Summer break is almost here, and as parents, we just want to make sure our kids have fun and enjoy their time off. Summer camp is a great way to keep your kids busy over the summer, but it’s so much more than that! It’s a place where kids get to try new things, learn valuable skills, and create lifelong memories. With so many options out there, how do you choose the best fit for your child?
With summer camps, the only way to find the best fit for your family is to evaluate all of your choices. Website descriptions of summer camps are designed to sound fun and inviting, but to truly evaluate a summer camp, you need to dig a little deeper.
To gauge the quality of a summer camp in Rockville, MD, check online ratings and reviews from other parents. Pay close attention to how parents describe the camp, it’s counselors, and the overall atmosphere. Besides checking out online reviews, chat with your friends about what their kids have experienced.
Hearing what others have to say about a summer camp helps when you are trying to choose the best one. But what works great for one family might not be the right fit for your family. Your child’s likes and dislikes are crucial when looking for the perfect fit. So, start by jotting down the key features you want in a camp.
Counselors play a crucial role in making summer camp a fun and supportive environment for kids. Counselors are picked because they genuinely care about kids, respect them, and really take the time to listen to what they have to say. Their job is to ensure your kids are having a good time, meeting new people, trying all sorts of activities, and staying safe. To get the hang of what they need to do for campers, counselors put in a lot of work before camp actually starts.
Resident camps are a popular summer option, offering coed, boys-only, girls-only, and specialty programs. Resident camps offer different sleeping accommodations, such as cabins, tents, or a combination of the two. Many overnight camps have different programs available for kids, starting from the age of seven.
Day camp is a bit like a resident camp, but the differences allow kids to attend camp at a younger age. With a day camp, kids go home at the end of each day, so many programs accept children as young as four years old to attend.
Specialty camps offer kids the chance to take part in all sorts of fun activities, like learning to ride a horse, water skiing, or even dancing. If your child has a special interest, there’s probably a camp that focuses on it.
The great thing about summer camps is most families can find something they can afford. How much a summer camp costs depends on the camp you pick, the facilities they offer, and what your kids need. Although prices vary, the average daily cost for a resident camp is $85, while a day camp is $43. If the summer camp your child wishes to attend is just a little bit out of your budget, you can ask if they provide any kind of financial help for families.
Kids can hang out at camp for just a few days, a couple of weeks, or even the entire summer! One of the best things about summer camps is that they come in various lengths and price points, making it easy to find one that fits your family’s budget and schedule.
The activities offered during the day will vary depending on the type of summer camp in Rockville, MD, your child is attending. Some camps offer traditional camp activities like crafts, horseback riding, and swimming. Other camps, offer specific activities based on the age of the children attending.
Whether campers get to choose their activities depends on the camp your family picks out. Some camps plan out the whole day, giving you a chance to experience all the fun activities they offer. Luckily, those kinds of camps are few and far between. Most summer camps give kids the chance to make their own choices. Sometimes you are the one choosing what you want to do, and other times, the group comes together to decide what they want to do.
When you head to day camp, the excitement kicks off the moment the bus arrives! If you’re considering a resident camp, your kids will likely wake up with the other kids in your bunk, get dressed, and head to breakfast. Then they will spend the rest of the day participating in the various camp activities. About halfway through the day, there will be some kind of lunch break—from picnics to BBQs, summer camps can offer it all.
Day campers will leave on buses in the late afternoon and won’t return to camp until the next day. Resident campers will keep the good times rolling into the evening with some fun and exciting activities lined up. At camp, bedtime is when everyone gets to sit back and relax and share their favorite highlights from the day with their bunkmates and counselors.
Picking the right summer camp for your kid might seem overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. If you want to find the perfect fit for your child, include them in the decision-making process. Before looking at what the different camps offer, sit down with your child and talk about what they want to do while at camp. Once you know what kinds of activities you are looking for, you can start looking at what different camps offer.
Many camps have websites where you can view photos, maps, or even virtual tours of the place. They usually share sample daily schedules, menus, and information about the directors and key staff, too.
MCCA has been recognized by the Maryland State Legislature for its commitment to Montgomery County issued a quality programs and special needs child care Proclamation in 2016 to MCCA for its commitment to Montgomery County child care for more than 50 years. MCCA was also selected as a 2018 nonprofit finalist for a MOXIE Award for boldness and innovation
MCCA is the oldest nonprofit licensed child care provider in Montgomery County and started its work in 1968 as a Community Action Project of the War on Poverty. Recognizing the need for quality child care programs in their neighborhoods, a group of local activists formed an association to establish centers in Montgomery County that would serve a diverse population and establish high standards for child care. Now, more than 50 years later, MCCA’s dedicated and expertly trained staff continue their tradition of providing high quality child care and play-based education for children.
Families with school aged children who can afford their child care expenses during the school year often struggle to afford the all-day programs they need when school is out for the summer. The Richard Krampf Summer Adventures Scholarship Fund was established to help provide children a safe and stimulating place to spend their weeks when school is out. Please contact an MCCA Director for details on how to apply.
