Summer Camp For Keeping Your Kids Busy

There are several ways through which you can keep your child occupied during vacations. Keeping children busy during vacations is extremely important where both parents are working professional. In cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad most families with working parents depend on a network of caregivers to manage work and family demands. Summer camp starts by the end of March and there are thousand of camps which appear to be similar, but each camp has its own objective. In some apartment complex, Residents Welfare Association or Apartment Owners Association comes forward to organize a summer camp for the children in the apartment. Summer camp varies from day camps, sleep-away summer camp or month-long summer camps.

Tips for Choosing Summer Camp

Summer Camp is not just camp that makes kids busy when parents are busy in their work. Summer camp allows kids to feel a sense of independence, builds self-esteem, try new things and provides your kids an opportunity to learn on nature and the outdoors. Therefore choosing a summer camp plays vital role. Following are some useful tips for choosing right summer camp.

• Decide together: Choosing Summer Camp is not merely deciding your budget and convenience. Summer Camp is a form of vacation, a learning experience, or a bit of both. Before you choose a Summer Camp, discuss with your kid whether your child would like to go to a day or overnight camp. Try to find out more about the likes and dislikes of your child. Discuss with your kids about special interests that your child wants to explore, expectations of the camp, fun and entertainment, learning new skills etc. Write down your goals and keep them in mind when planning camp activities. However, you should not force your child to take-up hobby classes or camp if your child is not interested.

• Make a List of Summer Camp: Choosing a summer camp program for your child involves some important research. Today there are number of summer camps such as hobby classes, Adventure Camp, Camp for awareness of nature and outdoor, learning new skills, arts and craft classes, cooking classes, computer courses etc. Check size of a camp, list of activities, whether day or overnight camp, Age of Kids, how close to home is the camp, cost of camp and discounts offered, opportunity to learn new skill, objective of camp etc. Make the list of service providers or Summer Camp organizers available in your city or neighborhood.

• Safety and emergency plans: The camp organizer must have provisions and medically trained staff to handle emergency or incase something goes wrong. You can ask for checklist or list of items you need to provide when your kid or children attending the summer camp. Find out what the camp’s rules and medical staff work at the camp.

• Ratio of staff members: Check that the staff-to-child ratio is appropriate for different age groups. It is recommended to have One staff member for every five campers ages 4 and 5,every six campers ages 6 to 8, every eight campers ages 9 to 14, every 10 campers ages 15 to 17 respectively.

• Ask Questions: Before you choose a summer camp ensure that the camp is safe, experienced and the camp will provide your kid an opportunity to learn new skills along with entertainment. You can ask questions to director of camp or counselors to clear your doubts. Ask questions such as how long it’s been operating, what licenses it has, How does the camp recruit staff, ratio of counselors to campers, Do counselors receive first-aid/CPR training, who will be driving kids on field trips, Duration of Camp, whether day camp or overnight camp etc. Ask about safety measures adopted, any previous accidents in camp etc. You can also ask referral of previous campers and schools attended summer camp last year. Familiarize yourself with any camp regulations regarding food and money.

• Choose One: Once you discussed and noted your kid’s likes and dislikes, shortlist 3 to 5 Summer Camp in your city or neighborhood that you feel best for this summer vacation. Eliminate one by one discussing with your kid and family members. Last you will have two or three summer camp which you can visit and talk to director or organizers of camp. Choose one summer camp that you feel your kid will enjoy and keep your kid busy this summer vacation.

When selecting a camp ask other parents, relatives or neighbor for recommendations. This can help you select a camp. Pick a camp according to your child’s interests. Taking a best friend along can be more than double the fun. Consider arranging for a first-time camper to attend with a close friend or relative. Tell your child about the activities offered and share brochures that you may have about the camp. Most summer camps provide supply lists. Pack according to what is listed.

Organizing your own Summer Camp for Kids

If you are free and can spend time with your kids on this summer vacation, you can organize your own summer camp. You can choose a theme for the camp. There are number of themes for camp like arts, music, dance, cooking class etc. You can think creatively to entertain your kid. If the camp is always in one room or place, it will bore kids by one or two weeks. You can organize sight seeing, one day tour, picnic, visiting Fantasy Park etc. The activity should be simple, entertainment and develop skills of children. Camp should provide some physical and mental exercise. If your Apartment Community is conducting summer camp for the kids in apartment complex, you can be volunteer or one of the counselors   for the camp.

There should be precaution steps to avoid accident and injuries to children in camp. In case of emergency, there must be a doctor or expert in same field to take care of children. First aid should be available as and when required. Make sure your child does not feel pressured and remind them that the main purpose of camp is to relax and have fun.

There are literally thousands to choose from, and even when the programs appear similar, each camp has its own personality. Start with an evaluation of your child’s needs and your family’s requirements and short list 3 or 4 camps. Visit the camp if at all possible. If you find any reasons the camp does not fit your family, drop it. Discuss whether your child would like to go to a day or overnight camp. However, you should not force your child to take-up hobby classes or camp if your child is not interested. Check that the staff-to-child ratio and ask questions to director of camp or counselors to clear your doubts. When selecting a camp ask other parents, relatives or neighbor for recommendations. This can help you select a camp. If your child is too small for hobby classes or summer camps, you can try organizing your own summer camp in your apartment. There should be precaution steps to avoid accident and injuries to children in camp. In case of emergency, there must be a doctor or expert to take care of children.