The ice has just started to thaw but it’s already time to start thinking about camp! Summer camp is hands down one of the best childhood rites of passage gifting young people with new friends and experiences and parents with a few blessed hours of peace each day. But is it right for every child? How young is to young for camp and should you send the kids to one if you just relocated to a new city? Here are some frequently asked questions I get from parents trying to make the summer fun.
At what age should I consider sending my child to camp? How young is too young for camp?
It’s less about age and more about how well they separate from you. If your two-year-old has successfully separated, then a well-structured day camp might be a wonderful experience over the summer months. But if your little one has not been through the separation process, then a camp can be an overwhelming experience that sets them back. A shorter caregiver attended summer class that works towards separation may be more appropriate in that case.
My child has fully separated. What should I look for in a camp to give them the best possible experience?
No matter how well your little one has separated in the past, they may have a little trouble with the new schedule, friends and environment; so, look for a program that specializes in young campers. It’s all about the three C’s: Counselors, Curriculum, and Comfort.
Counselors: Camp staff need to be not only comfortable, but skilled, in working with small children. They should be able to handle everything from separation anxiety to potty training. This is vital.
Curriculum: Is the camp program basically expensive day care or will your child be engaged and challenged with interesting projects and exciting activities? A bored little one will not enjoy themselves.
Comfort: keep them close to home. Find a great program in your neighborhood in a facility that is made for the pre-K set. A high school gymnasium is going to feel big and scary while a preschool classroom will feel safe and familiar.
What are the benefits to attending camp for children this young?
Students who separated over the school year often regress and have difficulty going back to a separation schedule after a summer at home. A fun classroom environment over the summer, even with sporadic breaks for vacations, can help to remind them how much fun being away from you is! It’s also a great way for them to make new friends, learn to bond with new teachers (very important especially if they will have different teachers next year) and continue to develop all the other wonderful cognitive, social and physical skills that they built over the past school year!
We just relocated. Should I send my child to camp to help them adjust or will it be too much?
I wish there was a hard and fast rule on this but like so many things with parenting it really depends on the child. Age has little to do with it so go by personality.
Your eight-year-old introvert may be completely freaked out and need to stay close to home while they adjust. In that case try and set up play dates and mini adventures over the summer. Your five-year-old social butterfly will probably be super excited to make new friends and try new things. In that case send them to camp with love!
If you do decide camp is right for your kids, try and send them with children who will be in their class next year or who live in your building/neighborhood. Camp could be a great way for them to start establishing a social network and make the transition to school easier in September.
KEEP READING: Summer Camp Preview: Get Your UN On with Wild China & The Dewey Center
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