10 Brooklyn Paper • www.BrooklynPaper.com • (718) 260-2500 February 21–27, 2020
Adults often look back
fondly on their childhood
experiences at summer
camp. Camps can provide the
opportunity to form lifelong
friendships and discover rewarding
hobbies that can enrich
campers’ lives for decades
to come.
Choosing a summer camp is
no small task, as the options at
families’ disposal range from
overnight camps to weekday
afternoon camps to camps that
specialize in certain programs,
such as music or dance. Cost
also is likely to factor into families’
decisions, as the American
Camp Association notes
that cost can vary greatly depending
on which camp families
choose. For example, the
ACA notes that the average
daily fee at a resident camp is
$85, while the same fee at a day
camp is $43.
When looking for a summer
camp for kids, families
should make the decision together.
Kids should be involved
in the selection process,
as they’re more likely
to have an enjoyable camp
experience if they had a say
in where they will be spending
their summers. The following
are some factors families
should consider as they look
for summer camps, courtesy
of the ACA.
KIDS’ INTERESTS
The ACA urges parents to
consider the child’s interests
and personality before choosing
a summer camp. Parents
might want their children
to attend the same summer
camp they visited as youngsters,
but each child is different.
Just because mom and
dad liked a particular camp
does not mean their children
will. The ACA notes that summer
camps should align with
children’s interests and maturity
level.
LOCALE
Locale may only be a consideration
for families considering
overnight camps.
Kids will likely be familiar
with the locations of local
day camps, but overnight
camps might be set in mountain
ranges, near the ocean
or environments less familiar
to youngsters. Kids who
love the ocean might benefit
from oceanfront camps
that focus on marine biology,
boating or other activities
involving the water. In
the same vein, youngsters
who like camping and hiking
might be more likely to
embrace camps located in
mountainous regions.
SESSION LENGTH
Camps may last as little as
one week or up to a couple of
months. Session length should
be considered by families looking
at both local day camps and
overnight resident camps. Parents
who want their children to
enjoy a largely schedule-free
summer might not want to commit
their children to lengthy
camp sessions, even if those
sessions are close to home. If
parents think their children can
benefit from the same structure
they’re accustomed to during
the school year, then an overnight
camp that stretches for
several weeks might be what
they’re looking for.
Summer camps give kids a
chance to make memories that
will last a lifetime. Choosing
the right camp is an important
decision that parents and kids
should make together.
Five reasons why camp is a good choice
Social. Active. Engaged.
Traditional Camp
Circus Camp
Sports Academy
On Wheels Travel Camp
Leadership Experience
for Teens
School Break Camp
718.788.7732
www.parkslopedaycamp.com
DANCE WITH BOLD ARTS
MAKE AN ORIGNAL DANCE SHOW THIS SUMMER
DANCE. SING. CREATE.
Ages 4-14
Learn more at BOLD-Arts.com
New Carroll Gardens camp location this summer
EARLY BIRD RATES END MARCH 15
CAMP GUIDE
Questions when choosing a camp
Summer vacation offers students
a respite from lessons
and the routine of
school. Children might once
have eagerly awaited those final
days of classes so they could
lounge poolside, skip rocks
across ponds and spend the
long days of the season playing
with friends. But many of
today’s youngsters spend much
of their summer vacations indoors
playing with their digital
devices.
Perhaps that’s why one of
the last vestiges of the classic
summer vacation escape
— summer camp — remains
such a viable option for parents
who want their children
to get outdoors once the school
year ends.
Although kids needn’t be
in camp all summer long, a
week or two can benefit campers
of all ages. The following
are five reasons why summer
camp might be the right
fit this year.
1. Explore talents. Summer
camps help young people
explore their unique interests
and talents. Under an
organized, yet often easygoing,
camp schedule, kids can dabble
in sports, arts and crafts,
leadership, community support,
and so many other activities
that may not be fully
available to them elsewhere.
2. Physical activity: Lots
of camps build their itineraries
around physical activities that
takes place outdoors. Campers
may spend their time swimming,
running, hiking, playing
sports, climbing, and so much
more. This can be a welcome
change for kids accustomed
to living sedentary lifestyles.
Regular physical activity has
many health benefits and can
set a foundation for healthy
habits as an adult.
3. Gain confidence. Day
and sleepaway camps offer
campers the opportunity to
get comfortable in their own
skin. Camps can foster activities
in self-esteem by removing
the academic measures of
success and fill in with noncompetitive
opportunities to
succeed.
4. Try new things. Camp
gives children the chance to
try new things, whether that’s
learning to cook, exploring new
environments or embracing a
new sport or leisure activity.
Opening oneself up to new opportunities
can build character
and prove enlightening for
children.
5. Make new friends.
Camp is a great place to meet
new people and make lifelong
friends. Campers flood in from
areas near and far. This provides
kids with a chance to expand
their social circles beyond
their immediate neighborhoods
and schools.
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