Give your child the gift of a lifetime and consider summer camp

Frigid temps got you down? Think summer! Camp, that is. Many
parents wonder what kind of opportunities are available for their kids to
expand their horizons, make new friends, sharpen their skills, or pursue
interests they don’t have time for during the school year.  Parents may also be looking to build their
child's leadership, teamwork and innovative thinking skills via camp. On Saturday February 1, 2014 from 1-3:30 pm
(Snow date is Feb. 2, 2014) at the Darien High School cafeteria (80 High School
Lane, Darien, CT), there is a free camp fair for kids ages 6 to 18. This event
is a chance to gather information about specialized summer opportunities. There
will be a wide selection of overnight camp and program options. Come learn
about traditional and specialty camps, community service opportunities,
language immersion programs, outdoor adventures, teen travel tours, academic
enrichment, internships and more.

If you can’t make it to the camp fair, The American Camping Association, www.acacamps.org,
is a trusted resource for finding camps and helping to choose the right camp
for your child. “ There are thousands of camps in the United States,” says Louise
Fritts Johnson of Darien CT. Johnson is the Camp Director of Camp Arcadia (www.camparcadia.com) in Casco, ME, which
has been in her family for almost 99 years. 
Johnson recommends, “Look for a camp that is accredited by the ACA,
which was developed to ensure the safety and well-being of campers and
counselors. Camps that are ACA-accredited are evaluated every three years. They
are required to answer about 300 questions relating to safety, training of
staff, ratios, water temperature, and more.”

It’s also smart, says Johnson, to ask
other parents with slightly older kids about their families’ experience with
camps. Keep a list of the camps that keep coming up with positive and negative
reviews.  It also helps to watch the
promotional videos that most camps have on their websites, Johnson adds.

The next step is to speak with the
director of the camps. Ask the same questions to each and see how you feel.
Some possible questions: Average return rate of campers? Describe a typical
camper at your camp? How many campers per lodge? How many counselors? How
old are the oldest campers? What kind of communication can families have with
their child during the summer? Can you walk me through a typical day? How do
you deal with kids who are having a hard time? What length season is available
for first time campers and return campers?

Finally, ask the
Director for names and contact information of families in your area that have
attended. Then watch the selected camps’ videos with your child. As your child
watches, look at his or her face. “You will see in their expression if he or
she is ready,” says Johnson. If you think your child can only handle a week,
several camps provide that option. Camp Arcadia is almost booked up for
Summer 2014, but there’s room in their one-week program for girls ages 7 to 13,
who are new to camp life, during third week of August.

If this summer is too soon to send
your child to camp, Johnson recommends planning a trip to the camps that made
your final list. “You’ll
get a great understanding of camp in action. 
What you don’t want to do is bring your child to a facility that is
closed down until next spring.” However hard it might be to drop your child off
at camp one summer, keep in mind that Johnson says, “A good camp can be the
greatest gift you give your child.”

However tearful your goodbye might
be, a
good camp is a child’s heaven, reminds Johnson. “Giving your child the gift
of a sleep away experience is one of the greatest gifts you can give your
child.”