Family Talk: Choosing A Camp

While we are still, technically, in the dead of winter, and my kids are , daily, it is around the time when many parents begin preparation for the summer, namely with summer camp.

Whether the kids are going to summer camp out of necessity of working parents, or for mere recreational activity during the 2 months away from school, summer camp is usually an exciting pastime that kids look forward to every year.

Last summer was the first time that my kids, 9 and (almost) 6, went to summer camp. My husband's and my prior work schedules, and family help, had always made it so that summer camp was not a necessity for us. With many programs costing more than what you'd pay in rent, and just about what your mortgage might be, that was something that we took advantage of.

With it being the first time my son and daughter were attending summer camp last year, I made sure to do as much research as possible, not only to compare rates, but to look at the length of time programs were running, their locations, the types of activities that were planned and the credentials of those actually running the programs, the counselors that were going to be with my kids for the total time they would be there.

Along with looking online, I made sure to speak to as many parents as I could. I value another trusted parent's opinion and love to hear their experiences when I am trying to make an informed decision on something that, to me, is very serious. Knowing that the days my kids were going to attend (they were on a rotating schedule and didn't attend every week, or the whole summer) they would be there for the entire day, it was extremely important that I knew my kids were going to recieve exemplary care while being engaged.

The thought that I was going to leave my kids there from the morning to the evening gave me an anxiety that may have been an overreaction on my part, but motivated me to find the best possible place nonetheless. I know some might think, "it's summer camp, any place will do," but I think there are many more parents out there like myself, who really want to make sure that they are making the right choice in a summer camp program, not only so that their kids are taken care of, safe and happy, but for a piece of mind while you (the parent) are at work, or just away from their kids.

After finding a program that looked to be the most trustworthy, safe, experienced and highly parent recommended, I signed my kids up and talked them through the schedule I had in place and what types of things they could expect while embarking on their new summer experience. My son was a little more open to the whole idea and excited about all the activities I had described to him, while my daughter seemed to be skeptical about the whole idea of having to be there for the whole day.

After just one day, they, and I, were more than happy with the staff and activities. Both of my kids couldn't stop talking about all they had done, and all that was planned for the remainder of the week.

Soothing my fears that my kids were going to be miserable (again my own overreation -- kids usually love summer camp), I was able to relax and go to work guilt and anxiety free, because I knew that not only were my kids in good hands, but they were having a blast.

Speaking to various parents, and doing my own research, I have to say that I was extemely happy with the program I had chosen, and will definitely be returning this year. For those of you that are thinking about summer camp programs, or need to find one for the first time this year, I suggest that you speak to parents first.

Talk to parents of your kid's classmates. Then talk to parents of your kid's dance class or basketball program. Other parents, just like yourself, will give you the details you want to know, without trying to sell you on something. Parents will let you know the good and the bad, giving you a great starting point to continue with your own research.