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Experiencing
Enrichment through Camp |
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How to
Find the Right Camp for your Child In the 150 years that camps have existed in
the United States, there have been opportunities for enrichment for
children. Selecting the right camp for your child can be a challenge
given the vast number of camps that exist. Selecting the right camp for your child can be even more
challenging when you have a child with special needs. There are a
variety of camps including general, adventure programs, specialty such as a
sports camp, academic, and therapeutic camps offering intensive summer
programming. For children with special needs, some families choose
mainstream camps, while other families select therapeutic camps.
Children with ADHD make up 20 percent of enrollment at some mainstream camps.[1] It is recommended that you may
consider a mainstream camp for a child with special needs if your child makes
friends easily and does well with unstructured times. Tips
for selecting a camp include investigating for a camp that has the presence
of: a highly trained staff, individual attention, social skills instruction,
enhanced medical services, academic support, and peer interactions.[2] Other recommendations from camp
directors include: making sure that the camp has experienced staff, camp staff
discuss camp activities opportunities with your child, that you meet camp
staff prior to attending camp, they have a low instructor-to-child ratio, and
for parents to examine safety credentials including that instructors have
first aid and CPR training.[3] Preparing and registering early
for discounts was also cited as helpful, as well as getting word-of-mouth
recommendations. Considering various options such as assistance with
afternoon childcare or transportation services may also make some additional
camps a possibility since these types of services can provide childcare or
transportation to or from camp if needed.[4] In addition, when specifically
looking for a therapeutic camp it is often beneficial to discuss your
specific child with camp staff prior to signing up to make sure that this
camp is the right fit for your child and that you feel confident in the
therapeutic model utilized by the camp. At Quest, we hope that you will consider
these tips helpful in selecting an enriching environment for your child over
the summer. "Unlike 150 years ago, today we have evidence-informed
data that illustrates, articulates, and demonstrates the legitimacy of the
camp experience as it relates to learning and development."[5] There is also clear evidence to
support the positive benefits of play. The American Academy of
Pediatrics has cited unstructured playtime as healthy for children and
essential for their development.[6] "It is absolutely
essential that children be afforded the opportunity to play to enhance their
physical, intellectual, and psychosocial development. Perhaps no entity
addresses this opportunity more effectively than the camp community...It is
often said that camps are in the 'child development' business. Perhaps,
a more apt description would be that camps are in the 'whole child
development' business. Play may serve as the underlying foundation of
that business."[7] Marla Coleman, past national
present of the American Camp Association, has specifically cited the power of
day camps since "children learn life skills and behaviors that become
habits of the heart."[8] [1] Hanlon, P. Get with the programs: social skills prep,
outdoor adventure, sharper academic skills-Choose the best kind of summer
camp for your child. Additude, Spring 2011, 54-58. [2] Hanlon, P. Get with the programs: social skills prep,
outdoor adventure, sharper academic skills-Choose the best kind of summer
camp for your child. Additude, Spring 2011, 54-58. [3] Eifler, E. Camp champ: 10 tips to set your child up for
summertime success. OC Family, March, 2010, 82-84 [4] Eifler, E. Camp champ: 10 tips to set your child up for
summertime success. OC Family, March, 2010, 82-84 [5] Smith, P., Navigating complexity to greater relevance,
Camping Magazine, Jan/Feb 2011. Volume 84, 1. P. 22, [6] Ginsburg, 2007; as cited in Bryant, C., A platform for
growth, Camping Magazine, Jan/Feb 2011. Volume 84, 1. [7] Bryant, C., A platform for growth, Camping Magazine,
Jan/Feb 2011. Volume 84, 1, pg. 28-31. [8] Coutellier, C. Years of adventures and challenges: The
history of day camp, Camping Magazine, Jan/Feb 2011. Volume 84, 1, pg. 44. |