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Summer offers more than hot days and a break from school. You can make new friends, GARNER new experiences and become more independent. A great way to do all of these things is to head to camp! Whether you choose a sleep-away camp or a day camp, it's a great way to have a COOL summer!
There are camps of every kind available for kids and families these days. You might head to the mountains or the seaside, or you may stay close to home. You can choose a camp with a variety of activities, or you can  focus on developing your abilities in one area. There are many camps that specialize in working on a specific discipline or set of skills, such as athletics, the arts or academics.
Do you want to perfect your pirouettes, swim every day or work on your jump shot? Are you into arts and crafts, or would you like to get a leg up on a school subject for next year? Do you want different activities and new challenges to be part of your summer camp experience? Now is the time to find the right camp to make this a super summer!
Some Things Change, Some Stay the Same
Almost any activity under the sun (or in the shade) probably has a camp devoted to it. Nowadays, you can choose from space camp to karate camp and everything in between. Get out your pen and paper, because there's even a handwriting camp!
You can choose to attend the kind of traditional  camp where your parents and grandparents may have whiled away their summer days-like Friendly Pines in Prescott, Ariz., a sleep-away camp that has been welcoming summer campers since 1941.
"Camp hasn't changed very much. It's still very similar to how it was back in the '50s," says Kevin Nissen, co-director of Friendly Pines. "The kids haven't changed. They still like to ride horses; they still like to be in the forest," he says. "They love the same things."
Overnight Camp or Day Camp?
There are many things to think about when it's time to pick a camp. Ginger Pauley, the executive director of American Camp Association Southwest, says one important thing to decide is whether or not a child is ready to go away to camp.
"(Parents) have to consider their child's age and what they want to do," says Pauley. "If they have never been to a resident camp, or sleep-away camp, then they should probably start with a day camp."
Day  camps offer many great opportunities for fun and learning and let you sleep in your own bed at night. But if you're itching to spread your wings, then head to a sleep-away camp-it's the perfect place to grow, gain confidence and make lasting friendships.
"The biggest advantage to going away to camp is it is the first time that (kids) are on their own," says Nissen. "Things that we take for granted, they have to learn and figure out."
Routine responsibilities, like keeping your things organized without help from mom or dad, allow kids to develop a "sense of self-reliance, inner strength, and self-confidence," explains Nissen. "Plus, the friendships you make at camp.tend to be very powerful." Experiences shared by campers often forge long-lasting friendships, he contends.
Camp is a great place for friendship and personal growth, Pauley agrees. "At any camp there's the development of social skills. (Kids) have to learn to work together in groups." And most camps have areas where the child makes choices, leading to increased independence and self-esteem, she adds.
Not Too Far, Not Too Long
Pauley says kids who plan to attend a resident camp should have some experience being away from home without their parents-a visit to the grandparents or sleeping over with friends may do the trick.
It's a good idea for kids to take part in choosing a camp, according to Pauley. If a  child is enthusiastic about going to camp, he or she is more likely to have a great experience, she says. Kids also should be involved in preparations for their camp stay.
"Let them help," Pauley says. "Let them help pack the suitcase. Make them a part of it from the very beginning."
Pauley says the biggest mistake parents sometimes make is sending a child for too long when he or she is not ready. "Start slow," she says. "Start with a one-week camp unless the child is used to being away." Pauley also advises that first time campers may not want to travel too far from home. Consider a camp within driving distance as opposed to one across the country. That may be easier on kids and parents.
No Cell Phones?!? Write Home!
When a child goes away to camp, it may be mom and dad who worry more than the kid, according to Nissen.
"When I worked as a counselor back in the '70s, camp was four weeks long and kids went to camp for four weeks or eight weeks," says Nissen. "Now.kids go for one or two weeks. There's a lot more trepidation for parents on how well their kids will do at a sleep-away camp."
That reluctance to send kids to camp for long periods "started before cell phones and instant messaging, but those things accelerated it," Nissen notes. Parents who are used to having immediate access to their kids may have concerns, but traditional camps serve an  important role.
"Camp works best to teach campers self-reliance (and) self-confidence," Nissen says. "To do that you really have to make a break from (home)."
To keep in touch with parents, some camps will post pictures, and many encourage a weekly letter, according to Nissen and Pauley. But getting to know the camp director and staff is probably the best way for parents to ease any worries, says Pauley.
"Most camps usually have an open house day before camp," says Pauley. "You can walk through, ask questions.see what the camp looks like. They usually encourage parents to attend."
Whether you choose a sleep-away camp or a day camp, Pauley recommends that parents talk to the director, ask a lot of questions and get information about safety procedures. "Ask anything you would ask of a babysitter," she says. "You want to know everything about them."
Gearing Up
The American Camp Association offers accreditation to all types of camps. Pauley explains that accreditation is voluntary, not mandatory, so smaller camps and day camps may not seek it for practical reasons. The important thing for parents to do is to talk with the director or staff of any camp they are considering, urges Pauley.
You can find a list of accredited camps at these Web sites:
www.acacamps.org or www.CampParents.org The sites also offer tips on finding a camp, a planner to prepare for camp, advice on homesickness and more.
Kids, do some research, talk to your parents, and get ready to be a happy camper this summer!
