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Summer Camp In Session--Plan Now For Next Year
By Peggy Middendorf

Thinking about sending your child to overnight camp but uncertain if he or she is ready? Since camps are already in session for this year, now is a great opportunity to begin exploring camp options and deciding if camp is right for you and your family. Not only is this a convenient time to visit camps, but as summer progresses, you just might catch your child in a bored moment, when he or she is open to planning for an exciting summer next year. A few simple steps will get you off to a great start:

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Sit down with your child and discuss the type of camp he or she might be interested in attending. There are many kinds of camps with both broad and narrow focuses, including art, music, sports, general, special education, computer, or science and nature.
Make a trip to observe a camp in which you child expresses or shows an interest. Most camps have a visiting day, and these are a great opportunity to introduce your child first-hand to the overnight camp experience while building his or her enthusiasm.
During your visit, talk to the camp director, staff and campers to get the feel of the camp. Walk around the facilities, including the sleeping quarters, dining hall, laundry, bathrooms to help your child get acquainted with the camp atmosphere.
If you are unable to visit several camps, collect brochures and watch videos from different facilities. Camp fairs, which are usually held in the early spring, are a great way to collect a lot of information on different camps all at one time.
Get information from the horses' mouths! Lots of older kids will be returning from camps this summer, and they are great resources to provide information and opinions on different camps.
Don't wait to long to start planning. Even though it seems extremely early, begin to weigh the possibilities for your son or daughter's trip to camp during the fall. Since most camps begin taking registrations in January or February (and the most popular camps fill up quickly) aim to have a decision by Christmas.

Peggy Middendorf is a parent of two and editor of a regional parenting magazine. Contact Peggy at middendorf@mindspring.com.