How to Find the Right Coed Summer Camp?

How to Find the Right Coed Summer Camp

Camp Walt Whitman

Choosing the right coed summer camp for your child is a big decision. You want your child to be happy but you also want them to be safe. The two do not have to be mutually exclusive. The camp experience affects not only your child's summer, but yours as well. Here are four questions to keep in mind when you are searching for the right summer camp for everybody's comfort level.

Camp Danbee

1. Does the camp have a nurturing environment?

Ideally you want a camp that is a continuation of the nurturing environment you offer at home. Obviously part of going to camp is exploring independence. However, your child should be able to experiment within boundaries that are emotionally safe. How can you tell if a camp is the best emotional fit for your child?

· Inquire about the staff

When speaking with different camp offices, be sure to ask about each staff member's background and training. Find out whether the director has a bachelor's degree. How much experience does he/she have? Parents usually remember to ask about safety regulations and emergency plans. But also ask whether the staff is trained in behavior management and has had any classes in educational psychology.

· How are feelings handled?

Emotions can run high when a child is away from home. Ask how homesickness is handled. Bullying has become a major issue for children and young adults. Find out the camp's bullying policies. Children will also be attempting situations that fall outside of their comfort zones. What kind of support is given in those cases?

2. How are children grouped?

Each coed summer camp has its own way of matching children. Ask how cabin rosters are formed. Find out whether the children participate in every activity with their cabin mates or if they spend time with other groups of children too. Inquire as to whether children must sit with their cabin at meal times or if there is a chance to sit with other friends. Many times a camp will rotate different seating arrangements during meals.

3. What food is served at the camp?

Most parents are concerned about the nutritional value of the food served to their children at camp. In addition to ensuring that you child has a proper diet, you may also have personal concerns or requests. Does your child have special food needs? Some children can only eat food that is gluten-free. Others have allergies and must be careful about how food is prepared. Are there separate tables for children with peanut allergies?

4. What types of exciting activities are offered?

Camp should be the place where your child can be exposed to new and exciting activities safely. Find out which activities are offered and how often. Do the children keep the same schedule throughout the summer or is it broken up into blocks? Ask whether all activities are assigned or if there is some freedom to choose things that interest them. Also ask how camper safety is ensured during activities. Inquire about the health center and any medical staff on site.

Your child is sure to love going to coed summer camp. When you know you have found the perfect place then you will love it too.

Camp Walt Whitman, located in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, is the best coed summer camp available in New England. Boys and girls from elementary school to teens have the time of their lives every summer.