It's time to think about signing kids up for summer camp, if you haven't already. Eve Eifler, of the Baltimore service Tips on Trips and Camps, has these pointers on "myths and facts" about camps for our Monday Consult. (Note: It's mostly about overnight camps, but some of her advice can apply to day camps, too):
Myth: "Overnight camp is only for the rich."
Fact: The truth is that there is a camp out there to fit every budget. And, if you plan ahead, you can take advantage of early enrollment discounts and financial aid. Applying early, it is possible to get a 20-50 percent discount off of camp tuition, based on need. Private camps tend to be more expensive, so contact camps run by your local county government or agencies like the Campfire Boys and Girls, the Jewish Federation, Boys Scouts and Girl Scouts, the Jewish Community Center, and the Salvation Army. Lastly, inquire about shorter sessions and discounts for multiple children from one family.
Myth: "Only I know what is best for my child."
Fact: It is tempting for us (especially if we are former campers) to re-create our own camp experience for our child. While the saying "Mother knows best" is true in most circumstances, some input from your child is the best approach when choosing a camp. Involving the child in the camp research may produce unexpected results. Maybe you think an all-boys camp is the best place for your son, but he may want the opportunity to make friends with girls in a relaxed setting. You may think your daughter wants to be at a camp that specializes in art and drama because that is what she enjoys, but maybe she wants to improve her tennis game this summer. Ask your child: do you want to build on your existing strengths and interests this summer or try something new? Be open to the unexpected!
Myth: "If I send my child to camp with a friend, it will make her more comfortable."
Fact: What outwardly seems to provide a safety net has its pitfalls. A friend can sometimes act as a barrier to your child's making new friends. All too often, one of the campers has a difficult time. The other child then feels responsible for the friend, which can be extremely burdensome. In addition, your child may choose his activities based upon his friends' interests, rather than his own. It is important to weigh the comfort of going with a friend with the possible drawbacks. If going with a friend is the only way your child will try camp, it might be worth it. Just prepare your child with possible scenarios and provide him with the problem-solving strategies.
Myth: "A specialty camp – rather than a traditional camp – is the best place for my child."
Fact: Specialty sports camps focus on teaching technical skills, not necessarily life skills. A child goes to this type of program to work on the skills for one sport (or for the art form, or for drama, etc.), rather than to be part of a community found in a traditional camp. Parents should not make the mistake of thinking a specialty camp will necessarily provide counselors to take care of a homesick child. The coaches and instructors are there to teach skills, not to help your child to make a friend. Therefore, I usually recommend younger kids attend these programs with a friend.
Myth: "A 1-week session is the best way to ease into an overnight camp experience."
Fact: Sometimes it is the parent who sets a child up for an overnight camping failure by offering things like "I will pick you up if you are unhappy," or "Let's just try this camp for one week to see how it goes." Kids need a chance to feel homesick and get through it with the help of counselors and individual coping mechanisms to feel successful about a camp experience. One week barely gives a child a chance to find their way around a camp, much less feel the tinge of missing Mom and Dad (or the family dog). A two to four week introductory session allows the child to be immersed in the daily routine of a new and safe place, build friendships that will carry over until the next summer, and feel the success of doing something totally on their own. Do the research right and feel comfortable with letting go!
Myth: "My son plays sports all year long, so I want to give him a break from the routine."
Fact: While it is a nice break for some kids to fish and hike at camp, others just want to play ball! I advise parents to look for a camp that can provide the sports that the child likes, plus some new challenges that the parents might want for their child. Summer sports are far different than sports during the school year. There is less of an emphasis on winning. A child who can't make the select baseball or soccer team at home may shine in a camp environment. There are no "helicopter parents" hovering over their kids or yelling on the sidelines. One camp director told me that at the beginning of each session, the campers focus much more heavily on the sports because this is how they are comfortable socializing. Yet, by the middle to end of the session, the kids are much more comfortable to take risks – both athletically and socially. Whether it is up to bat or on the boat, these camps hire counselors who serve as role models to teach qualities like good sportsmanship, teamwork, and learning to lose gracefully.
(Photo: Prospective campers and their families visit Camp Milldale in Reisterstown. Here, camp director Dori Zvili talks about water activities with the lake behind her. By Baltimore Sun photographer Barbara Haddock Taylor.)