Virginia Parent Information and Resource Center
Find a Summer Camp That Your Child Will Enjoy
VPIRC Staff
Attention parents! Now is the time to start thinking about summer camp for your
children. If you haven't gotten started yet, don't delay; the camps are quickly
filling up for summer 2001. With so many types of camps to choose from in Virginia
and other surrounding states, a choice may be hard to make, but here are some
helpful tips to help you get started and make sure that your child is enrolled
in a camp of your choice this summer.
TYPES OF CAMP
Day Camp. Offers a variety of programs, from sports, art, academics, weight
loss and more. Ages range from 5 to 15 years. These camps usually offer meals,
although some require parents to provide a bag lunch. Parental drop-off and
pick-up is often required, while others offer transportation by bus or van.
Camp hours are usually from 8:00am to 4:00pm. Many day camps are sponsored by
Virginia’s Parks and Recreation Department, the YMCA or YWCA, and local Boys
and Girls Club chapters, and are often very reasonably priced so be sure to
investigate those as well.
Resident Camp. Children stay overnight at a campsite for anywhere from 5 days to 8 weeks. Campers sleep in cabins, tents, and teepees, or in a dormitory-like setting. The camp provides meals.
Travel/Trip Camp. Participants in trip camps travel from different campsites by hiking, horseback, canoes, or other means. Campers stay in national or state parks or other outdoor facilities.
Persons with Disabilities. These camps provide special services for children
with special needs.
Sports Camps. Sports offered are usually basketball, soccer, baseball, gymnastics,
or field hockey, among others, and they help to improve the camper’s athletic
abilities as well as encourage teamwork and a positive attitude.
COST
Depending on the type of camp you choose, fees can range from $75.00 -$350.00
per week.
CAMP SUPERVISION/PHILOSOPHY
Find out what the camper to counselor ratio will be.
Be sure to ask how will disciplinary and other problems be handled.
Check to see if the camp is co-ed or single sex.
DIETARY AND MEDICAL NEEDS
If your child has special dietary needs, will they be met?
Does your child have allergies?
Will a doctor or registered nurse administer medication to your child if needed?
LOCATION
Is the camp location convenient to visit your child?
What are the emergency procedures?
Most of all it is important to remember that camp is a place for children to
participate in a world of
activities and grow and learn. Include your children in the decision-making
process. By working together, you and your child can find a camp experience
that will be remembered for a lifetime.
For more information about camps, log on to:
www.vasc.org (Virginia Air and Space)
www.funforkids.virginia.cc
www.summer-camps.virginia.cc
www.summersolutions.com
www.washingtonfamilies.com