Summer camps are a wonderful opportunity for children to explore new interests, make lifelong friendships, and create lasting memories. With a myriad of options available, selecting the perfect summer camp for your child can feel like a daunting task. With careful consideration and research, you can find a program that aligns with your child's interests, personality, and developmental needs. We'll explore key factors to consider when choosing the ideal summer camp for your kids.
Understanding your child's interests, hobbies, and personality traits; consider their preferences for outdoor activities, sports, arts and crafts, academic enrichment, or adventure-based experiences. Additionally, assess any special needs or considerations that may impact their camp experience, such as dietary restrictions, allergies, or medical conditions.
Research all types of summer camps to find one that aligns with you and your child's interests and values. Whether your child is drawn to traditional overnight camps, specialty camps focused on a specific activity or skill, or day camps with a variety of offerings, it is important to understand the camp's focus and philosophy.
Always consider your child's comfort level when selecting a summer camp. Some children thrive in a residential camp setting, while others may prefer the familiarity and security of a day camp close to home. Factors such as the camp's location, facilities, and accommodations will ensure your child feels safe and comfortable during their time away from home.
The quality of the camp staff and counselors can significantly impact your child's camp experience. Ask about staff-to-camper ratios, counselor qualifications, background checks, and training programs. Look for camps that prioritize hiring experienced, enthusiastic, and caring individuals who are committed to creating a positive and supportive environment for campers.
Safety should always be a top priority when choosing a summer camp for your child. Inquire about the camp's safety and supervision protocols, including emergency procedures, medical staff availability, and camper supervision policies. Ensure that the camp is accredited by relevant organizations and complies with industry standards for health, safety, and sanitation.
Take a virtual or in-person tour of the camp facilities to assess the amenities and activity offerings. The quality of accommodations, dining options, recreational facilities, and specialized equipment should all be inspected during the tour. Evaluate the variety and quality of activities offered, including sports, arts and crafts, outdoor adventures, and educational programming, to ensure there are opportunities for your child to explore their interests and try new things.
Reach out to other parents, and friends, for recommendations and feedback on camps they've attended or heard about. Online reviews, testimonials, and social media groups will also provide valuable insights into the quality and reputation of different camps.
Empower your child to be part of the decision-making process when choosing a summer camp. Discuss their interests, preferences, and concerns, and involve them in researching and exploring different camp options.
Camp Manitou - campmanitou.com
Opened in 1947, all-boys Camp Manitou is now owned by a former Manitou camper and counselor. Offering a balance between choice and all-camp activities, Manitou is a traditional camp with a traditional 8 a.m. Reveille and milk and cookies at 9 p.m. Activities run the gamut from tennis to BMX to ice hockey, as well as SAT prep, whitewater rafting, and riflery, yoga, and track and field. It has a 10,000-square-foot dining hall specializing in seasonal and locally grown ingredients, with formal dinners on theater night and stations for those with food restrictions and aversions. Their head chef trained at the Four Seasons and advocates sustainable farming. Each cabin has single beds and bunk beds, bathrooms and showers, and a screened-in porch.
Camp Laurel - camplaurel.com
Divided into six campuses organized by age (three for the 240 boy campers and three for the 240 girl campers), Camp Laurel enjoys the best of both worlds: a huge campus with state of the art facilities while still providing a smaller, more intimate experience with personal attention and traditional activities like a morning campus-wide meeting. Laurel has been fully updated for the modern era: there are laundry services, an FM radio station, two fully equipped cooking studios for budding Boulud's, activities like Zumba and Pilates, and a 3,000 square foot indoor gymnastics facility. Other highlights include 15 tennis courts, a roller hockey arena, beach volleyball court, ropes courses and zipline towers, and impressive equestrian facilities, including 22 horses.
Raquette Lake Camp - raquettelake.com
Founded in 1916, Raquette Lake Camp enjoys a reputation as the Harvard of summer camps, with extensive programs, state of the art lodgings, required uniforms, on-site chefs, and a difficult, exclusive application process. Those who are not grandfathered in as siblings of previous members must undergo an interview process for approximately 10 to 12 extra spots per year. Divided into both a boys camp and a girls camp separated by a lake, activities are wide and varied: gymnastics, ice hockey, horseback riding, canoeing, sailing, lacrosse, baseball, and tennis are but a few of the sports offered, while the theater and arts program are also well-regarded. At the end of summer, campers participate in a weeklong Color War, divided into two groups of green and white for boys, and blue and white for girls.
