The idea of a sleepaway summer camp can be tempting if you have a school-aged child. They get to experience camping activities on a mini vacation in a rustic or suburban environment, and you get to have a week or two in the summer to engage your own interests. However, if you're not used to these kinds of camps, you may not know the questions to ask in order to ensure that you choose a camp where your child will have fun while they're away from home. Use the questions below when looking for the right camp.

How Much Free Time Do Kids Have?

The lives of many kids are very busy these days. Some children have a strict schedule that consists of school, after school activities, homework, dinner, and bed. The summer should be a time when they have a bit more of an opportunity to explore their own interests. The act of going to a sleepaway camp should present the chance to engage in many structured activities that they wouldn't get a chance to do otherwise, but it is essential that your child will have some free time to talk with kids and choose their own activities. Some camps offer free hours where children get to select their own activity each day, while some other camps provide ample free time every day for kids to do whatever they want.

Does My Child Want to Go Here?

A visit to each camp is vital to the selection process, and you should bring your child along on every camp trip you make. It's important to know if your child can see themselves going to the camp and having fun. If they offer a lot of water activities, it's important to know whether your child would like that or whether they would prefer more indoor activities. They should feel comfortable with the shower and bathroom setup, as some camps have cabins with bathrooms inside each one, but some are old-fashioned and have specific bathhouses that your child will have to walk to during cool summer mornings or rainy nights.

If possible, visit during winter activities when the camp will be populated with kids and families who have gone through the summer camp experience. That way, your kid might make new friends and you can ask additional questions of the parents who have been in your shoes.

After asking the questions listed here, you should have a better idea of which camp would work best for everyone involved. Have talks within your family about which camp would be right, and keep talking with staff members at the camp you select so that you and your child are fully prepared for everything.

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