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Articles & AdviceSummer Camps 101 If you are considering enrolling a child in a summer camp for the first time, you could be overwhelmed with the choices out there. Here are some pointers to help you narrow down the field and determine which camp is ‘better’ for your child.
Whether you choose an Overnight camp or a Day Camp, there are choices within these genres. Some camps are general, offering all types of camp experiences – swimming, canoeing, nature activities, arts & crafts, sports etc… Some camps are very specialized - computer camps, basketball camps, CSI camps. Make sure you know what would best suit your child and if they do have a specific interest in a certain area, perhaps immersing them in a specialty program would help their development. Or perhaps you have a child very involved in specialty activities during the year and want them to widen their horizons, so choosing a camp that focuses on a more general experience would be more suitable.
Camps hold a special place in the development of children of all ages. They are places where children learn new things and develop self-confidence and independence. Many successful people attribute some of their success to their first years at camp, allowing them the confidence to try new things and meet new people. As a Camp Director, I welcome you to the camping world and I hope that your campers enjoy it as much as I always have!
© copyright 2008-2011. Sarah Dougald, Glenbrook Day Camp Not to be reprinted without written permission. |
First, you need to decide whether
a Day Camp experience or Overnight experience fits best for your child. Has your child had overnights away
from home yet – to a relative’s house, friend’s sleepover party or other experience? If
they have, than perhaps they are ready for a short stay away from home independently. There are some Overnight
camps in Ontario that have beginner sessions of 3 or 4 nights away from home for the first time camper. It is
a great length of time to experience the overnight camp benefits and you can give your child the opportunity
to be successful and you build on that success in years to come.
Once you
have narrowed the field – Day or Overnight, General or Specialty, now you have to wade into the Registration
process. Some camps start as soon as camp is over, so waiting until winter may limit availability. A
lot of Town sponsored programs open registration on a specific day and then space is limited after that. I
would encourage you to call the specific camp(s) directly to determine what their registration process is – lots
of camps now have easy on-line registration options making it easy to register in the evening from home. 
Look for the 
Written by Sarah
Dougald, Director of Glenbrook Day Camp in Stouffville. Glenbrook is a day camp adventure for girls
and boys aged 4 to 15, that blends nature, recreation and conventional farm activities. For more info visit:
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