Does the mention of summer camp conjure up idyllic images of rustic cabins by a mountain lake and making s’mores around a campfire? Well, it may have been that simple once, but today’s summer camps go beyond the traditional model of the past — way beyond — to the point where the sheer variety of camp options can make a parent’s head spin. Add learning disabilities or AD/HD into the mix, and suddenly choosing a summer program for your child goes from stressful to seemingly impossible.The task of selecting the right camp doesn’t have to be unmanageable, though. With the help of pointers in this article, thoughtfulness, and family conversations, you can pare the selection down to the camp that’s just right for your child.
Specialty Camp or General Program: Narrowing the SelectionWhen you start investigating camp options, you’ll find programs that range from the traditional (à la crafts, canoes, and campfires) to the academic (reading, math, or science) to the adventurous (think mountain trekking, astronaut training, and scuba diving). There are camps for sports or learning a new language, community-service camps, day camps, and sleep-away camps. There are also camps specifically for children with learning disabilities or AD/HD.
To narrow down the selection, think about what you hope your child will get out of attending a camp. Is maintaining or gaining academic skills paramount? Building confidence in social situations? Do you want your child to break away from the rigors of school and focus on activities he or she loves or exploring new ones? Ask children what they think would be the most fun and talk about how LD or AD/HD might influence the choice.
Consider Your Child’s Age and PersonalityYou know your child’s strengths, and you know where he or she lacks confidence. Think about situations where your child thrives or struggles. These factors, along with age, maturity, and social development should play into the type of camp and camp program that you choose.
Elementary School
The wide array of camp programs available for grade school-age kids means that even younger students can break out of routines and try new things with new friends. Choosing the right camp structure can be challenging, though. Think seriously about your child’s personality. Factors such as how many activities are in a typical day and how hands-on the supervision and instruction are should be matched with how well your child handles change and his or her preferred level of autonomy.Another choice that merits careful consideration at this age is sleep-away camp versus day programs. Some sleepover camps will accept children as young as seven, but many children aren’t ready for that step until age 11 or 12. All camp programs, day or overnight, allow your child to leave a familiar environment, integrate into new surroundings, and try new experiences. For many younger kids, a few hours a day at camp is just enough to expand their horizons without overwhelming them.
Middle School
Children in middle school are starting to assert their independence from their parents, making this an ideal age for summer camp. The variety of camp options for this age group is vast, but the choice will still boil down to traditional, academic, or programs focused on a specific activity. Camp can be a great opportunity for your child to set school aside for a few weeks and try some new activities with peers.As part of their growing independence, “tweens” place great importance on friends and social circles. Because of this, your child’s personality and social skills should factor heavily into camp selection: Is he a leader or a follower? Does he interact best in large or small group settings? Does he make friends easily or need encouragement? Try to match your child’s traits with the camp structure and philosophy. And because children in their early teens tend to worry about logistical aspects of new experiences, take advantage of open houses or any opportunity to visit and become familiar with the camp ahead of time.
High School
By high school, your teen likely has one or two strong interests, whether academic, athletic, or extracurricular. Summer camp can be an opportunity to explore an interest in depth. If your child is fascinated with flying, a camp with an aviation focus could be ideal; likewise, a budding chef may want to attend summer camp.Some summer programs offer a chance for your student to get a taste of college. Many two-year and four-year colleges offer college-level courses for high school students, often with transferable credit. On perhaps summer camp is simply the time for your teen to step away from the rigors of academics and college preparation for some well-deserved time off enjoying outdoor adventures.
Making the Final Choice
Now it’s time to narrow your choice of camps to a manageable level. Contact the top options to start gathering more detailed information. Use the questions below as a guideline, and don’t hesitate to ask for references from past campers. When you’ve made the final choice, you’ll know that you’ve considered all the important elements necessary for your child to flourish. Then all that’s left is summer fun and a lifetime of memories.Questions to Ask When Evaluating Summer CampsFinding a summer camp that fits both you and your child means looking beyond location, cost, and session dates. These questions will guide you in selecting just the right program. In your conversations with camp staff, be upfront about your child’s learning disability and ask questions about their experience with campers with LD. We’ve provided some questions to get the conversation started and help your child think about what he or she wants from a summer camp.
Camp Overview
Understanding the camp’s mission will help determine if their philosophy is compatible with your family’s.
- What is the philosophy or emphasis of the program? How is this philosophy integrated into program activities?
- Is the program accredited? What are the accreditation process and standards?
- What kind of child is typically successful at this camp?
- What do you hope campers will learn or take away from their time at camp?
- What percentage of campers return each year?
- Is there an open house or other way to visit the camp before committing?
Camp Staff
Learn about the ages, education, training, and background of the people who will be working with your child.
- What is the background of the camp director?
- How is camp staff screened and hired?
- What is the composition of the rest of the staff?
- What training is required for staff? Is training annual? Ongoing?
- How long has the average staff member worked at the camp?
- What is the staff-to-camper ratio?
Camp Program
Make sure that the camp’s program matches your child’s interests and personality.
- What activities are available?
- What is the schedule like? Is it highly structured or do campers have a lot of free choice?
- Is the camp experienced with campers with learning disabilities or AD/HD? How do they handle children with special needs?
Camp Safety and Health
Ask questions about how the camp handles the unexpected — from bad weather to illness or accidents.
- What emergency preparedness procedures are in place?
- What medical care is available on site? How are medical emergencies handled?
- Is the camp inspected each summer by the Department of Health?
Camper Behavior and Discipline
Find out how the camp handles challenges with camper conduct.
- What behavioral techniques or philosophies are used?
- How are disciplinary problems handled?
- How are adjustment issues managed?
Questions for Your Child to Think About
Discuss the following questions with your child:
- Do I want a camp that focuses on a specific skill or activity?
- What activities must the camp have?
- Do I want to go to a summer program that’s specially designed for kids like me (with learning disabilities or AD/HD) or a mainstream camp?
- Do I want a day camp or sleep-away program?
- How far from home do I feel comfortable going?
- How long do I want the camp program to last? A week or two? The entire summer?
- Do I prefer a large camp with many other kids or is a smaller group program right for me?
- Do I prefer a co-ed program or just boys/just girls?
- Do I want a camp where the activities are planned out each day or one where I have lots of freedom to choose what to do?
For more information, check out the National Camp Association.
Nancy Firchow is a freelance writer and research librarian. She specializes in learning disability topics and has worked closely with parents at the Schwab Foundation for Learning.
