Are
you in the process of sending your kid to a summer camp, but finding it
difficult to choose from the various options available? Well, you’re not the
only one! Every year, a lot of parents go through this same dilemma and often
end up delivering an average summer camp experience to their child.
The
key is to avoid cashing into camp’s perceived image and advertising, and check
whether the camp will match your kid's schedule, skills set, age, personality,
and interests. In addition to that, make sure that the camp is run in an
appropriate and safe manner. If you have already shortlisted a few camps on
this basis, here are a few more points that can help you to choose the best
summer camp for your child:
Check
whether the camp is accredited to American Camp Association (ACA), to ensure
that it complies with the set industry guidelines for camper safety, health,
and conduct of important practices pertaining to the camp's programs.
Look
into the camp’s overall program focus and its philosophy. Some camps make their
campers follow a structured program, while some give them liberty to choose
from different activities that interest them. Some camps promote competition
among the campers, while some intentionally refrain from it. Accordingly,
choose the camp that satisfies your child’s needs.
Determine
the camper to counselor ratio. ACA recommends a maximum ratio of 8:1 for 6 to 8
year old kids. A 10:1 ratio is ideal for kids aged 9 to 14, while 12:1 ratio
is ideal for 15 to 17 year olds. A lower camper to counselor ratio helps
the counselors to focus individually on each camper.
Check
the credentials of the camp staff, right from the top. As per standards laid
down by ACA, the camp director should ideally be a bachelor's degree holder
with extensive camp administration experience. If possible, meet the director
and staff in person and ask questions about how the camp practices discipline
and fair play? Dig deep into how rules are enforced at the camp and if there
are policies of encouragement? And most importantly, if your child has special
needs, make sure that they can be accommodated.
Lastly,
check out the camp's references from other parents and past campers by meeting
them in person or at least through a phone call, to double check camp’s reputation
and track record. Additionally, look into websites that provide camp reviews by
parents and former campers.
If
you are about to finalize a summer camp for your kid, it’s advisable that you
also look into the credentials of Swift Nature Camp, as it fulfils all the above
criteria. The camp directors at SNC themselves facilitate parents with
references to double check camp’s reputation and track record.
The International Campers seeking help with language development benefit from SNC’s English Immersion Program, which improves their English proficiency through direct contact with the language. When they participate in activities like sailing, cooking, arts and crafts, they interact with various native English speakers and learn the language in the best way possible.
The International Campers seeking help with language development benefit from SNC’s English Immersion Program, which improves their English proficiency through direct contact with the language. When they participate in activities like sailing, cooking, arts and crafts, they interact with various native English speakers and learn the language in the best way possible.
The
high satisfaction rate of this summer camp can be determined from the very fact
that more than 90% of the campers wish to visit this camp next time. What’s
more, you can register right now to win a free camp session at http://swiftnaturecamp.com.
