Day Camps
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Benefits: A summer camp experience gives a child a lifetime of memories. When a child attends summer camp it expands learning opportunities from learning to take “healthy” risks under supervision, teaches independence, improves self-esteem, develops peer and social relationships, and an opportunity to learn and apply new skills.
The Differences of Residential and Day Summer Camps: The traditional residential camp is an overnight camp that ranges in length from one-week, two to four-weeks, and eight weeks. Summer day camps provide a similar opportunity so the child can experience camp closer to home. Day camps offer a wide range of programming and activities from sports (gymnastics, ice skating, dance, riding, etc.), science, art, education, health, wilderness training, leadership skill development, and disability related.
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Safety at Summer Camp & Child Abuse Reporting: When dropping your child off at summer camp, even summer day camp, is just like dropping them off at day care or school. It is important that you as the parent make sure these camps are meeting state requirements to ensure that your child is in a safe environment, both physically and emotionally. It is unfortunate that every year children are sexually abused at summer camp. It is no different that throughout the school year or when your child is at church camp, school or family. As a parent or caregiver, you must stay informed. Because the risk is high. Unfortunately, 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys will have been a victim of child abuse and neglect by the time they reach 18-years of age. Child protective and reporting laws vary by state, but for both overnight camps and summer day camps, the camp director or administrator is often a mandated reporter for any suspected child abuse and neglect of any minor under the age of 18-years. As an example, California Penal Code 11165.7 indicates that "Administrators or employees of day camps, youth centers, or youth recreation programs" are mandated reporters. However, if you as a parent or caregiver, if you suspect that a child is a victim, or at risk of being a victim of child abuse, contact authorities in your state immediately (click for a contact list in your state). The state of California has a list of phone numbers by county for reporting child abuse.
Where to find Summer Camps? To find a summer camp or summer day camp near your home, it is best to begin with your city or county parks and recreation department, YMCA, churches, local colleges and universities, local zoo or botanical garden, museum or searching for "summer camps" or "summer day camps" on the internet. The American Camping Association (ACA) is an excellent resource to search camps by day, overnight, location, cost, activities. The ACA also includes information on scholarships and government subsidized programs for low-income families. Early registration is also an excellent opportunity to receive discounts. As children get older, allow them to explore the types of camps and activity experiences they are most interested in. This allows to build their interest.
Finding the right camp. Once you have a camp or two to select from, use the Summer Day Camp Guidelines to make sure the camp meets safety requirements and safe for your child.
