In general, choosing a camp can be overwhelming, especially if this is your first time! Most parents who already send their children to a specific camp always send them to the same one year after year. Sometimes, depending on their child’s activities, parents will send their children to a new camp. Whether it’s your first time, or if you have been sending your child to camp for years and would like a change, let’s take a look at some tips to approach the camp selection process to make it as stress-free as possible.

Ask Your Peers
Take the time to ask around and use your network to inquire on where your child’s friends’ parents are sending their children to camp. Rita Chirinian is a working mom with two kids who did some research before choosing a camp for her daughter. “I chose a camp that seemed to have a good reputation, offered many options like science, dance, soccer, cooking, and other activities which my daughter is interested in. The main factors for me though were that the counselor to camper ratio was low, and that the campers stayed on campus the whole time,” she says. “As the kids get older and develop their special interests, I will probably pick camps based on their individual tastes, but for now a camp that offers many different options and activities makes me think that they just might develop a new passion or skill each year.”

Do the Research
Keep yourself informed by checking your emails and information letters regarding camp directories and themed camps. Keep an eye out for new activities or skill-building camps that can be an opportunity for your child to try new things. Ask parents with older children who have attended camp in the past year about their child’s experience at a specific camp, whether it was positive, or not, and whether they would like to attend again.

Selection Based on Your Criteria
Choosing a camp doesn’t have to be so stressful. Start by narrowing the selection down based on your criteria and what is considered important to you and your child. Most parents worry about camp safety and security with regards to counselor-camper ratios. Some parents with younger children worry about their children leaving the premises, therefore they may exclude camps that do outings. No matter what your criteria of selection is for camp, remember that all camps have to follow safety and security standards.