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My husband and I have owned a summer camp for 10 years.
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It can be stressful for parents to sign up for summer camps in January.
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Parents should consider their kids’ interests when choosing camps.
Many parents are already stressing about what they will endure in January and February: summer camp registrations. There’s no way around it; camp registration season is a headache.
My husband and I have owned and operated a summer day camp in Northern California for nearly 10 years. We have seen it all: campers forgetting their lunch on the kitchen counter, sibling arguments that start in the car and continue throughout the day, and protests about sharing camp materials.
What sticks out the most about each camp season is the stress parents experience: coordinating multiple camp schedules, arranging carpools, and facing unexpected hiccups that throw a wrench into your carefully planned logistics. Not every camp week will be smooth sailing, but there are ways to navigate the bumps in the road to ease your worries. Here is the advice I share with parents as a summer camp owner.
Determine what camp is a good fit for your child
An easy way to narrow down your camp choices is to first consider your child’s emotional and academic needs and favorite pastimes.
If your child is neurodivergent, for example, they may benefit from attending a camp that provides a high number of staff to camper ratio. If you want your child to focus on academics outside the classroom, there are STEM camps that offer programs that camouflage science and math as creative free play with peers.
Also, consider your child’s interests. Rather than signing up your sports enthusiast for a generalized sports camp, consider registering them for a specialized soccer, baseball, golf, or football camp.
Make a budget before signing up
Once you determine your child’s needs for the summer, outline your budget. Tuition for day camps can range from $250 to $700 a week. A camp with a large price tag doesn’t guarantee it will meet your camper’s needs. Many “parks and rec” camps and the YMCA offer a wide range of budget-friendly programs. Many families map out how many weeks of childcare they will need to help shape their budget. Many camp families will splurge on one or two specialized camps and use the remainder of their budget for more budget-friendly programs.
Eliminate the stress by checking what date and time each camp starts their registration — unfortunately, each camp tends to have different registration dates. Adding your camper to several waitlists will provide many options if your summer plans should change. Don’t be shy to ask camps about the status of their waitlists.
Build a morning routine to avoid meltdowns
Meltdowns are more likely to happen at the beginning of the camp session because each week presents a new environment and a group of unfamiliar faces. Familiarizing your child with what to expect at camp will help them feel more confident.
For example, contact your camp to ask who will manage sign-in at camp drop-off. Telling your camper, “Camp director Matt will be welcoming us today at drop-off,” or “You will be doing a science experiment before lunch today,” can help kids feel self-assured. To ease your guilt, remember campers usually bounce back from a meltdown five to 10 minutes after you leave.
A rushed morning routine can make campers feel anxious and stressed before a camp day — resulting in a meltdown at camp. Involve your camper in building your morning routine — for example, build a “camp lunch menu” with your child, have them prepare their backpack, or pick out their clothes the night before each camp day.
They won’t love every camp
Each camp has different logistics, teaching styles, and campers with various needs. These factors shape the vibe of each camp week. As much as camp staff prepare for the week, unknown factors that don’t present themselves until Monday morning can throw a wrench into camp plans.
Most of our 500 campers attend an average of five to eight camps over the summer. Expecting each camp week to be better than the previous one is setting yourself up for disappointment. The reality is that not every camp week will be amazing, and that’s okay.
If your child declares they’re bored by day one keep open communication with camp directors to share your questions and concerns. The first day of camp often involves many introductions to acquaint campers with camp staff, rules, and schedules. The activities outlined on a camp’s website take place throughout the week — to rule out a camp based on its Monday schedule is selling the camp short.
Camps are a wonderful opportunity for your child to explore and determine what pastimes they like and dislike — and, in turn, strengthen their natural abilities and positive qualities. Their character is built not by being in environments that cater to them but by challenging them.
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