Fishing Frenzy

So your Thinking of sending your child toOvernight Summer Camp? It is a big decision faced by parents each and every summer. This year is no exception.

Summer is so much closer than you might think and with it the question of what camp to select for your kids. It's a question not to be taken lightly. Most agree camp should include: a safe place, with caring staff and be Fun, but there's much much more.

Each year 10,000 kids go to summer camp, But camp is no longer the traditional Overnight camp. No, it includes all summer opportunities ranging from day camps to residential camps, specialized, church, private and public camps a decision can be no easy task.

Know your child, know the camp and know yourself will help in making sure your child has a wonderful time at camp. Be sure t first take your child's personality and preferences into account. Now is not the time to force a specialized camp, specially for the first time. Is your child shy or outgoing? Athletic or academic? Independent enough for sleep-away camp or not quite ready to leave home? "Knowing your child and match a camp to their needs, provide a much higher chance for achievement,'' says Lonnie Lorenz, director of Swift Nature Camp, a traditional, noncompetitive, summer camp for boys and girls ages 6-15 specializing in nature and the environment.

An important consideration is whether your child would be better off in a more general program like a traditional overnight camp or a more specialized program that focuses particular skills like performing arts, technology, music, sports or academics.

Maybe your child is not quite ready to leave home so a day camp might be the way to go. Children do go to overnight camp as early as 6 but most common is to be 9 or 10. "If your child still not showing signs sometimes you just have to say ready or not you have to give them loads of encouragement and send them off,'' says Lonnie.

Now you have a good idea as to what type of camp will best serve your child, now how do find one? The internet is amazing! Much research can be on the web. But do not stop there, call references, get brochures. and when possible visit the camp. This may require scouting out camps a summer in advance

Lonnie suggests that "Parents talk with camp directors to ensure their rules, routines and procedures are an extension of what's followed in their home". "You want to feel comfortable with the folks your handing your kids over to." Also consider: child-to-staff ratio, the daily routine and how the staff deals with new campers,homesickness, problems, food allergies Lorenz said.

Picking the right camp is often not as difficult as paying for it. Camp can range from $225 per week for a church camp to $1000 a week for a private camp. Be sure t realize that not all camps are created equally. Having said that even the best of camps are offering payment plans, financial aid, sibling discounts, scholarships and other assistance so be sure to ask.

"Independence that's the goal of raising children. Yet, often it's the parents who have the hardest time letting go '' Lorenz said. " We have seen it all to often where parents limit their children's growth''

When your child comes home you will hear the stories about all the accomplishment and fun but what you see is that they've leaned to grow in their appreciation of themselves and their appreciation of others.

Picking a Summer Camp See www.SummerCampAdvice.com