Winter is not too soon to start thinking about summer camp learning. With more than ten million children enrolling in summer camps each year, the American Camping Association encourages parents to start their search for a good fit early in the year when the choice of camps is greatest.
The sites below can help you decide whether your child's learniing for summer should include a summer camp experience. The sites can also help you identify high-quality camps.
- Disney’s Family offers several useful features to help you decide if your child is ready for summer camp. The site also includes lists of books for first-time campers.
- The American Camping Association offers a free directory of summer camps accredited by the ACA. Call (800) 362-2236 or visit ACA on the Web. The directory lists traditional day and resident camps, specialty camps (including family camps), and campgrounds.
To help your child make the most of the summer camp learning experience, keep his or her interests and needs in mind when choosing a summer camp. Here are some resources.
- The National Camp Association provides a guide on How to Choose a Summer Camp.
- The University of Michigan’s Dr. Edward Walton, a pediatric medicine specialist who studies camp health issues, says parents “need to make sure they’re comfortable entrusting organizers with their child’s health.” You can access his list of suggested questions to ask.
Choosing a summertime camp experience can be challenging for parents of children who require special needs activities. Here are some resources for special needs families.
- Special Needs Camps provides a list of camps for kids with Asperger's, muscular dystrophy, diabetes, AIDS, and more.
- LDOnline provides tips for families with children who have learning disabilities.