Spending a Summer at Camp

Parents face a particularly difficult decision every spring: what should we do with the kids over summer break? Local childcare on weekdays is one option; however, childcare costs can vary widely, especially when you have to multiply the cost by the number of children. Even if you do find a reasonably priced caregiver to watch the kids, how will you ensure that this is a summer they'll remember? Many families choose a different option and watch their kids light up at the mention of it: summer camp.

Adventures at camp have been immortalized in movies, in books, and in song. Today, there are as many types of camps as there are kids' needs and interests. Parents can find camps that cater especially to kids with special needs, kids who love soccer, dance, swimming, or other sports, or kids who love science and even the adventure of space travel.

There are summer art camps, camps for only boys or girls, camps especially for losing weight and getting fit, and religiously affiliated camps. Camps can last as little as one week and as many as eight weeks or more. Camps can be found in forested areas, deserts, seaside, or even in urban areas, locally or abroad.

Initially, families may be wary of summer camp due to its high cost, which can run upwards of $ 150 per week. When compared to the price of daily childcare, though, including food, transportation, and other costs, the price of summer camp may not seem so high anymore. This may be especially true when considering the priceless benefits of giving the parents some time off from their kids (and vice versa, perhaps).

So how exactly will kids benefit from a summer spent at camp? First, camp gives kids the opportunity to make new, lifelong friends outside of school. Kids at camp can easily make friends that share their interests without the school cliques to get in the way. These relationships can become even stronger if the same camp becomes a yearly tradition. Second, camps that offer kids exposure to a wide variety of new activities and experiences can help them discover new talents or interests. This may be especially important for those kids who would have otherwise spent their summer in front of the computer or playing video games. Third, spending time away from home and family can have a big impact on a child or teen's maturity. When kids have to cope with loneliness and homesickness for the first time, not to mention communal bathrooms and camp food, they can come home with a totally new perspective on their home life.

Summers spent at camp often become rites of passage for many kids and teens, teaching them independence and maturity while exposing them to new experiences and adventures. Today, parents have a wide variety of camps to choose from to appeal to any kid. Parents who want their children to spend their summers in meaningful, beneficial ways have many options when it comes to summer camps.