Check out Boomer's Summer Camp Guide 2008
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Summer offers more than hot days and a break from school. You can make new friends, GARNER new experiences and become more independent. A great way to do all of these things is to head to camp! Whether you choose a sleep-away camp or a day camp, it's a great way to have a COOL summer!
There are camps of every kind available for kids and families these days. You might head to the mountains or the seaside, or you may stay close to home. You can choose a camp with a variety of activities, or you can focus on developing your abilities in one area. There are many camps that specialize in working on a specific discipline or set of skills, such as athletics, the arts or academics.
Do you want to perfect your pirouettes, swim every day or work on your jump shot? Are you into arts and crafts, or would you like to get a leg up on a school subject for next year? Do you want different activities and new challenges to be part of your summer camp experience? Now is the time to find the right camp to make this a super summer!
Some Things Change, Some Stay the Same
Almost any activity under the sun (or in the shade) probably has a camp devoted to it. Nowadays, you can choose from space camp to karate camp and everything in between. Get out your pen and paper, because there's even a handwriting camp!
You can choose to attend the kind of traditional camp where your parents and grandparents may have whiled away their summer days-like Friendly Pines in Prescott, Ariz., a sleep-away camp that has been welcoming summer campers since 1941.
"Camp hasn't changed very much. It's still very similar to how it was back in the '50s," says Kevin Nissen, co-director of Friendly Pines. "The kids haven't changed. They still like to ride horses; they still like to be in the forest," he says. "They love the same things."
Overnight Camp or Day Camp?
There are many things to think about when it's time to pick a camp. Ginger Pauley, the executive director of American Camp Association Southwest, says one important thing to decide is whether or not a child is ready to go away to camp.
"(Parents) have to consider their child's age and what they want to do," says Pauley. "If they have never been to a resident camp, or sleep-away camp, then they should probably start with a day camp."
Day camps offer many great opportunities for fun and learning and let you sleep in your own bed at night. But if you're itching to spread your wings, then head to a sleep-away camp-it's the perfect place to grow, gain confidence and make lasting friendships.
"The biggest advantage to going away to camp is it is the first time that (kids) are on their own," says Nissen. "Things that we take for granted, they have to learn and figure out."
Routine responsibilities, like keeping your things organized without help from mom or dad, allow kids to develop a "sense of self-reliance, inner strength, and self-confidence," explains Nissen. "Plus, the friendships you make at camp.tend to be very powerful." Experiences shared by campers often forge long-lasting friendships, he contends.
Camp is a great place for friendship and personal growth, Pauley agrees. "At any camp there's the development of social skills. (Kids) have to learn to work together in groups." And most camps have areas where the child makes choices, leading to increased independence and self-esteem, she adds.
Not Too Far, Not Too Long
Pauley says kids who plan to attend a resident camp should have some experience being away from home without their parents-a visit to the grandparents or sleeping over with friends may do the trick.
It's a good idea for kids to take part in choosing a camp, according to Pauley. If a child is enthusiastic about going to camp, he or she is more likely to have a great experience, she says. Kids also should be involved in preparations for their camp stay.
"Let them help," Pauley says. "Let them help pack the suitcase. Make them a part of it from the very beginning."
Pauley says the biggest mistake parents sometimes make is sending a child for too long when he or she is not ready. "Start slow," she says. "Start with a one-week camp unless the child is used to being away." Pauley also advises that first time campers may not want to travel too far from home. Consider a camp within driving distance as opposed to one across the country. That may be easier on kids and parents.
No Cell Phones?!? Write Home!
When a child goes away to camp, it may be mom and dad who worry more than the kid, according to Nissen.
"When I worked as a counselor back in the '70s, camp was four weeks long and kids went to camp for four weeks or eight weeks," says Nissen. "Now.kids go for one or two weeks. There's a lot more trepidation for parents on how well their kids will do at a sleep-away camp."
That reluctance to send kids to camp for long periods "started before cell phones and instant messaging, but those things accelerated it," Nissen notes. Parents who are used to having immediate access to their kids may have concerns, but traditional camps serve an important role.
"Camp works best to teach campers self-reliance (and) self-confidence," Nissen says. "To do that you really have to make a break from (home)."
To keep in touch with parents, some camps will post pictures, and many encourage a weekly letter, according to Nissen and Pauley. But getting to know the camp director and staff is probably the best way for parents to ease any worries, says Pauley.
"Most camps usually have an open house day before camp," says Pauley. "You can walk through, ask questions.see what the camp looks like. They usually encourage parents to attend."
Whether you choose a sleep-away camp or a day camp, Pauley recommends that parents talk to the director, ask a lot of questions and get information about safety procedures. "Ask anything you would ask of a babysitter," she says. "You want to know everything about them."
Gearing Up
The American Camp Association offers accreditation to all types of camps. Pauley explains that accreditation is voluntary, not mandatory, so smaller camps and day camps may not seek it for practical reasons. The important thing for parents to do is to talk with the director or staff of any camp they are considering, urges Pauley.
You can find a list of accredited camps at these Web sites:
www.acacamps.org or www.CampParents.org The sites also offer tips on finding a camp, a planner to prepare for camp, advice on homesickness and more.
Kids, do some research, talk to your parents, and get ready to be a happy camper this summer!
Check out Boomer's Summer Camp Guide 2008
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