Home Big Kids Is My Child Ready for Summer Camp? By Audrey Monke Tinybeans Voices Contributor March 22, 2019 Search more like this summer campspecial needshow tosleepreadsportdisappointmentcampersadnesspodcastangermanagementwhen togrowth Advertisement Trending Now Entertainment & Movies Netflix Finally Releases Trailer for Netflix Addams Family Spinoff ‘Wednesday’ News News Anchor Parents ‘Report’ on Their Baby’s Day in Viral TikTok Viral & Trending Texas School District Removes Anne Frank Adaptation from Shelves Recalls 2 Million MamaRoo & RockaRoo Baby Swings Recalled after Infant Death Viral & Trending Scotland Becomes the 1st Country to Make Period Products Free Advertisement Photo: Gold Arrow Camp via Sunshine ParentingOver my three decades as a summer camp director, I’ve been asked thousands of questions about summer camp from parents, campers, and young adult counselors. Here are some commonly asked questions parents have when deciding on summer camp. What’s the best age for overnight summer camp?You probably want a number here, and if I have to pick, I’ll go with age nine. But my real answer is a bit more complex. When to start sending your child to sleep-away camp is a decision that depends on you, your parenting style, and your child’s temperament.Is my child ready for camp?Every child is different. But you as a parent must be ready to partner with the camp team, providing honest information about your child’s individual needs and being willing to come alongside us as we work to provide your child with the best experience possible. Watch this video for more information.Should I make my kid go to camp?Deciding to send your kid to camp for the first time can be scary, and—especially if you’re an anxious parent—it’s easy to come up with a never-ending list of why not to send your kid to camp. The key is to evaluate how both you and your child are feeling about camp: anxious or confident?Am I (and is my child) emotionally ready for camp?How does your child adapt to new environments or experiences? How does your child cope with sadness, anger, or disappointment? These are a few of the questions that can help you evaluate the emotional readiness of you and your child. Read more.How do I choose a camp?There are resident camps, day camps, specialty camps, and more. Some camps last one week, others a month. To determine which camp is right for you, take some time to think through some of the questions in this article.Where can I search for an American Camp Association (ACA) accredited Camp?You can search through ACA accredited camps here. The detailed search engine will help you find camps that fit your criteria, whether you’re looking for a camp within a select location or if there are specific activities you’d like your kid to try. Why should I select an ACA (American Camp Association) accredited camp?ACA Accreditation means that your child’s camp cares enough to undergo a thorough peer review of its operation—from staff qualifications and training to emergency management. Camps and ACA form a partnership that promotes growth and fun in an environment committed to safety.What are good questions to ask when selecting a sports camp?Sometimes it’s hard to know the right questions to ask when selecting a camp, and when it comes to sports camps—which can become especially competitive—it’s important to ask the right questions to be sure your kid ends up in an environment in which they thrive. Listen to this podcast for more information.How can I afford camp?There are various scholarships available to help send kids from financially disadvantaged backgrounds to camp. Read more to learn about how to apply for scholarships and what the process looks like.Is there a camp for my child with special needs?The short answer: yes! You can find more resources about sending children with special needs to camp here.Why should you feel okay about sending your child to camp?Sometimes kids worry that they’ll miss out on what’s happening at home with family or friends during their time at camp. As kids become teenagers, they also may worry that a summer job or internship is a better choice. Read this story on why one camper chose to keep coming back to camp year after year, and why she believes camp has equipped her with the resilience and grit to succeed in college and beyond.What are some good questions to ask when choosing a camp?If you’re new to the camp world, you may not know what to ask when researching different programs. This simple list of questions can help guide you on your search. This post originally appeared on Sunshine Parenting. Audrey Monke Tinybeans Voices Contributor I'm a summer camp director and mom of five who's worked with thousands of campers, counselors and parents over the past 34 years. Check out my new book, Happy Campers: 9 Summer Camp Secrets for Raising Kids Who Become Thriving Adults. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)Click to share on Copy (Opens in new window) Search more like this summer campspecial needshow tosleepreadsportdisappointmentcampersadnesspodcastangermanagementwhen togrowth Welcome to our Tinybeans family! Be sure to check your email for new activities, recipes and parenting hacks – and to see if you’ve won! Do you have a dog or cat? Select YES below and click submit to start receiving FREE pet ideas and inspiration, news about new pet products, exclusive offers and limited-time promotions. Yes, I have a pet! Submit GET READY FOR SUMMER! Enter to Win a $250 Gift Card! Enter your email and zip code below for a chance to win a Mastercard Gift Card. We’ll pick one winner per month through August 31, 2022 – 5 lucky winners in all! email zip_code campaign_name Enter Now! I agree to the official rules and to receive email communications from Tinybeans. By providing my email address, I agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience possible. Accepting the use of cookies enables important site functionality including personalization and analytics. Accept Decline Create an account to save this content on Tinybeans Choose how you would like to sign up. Continue with Apple Continue with Facebook Continue with Google or Continue with Email By signing up, you agree to Tinybeans Terms of Service and acknowledge you have read and agreed to our Privacy Policy. Sign in to your Tinybeans account Don’t have any account? Create an account here. Forgot your password? Reset it here. Sign In or Continue with Apple Continue with Facebook Continue with Google Personalized recommendations Tinybeans uses personal information to share useful recommendations and ideas for your family. This may include your previous activity, family profile and your hometown. Tinybeans keeps your data safe and does not sell personal information to any third party. Learn more about your privacy and location choices. Close
Entertainment & Movies Netflix Finally Releases Trailer for Netflix Addams Family Spinoff ‘Wednesday’