March is here, and you know what that means: it’s time to start thinking about summer. Yes, you read that right. The kids will be out of school before you know it, and when it comes to planning for those summer months, it’s best to plan early.

Whether you opt to send your child to a single camp all summer or enroll your child in multiple day camps, there are a wide array of camps from which to choose. As any parent who has engaged in the day camp search for their child can probably attest, choosing a summer camp has the potential to be a complicated process.

According to Parenting.com, there are certain factors that parents should always consider when selecting the right camps for their child or children. First, parents should check to see if the camp is established. When it comes to camps, longevity is a great trait. Established camps mean there are many satisfied and happy parents who like the way a camp’s staff takes care of their children. What better endorsement for a camp than parents’ continued support?

Additionally, parents should pay attention to a camp’s philosophy, including how it fosters a sense of community among its campers. Does the camp offer scholarships to draw in a variety of campers possibly from different socioeconomic backgrounds? Does there appear to be an overall theme or focus of the camp? And how is that theme translated through the different activities offered to the campers? And most importantly, is the camp’s theme or focus in line with what the parents want their children to learn?

Parenting.com also says that parents should also consider staff training and the number of choices for activities for the campers. Finally, parents should consider how well the camp seems to communicate with parents and whether the camp is accredited. (Rowley, Barbara. “How to Pick the Right Summer Camp for Kids.” Parenting, Meredit Corporation, s.)

As parents scour the field looking for just the right camp for their child, camps, in turn, are continuing to provide competitive offerings and services to families. Campsite, a leading consultant in camp management, noticed a few common trends in summer camp offerings from last summer. First, there was an increased effort to provide healthy food to campers. Campsite noted that camps were offering leaner proteins and more fruit and vegetable sides in their meal planning.

Also, camps placed a greater emphasis on using more eco-friendly products and taking more time to educate campers about the importance of environmental sustainability. Campsite also noted a greater focus on community service projects for campers, with more camps offering sports events as charity fundraisers and opportunities for campers to volunteer at local food banks and Habitat For Humanity projects. (“7 Summer Camp Trends to Look Forward to in 2017.” Campsite,May 3, 2016.)

When it comes to parents selecting a day camp for their children, it is certainly a buyer’s market. Start the process early to allow for enough time to investigate and find the camp that is just right for your children. Both Campsite and the American Camp Association (ACA) provide additional information on day camp selection. Also, for an in-depth look at overnight camps and how to select the right one for your child, you can visit this section of the ACA website.

The Fairell Firm strives to provide relevant and helpful information to parents regarding all aspects of their children’s lives. If you are in need of assistance with matters regarding your children, or anything regarding family law in Atlanta, including visitation and child custody during the summer months, call today at 678.973.2803 or contact us to schedule a consultation.