Why Fall Is a Great Time of Year to Find a Camp

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.