Selecting from the different types of Summer Camps
There are all kinds of overnight summer camps out there, each offering programs with difference emphases and specialties. It can be a real challenge for parents trying to find the right residential camp for their child. Here are a few tips for sorting out the different types of camps, the various forms of sleepaway summer camp available in the United States. Knowing these types is the ideal first step when researching camps.
1. Academic Camps: Some summer camps focus on providing academic challenges in different subjects of areas of interest. Science, Computers, Writing, Biology, Design, and Foreign Languages are some of the more popular options. These are great choices if your child truly enjoys working with a certain subject, if he or she will find it fun to spend a large portion of the day involved in this kind of study.
2. Art Camps: These camps are all about creativity! They focus on practicing and developing artistic skills, trying new techniques and learning from accomplished artists. Whether it be painting, ceramics, photography, drama, or music, these specialty camps can be just perfect if your child has a budding talent in a particular area. Kids love these kinds of camps because they are encouraged and praised for their accomplishments, and with that much time working on a particular art form their skills really do improve.
3. Adventure Camps: Spending time outdoors doing adventure activities is the perfect way to spend a few weeks each summer. For many children, these activities are especially exciting because they can't do them at home, they involve extended time outside, and offer amazing natural beauty. There are camps that dig deep into adventure activities, things like backpacking, rock climbing, mountain biking, whitewater kayaking, whitewater rafting, canoeing, sea kayaking, caving, hiking and camping. These camps gather togeher the special equipment, skilled instructors and offer children amazing experiences in the outdoors.
4. Sports Camps: Here the name of the game is improving your game! It can be basketball, soccer, softball, volleyball, field hockey, baseball, even lacrosse, but in all cases these special camps allow children to improve their skills in a particular sport. Often the instructors are college-level coaches and can sometimes be professional athletes. Being exposed to and coached by highly skilled athletes is a real inspiration for young aspiring athletes, so these special sports camps can be extraordinarily exciting for certain children. Of course, there's also the added benefit of being in really good physical condition at the end of camp!
5. Horse Camps: Some camps are designed to teach horseback riding and to improve the horsemanship knowledge of the campers attending. Whether it be English or Western riding techniques, these can are just perfect for the "horse crazy" child. He or she will learn from different instructors, experience different horses, and be exposed to all aspects of caring for horses. They will spend time both riding and helping others ride every day. Here too, it's amazing how much growth a child will experience over a couple of weeks in this kind of specialized environment.
6. Traditional Camps: Often single sex (girls only or boys only), these camps are great if your child wants to "try it all." They have a diverse program that allows kids to pick what they'd like to do at camp, and not be limited to one activity, subject or sport. Often the emphasis will be on trying new things and having carefree fun with friends. Without the distractions of the opposite sex, these camps allow children to relax and explore their abilities in many different ways. They are perfect for helping your child become more confident, independent and well rounded.
These are the major categories of overnight summer camps. Each offers unique advantages that will suit particular children. When they do match a child's personality and interests, they will all be fun. After all, that's what summer vacation should be: good fun.
1. Academic Camps: Some summer camps focus on providing academic challenges in different subjects of areas of interest. Science, Computers, Writing, Biology, Design, and Foreign Languages are some of the more popular options. These are great choices if your child truly enjoys working with a certain subject, if he or she will find it fun to spend a large portion of the day involved in this kind of study.
2. Art Camps: These camps are all about creativity! They focus on practicing and developing artistic skills, trying new techniques and learning from accomplished artists. Whether it be painting, ceramics, photography, drama, or music, these specialty camps can be just perfect if your child has a budding talent in a particular area. Kids love these kinds of camps because they are encouraged and praised for their accomplishments, and with that much time working on a particular art form their skills really do improve.
3. Adventure Camps: Spending time outdoors doing adventure activities is the perfect way to spend a few weeks each summer. For many children, these activities are especially exciting because they can't do them at home, they involve extended time outside, and offer amazing natural beauty. There are camps that dig deep into adventure activities, things like backpacking, rock climbing, mountain biking, whitewater kayaking, whitewater rafting, canoeing, sea kayaking, caving, hiking and camping. These camps gather togeher the special equipment, skilled instructors and offer children amazing experiences in the outdoors.
4. Sports Camps: Here the name of the game is improving your game! It can be basketball, soccer, softball, volleyball, field hockey, baseball, even lacrosse, but in all cases these special camps allow children to improve their skills in a particular sport. Often the instructors are college-level coaches and can sometimes be professional athletes. Being exposed to and coached by highly skilled athletes is a real inspiration for young aspiring athletes, so these special sports camps can be extraordinarily exciting for certain children. Of course, there's also the added benefit of being in really good physical condition at the end of camp!
5. Horse Camps: Some camps are designed to teach horseback riding and to improve the horsemanship knowledge of the campers attending. Whether it be English or Western riding techniques, these can are just perfect for the "horse crazy" child. He or she will learn from different instructors, experience different horses, and be exposed to all aspects of caring for horses. They will spend time both riding and helping others ride every day. Here too, it's amazing how much growth a child will experience over a couple of weeks in this kind of specialized environment.
6. Traditional Camps: Often single sex (girls only or boys only), these camps are great if your child wants to "try it all." They have a diverse program that allows kids to pick what they'd like to do at camp, and not be limited to one activity, subject or sport. Often the emphasis will be on trying new things and having carefree fun with friends. Without the distractions of the opposite sex, these camps allow children to relax and explore their abilities in many different ways. They are perfect for helping your child become more confident, independent and well rounded.
These are the major categories of overnight summer camps. Each offers unique advantages that will suit particular children. When they do match a child's personality and interests, they will all be fun. After all, that's what summer vacation should be: good fun.