Even though we’re still crunching through snow covered sidewalks and enjoying winter activities in Northeast Ohio, summer break will be on the horizon before we know it. Now is the time to start thinking about summer camp options for your child. Starting your search now will help you (and your child) decide on the best fit, plan your budget and get the best price, make accommodations and more.
1. Evaluate your child’s interests and hobbies. A lot can change in a year. Did your child start a new sport or extracurricular that they’d like to spend more time on this summer? Maybe a specialized camp is the right fit this year. Your child is another year older, so maybe they meet an age or grade level requirement for a camp they showed interest in. Start the conversation with your child now to begin your search.
2. Make sure it’s the right fit. Looking at camps now will give you plenty of time to learn all about the camp and what it offers. You can read reviews, talk to other parents who have had children attend the camp and make sure it’s the best fit for your child. A few important questions you may want to ask are:
What is the ratio of adult supervision to children enrolled and how are children grouped together?
What type of training and education does the camp staff have that makes them suited to work with young children?
What is the schedule of the camp and what is a typical day like?
3. Special requests or accommodations. If you’re interested in a camp but not sure if they would be able to manage your child’s special needs, allergies, dietary restrictions, religious practices, etc., this would be a good time to reach out and see if they can accommodate. Giving the camp proper notice allows them to make adjustments to be inclusive.
4. Early bird pricing. You know the “early bird gets the worm” and the early registrations usually get the best price. Take advantage of early deals, coupon codes and special offers. Sign up for camp emails, follow their social media accounts and reach out to them directly to stay in the loop about pricing and deals.
5. Grab your spot while it’s available. Once you have decided on the camps you’re interested in, make sure you know when registration begins. Some camps, especially specialized camps, will sell out quickly. There’s usually a limited number of spots available and once those are full, there might be a waitlist and no guarantee that your child will be able to attend.
6. Financing and payment. Camp can be costly. Looking at the price of camp now can give your family time to plan financially. Camps may offer payment plans, financial aid or scholarships to help with the cost. Check with the camp to see what their financing options are and if you’re eligible for aid.
7. Get paperwork and forms completed early. Summer camps will require some paperwork such as medical forms, emergency contact information, pick up/drop off information, dietary and allergy information, etc. Some camps may also require a physical and copies of your child’s immunization records before they can attend.
8. Coordinate with other families. If your child is interested in attending camp with relatives or friends, it’s best to coordinate early. Maybe it makes sense so you can carpool together, or just having a sense of comfort knowing there’s another familiar face there. If your child is attending with a buddy, make the camp aware as soon as possible so they can make sure your children have the proper accommodations together.
