or she is interested in or would like to learn more about.
- Identify your needs. Realistically evaluate your needs for care for your child. Do you need full days, part days, all summer, certain weeks of the summer, etc? Think about the flexibility of your job situation and the other commitments you may have during the summer. Ask for the program's definition of a 'full day'. Some full day programs only operate hours such as 9am to 3pm. If you work full time or have commitments throughout the day, this kind of program may present big challenges.
- Look for camps that present variety and flexibility for your child and for you. Like adults, most children want some variety in their day and across a week or weeks. Look for programs that have a range of activities, experiences, and types of opportunities. Consider the availability of active and quiet activities, field trips, activities that encourage social interactions with other children, and more. Also, consider the program's ability to be flexible to your needs. Can the program accommodate extra hours, days, or weeks of care should you need them? Can the program be flexible to your summer schedule for vacations and other commitments?
- Balance learning and fun. Most children think of summer as a break from school and learning. And, certainly summer should present fun filled activities that give children an experience different from their typical school day. At the same time, research shows that summer 'academic slump' in which children lose valuable gains made during the school year, can be combated by choosing a program that incorporates some learning activities into the camp day. These activities should be offered in a way that encourages children and stresses fun while learning, rather than rote drill of academic 'facts.'
- Remember all domains of development. Children need daily experiences in all developmental domains - social, emotional, physical, and intellectual. Ideally, look for a summer program that incorporates activities across all domains. Not only will children in these types of programs benefit from the variety, they will actually enjoy the program more because it has wide ranging topics and is more interesting over time.
- Insist on health and safety basics. Look for centers or programs that are licensed and meet stringent health and safety requirements for the care of children. Some summer programs do not participate in state or local licensing or regulatory programs based on exemptions as recreational or seasonal offerings. Be warned that these programs may not meet basic health and safety guidelines for teacher to child ratios, safety practices, or health inspections.
- Visit the program and preview the plans for the summer activities. Enrolling in a program is best accomplished during a visit to the facility and after having had a chance to preview the program offering. Look for well organized plans of activities, thoughtful preparation, and a safe and inviting environment for your child.
- Meet the program staff. Of course you will want to feel comfortable with the people who will be caring for, instructing, and interacting with your child. Meet the program manager and as many of the staff members as possible. Look for people who are eager to work with this age group of children and who have been trained to meet the social, emotional, cognitive, and physical needs of children throughout a full day of activity. Also, ask about the program's plans for including families and communicating with you about daily and weekly activities.
About KinderCare Learning Centers
Portland, Oregon-based KinderCare Learning Centers are the nation's leading early childhood education and care provider. KinderCare operates more than 1900 community-based centers across the country with more than 800 centers accredited by the National Association for Education of Young Children. Accreditation is awarded only to high quality early childhood programs reviewed by a national commission comprised of recognized experts in child care and early childhood education.
KinderCare Learning Centers' 2008 summer day camp program, Gold Medal Adventures 2008, is a 12-week program offering both preschool and school-age children the opportunity to participate in a series of fun-filled adventures that will introduce concepts of health and fitness as well as a variety of team building activities that encourage goal-setting and teamwork. Developed by leading early childhood education experts, the program is presented in two, six-week segments and offers a stimulating curriculum that is fun, imaginative and educational. For more information on KinderCare Learning Centers' Summer Adventures Gold Medal Adventures program, parents can visit www.kindercare.com or call their local KinderCare center.
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