Fall is a great time of year for parents to research a camp. Your child’s summer
experience is still fresh on your mind yet your child is settled back in school
and you can now focus on next summer.
Talk to camp
directors –When choosing a camp, parents want to make sure they click with
the camp director. Ask key questions
about the camp program and philosophy and make sure what the director describes
sounds like it would be a good fit for your child. Remember to give the camp director an
accurate picture of your child and what your specific goals are for your child’s
camp experience.
Open houses –
Many camps have open houses and fall festivals that offer families a chance to
see the camp facilities and get a feel for the camp. They are also a good opportunity for
families to get to know the camp director and ask questions about the camp
philosophy and program while in the camp setting.
Camp fairs – At
camp fairs, parents can walk around and
meet different directors, learn about various programs and get a good feel for more
than one camp all in a short amount of time. Visit the ACA, NY and NJ website for
a list of upcoming NY and NJ camp fairs.
Search for camp with
your child – If you and your child are thinking that next
summer would be a good time to go to camp, taking the time to start your search
early will give you plenty of time to find the right camp. Search camps online together and look over a
camp’s website, video and social media. They
will give families a sense of what a particular camp is like. Most camp
websites have photos, videos, virtual tours, and maps which will give parents
and children a glimpse of the camp and the camp program. Some camps will also tour during the off
season if you would like to see the facilities. The more involved a child feels
in the decision of choosing a camp, the more successful the camp experience
will be.
Look for camp early
for savings - Families who have already decided on a camp for their child
shouldn’t wait to register. Many camps offer early bird specials. Registering early can be a real savings for
parents and also ensures that your child won’t be shut out of the camp program
he or she wants. Ask the camp if they offer payment plans which can make it
easier for parents to pay for camp over the year. Some camps also allow you to prepay the camp
season and will give you a significant discount.
Make camp part of
holidays – Thinking of some early holiday shopping? Instead of purchasing more
electronics & toys for your child, you can make camp a holiday gift. There is no better gift you can give your
child then the chance to build life skills like confidence, leadership,
creativity—skills that will help them throughout their whole life.
Prepare child with
overnights – If you are
considering sleepaway camp, schedule some fall sleepovers with friends and relatives and make
sure these overnights are successful. Positive overnight experiences are a good sign
that your child may be ready for sleepaway camp.
