Summer CampsSummer camps offer an excellent opportunity for your child to learn various types of activities from science, gymnastics, swimming, general sports, crafts, music, to riding. The types of camps range from overnight residential camps to day camps. A summer camp experience should never be used to just 'keep your child busy' all summer. It should be used as an opportunity to expose your child to experiences they can learn from in an enjoyable and safe environment. The summer camp experience provides learning and social opportunities for children. It also provides an opportunity for the child to learn new activities (i.e. music, riding, gymnastics, swimming, equestrian, sports, etc.). As children become interested in an activity, this is an opportunity for parents to provide their child with extracurricular classes throughout the school year. This gives an opportunity for the child to build a passion for an activity while improving brain development to improve learning, self-confidence, and decreases risk taking behavior in adolescence.
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Remember to allow time for your child to relax during summer as well. Not laying around the home watching videos, but rather taking them on a hike or to the beach give them time to explore and learn about how to enjoy life as well.
COVID-19 Testing and Screening Update
While the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency ended in May 2023, the COVID-19 pandemic is not over and there are protections that parents can take. The American Camping Association and the Alliance for Camp Health have guidelines for camps. Each camp will have its own protocol for parents and children to follow. Generally, there is no longer a formal system for regular testing, so it is recommended that families assess and self-monitor this child for COVID-19 or flu-like symptoms. If your child has symptoms it is recommended to not bring your child to camp during this time. Participants in camps can choose to wear a mask when indoors or outdoors if the parent chooses, except water activities for safety reasons. It is also best to check with the camp for specific recommendations.
While the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency ended in May 2023, the COVID-19 pandemic is not over and there are protections that parents can take. The American Camping Association and the Alliance for Camp Health have guidelines for camps. Each camp will have its own protocol for parents and children to follow. Generally, there is no longer a formal system for regular testing, so it is recommended that families assess and self-monitor this child for COVID-19 or flu-like symptoms. If your child has symptoms it is recommended to not bring your child to camp during this time. Participants in camps can choose to wear a mask when indoors or outdoors if the parent chooses, except water activities for safety reasons. It is also best to check with the camp for specific recommendations.
How do you know it's the right or safe camp?
To make sure the camp provides a safe environment for your child, there are camp accreditation, certifications for staff and child abuse clearances to allow counselors to work with children. While many summer camps are accredited by the American Camping Association, it is not required and equally not required for summer day camps or summer riding camps. If however the camp is not accredited does not mean it is an unsafe camp, they just need to meet specific safety requirements. The following guide is specific for day camps, but can also be used for residential overnight camps. These guides helps parents rate the camp to make sure safety requirements are in place to ensure a safe environment for their child.
To make sure the camp provides a safe environment for your child, there are camp accreditation, certifications for staff and child abuse clearances to allow counselors to work with children. While many summer camps are accredited by the American Camping Association, it is not required and equally not required for summer day camps or summer riding camps. If however the camp is not accredited does not mean it is an unsafe camp, they just need to meet specific safety requirements. The following guide is specific for day camps, but can also be used for residential overnight camps. These guides helps parents rate the camp to make sure safety requirements are in place to ensure a safe environment for their child.
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