In Canada many children attend summer camps during the long summer holidays. Every province in Canada has summer camps and there are literally hundreds to choose from and they are very popular. In fact they are so popular many are fully booked even before the year starts, so it is best to do lots of research to find the camp you want to go to to make sure you book your place in time, so start now!
Children of all ages can take part in summer camps as some are just day events whilst others can be a week or even a month or more. Each one offers different activities so you should be able to find one which caters to your interests. There are groups just for boys, or just for girls, but many are mixed. There are also camps for people with special needs, so no one has to miss out on the opportunity. You do have to pay for camps so you will need to do the research with your parents to make sure they can afford the ones you pick!
How to choose a summer camp
Sit down with your parents and write a list of things that you want from the camp, be it fun stuff, learning skills, your hobbies etc. Your parents should also write a list of what they want you to get from the camp. This might be different to yours but you will probably find that the things you want and the things your parents want can be found at more than one camp. For example you might want to learn to skateboard and your parents want you to gain more self confidence. By selecting the right camp there is no reason why both these things cannot be achieved at the same time.
Once you have decided what you and your parents want from the camp you will need to decide which type of camp you want to attend.
Location: Although you might be restricted by the location, some camps do offer transportation, so look into this if distance could be a problem for you.
Facilities: Your parents might be more concerned about facilities than you, but you need to know what things you expect at the camp. What is the security like, what medical facilities are there, what are the qualifications of the camp supervisors, what type of sleeping arrangements are there, can the camp cater to special needs if required. What type of accommodation is provided i.e. cabins, tents etc?
Some camps are operated by religious bodies, so if this is important to you make sure you are able to practice your religion whilst at camp.
Size: Camps vary in size from tens of people to over 500. Do you want to be part of a large camp or prefer a smaller camp environment? Even the largest camps tend to split children into smaller groups so you still get the individual support you would receive at a smaller camp.
Cost: Of course cost can be a major issue especially if you want to attend several camps or you have brothers and sisters who also need to attend camp. This can mean that your parents are
spending a lot of money so you need to be aware of this and not be too selfish in your needs, after all there will still be next year to try something different.
You also need to be aware of what is included in the cost such as equipment, trips, transport as these items can add considerably to the overall cost if not included.
Costs vary greatly from camp to camp from around 0 for a day camp to several thousand dollars for a month long camp. Fortunately there are lots to choose from so hopefully you will find one in your parents budget.
Duration: Camps can last anything from a few hours to several weeks. You and your parents need to be sure that you are prepared to be away from home for the length of your trip. Some children love being away from home and enjoy the freedom, but others may get very homesick and want to go back home after a day or two.
Check to see if there is an option available to cut the duration sort if you find you want to go home early. Is there a refund policy in this case?
Activities: This is the most important decision as far as the children are concerned because it is what you will be doing whilst away at camp. Some camps specialize in certain areas such as horse riding, mountain climbing, sports, crafts etc, whilst others offer a wide variety of activities.
Do you want to take part in team sports or more singular activities such as tennis? Do you want the whole camp to revolve around water sports or would you prefer something more sedate such as craft activities or performing arts? Do you need to learn a particular skill from scratch or are you more advanced? Check the skill levels of each camp to make sure it meets your skill needs.
One for the parents – check it out first:
Once you choose a camp make sure it is everything you expect it to be.
Can you get references from people who have used it before?
How long has it been in operation?
What are the goals of the camp?
How many staff are on duty to how many children?
What are the qualifications of the staff?
What staff training is provided?
What is the food like?
What are the sleeping arrangements?
What toilet and shower facilities are available?
What facilities are available for contact with home (phone, letter etc)?
What provisions are there for bad weather?
What insurance coverage is there?
What items can your child take with them?
• Can the camp meet special needs requirements i.e. diet, accessibility, supervision etc?
What provisions do they have for medical emergencies?
Camp Activities
As we have mentioned there are many camps offering many different activities, these include the following examples, although there are many more.
Team Sports: Hockey, basketball, baseball, martial arts, football, volleyball etc.
Individual Sports: Golf, biking, skateboarding, archery, go-karts, track and field, horse riding etc.
Water Sports: Canoeing, diving, windsurfing, jet skiing, swimming, sailing, kayaking, water-skiing, rafting etc.
Adventure: Rock climbing, orienteering, mountaineering, dog sledding, backpacking, bungee jumping, hiking, biking, driving range, wilderness camps etc.
Performing Arts: Acting, writing, costuming, dance, music, circus arts, makeup etc
Creative Arts: Drawing, crafts, painting, photography, cooking, stained glass, sculpture, woodwork, sewing, ceramics etc.
Academics: reading, languages, journalism, computing, science etc.
Other: This can include any number of activities such as gardening, archaeology, astronomy, farming, geology, marine biology etc.
Basically if you can think of a subject, you will more than likely find a camp to fit.
Overseas Camps
Although most children choose to attend camps in Canada there are options to choose camps overseas or in North America. There may be age restrictions for this type of camp, but you might find yourself in China, Mexico, United States or any other location in the world. Obviously the cost of these camps are much higher than Canadian camps so this must be taken into consideration when choosing a foreign camp.
Special Needs
Just because you have a special need doesn’t mean you have to miss out on all the fun. There are lots of camps that can accommodate children with special needs and many more who specialize in such needs. It doesn’t matter if you have a chronic illness, a disability or any other physical or mental limitation there will be a camp suitable for you.
Some camps specialize in providing activities for the deaf, blind or wheelchair bound children. They still offer all the major activities such as canoeing, swimming, gymnastics, performing arts etc. They of course also offer specially trained staff and 24 hour medical facilities and specialist equipment.
Some other camps specialize in helping people with learning difficulties such as dyslexia, so there really is no need to feel left out whatever your needs and requirements.
Resources
There are a number of ways to find out about summer camps including:
Internet: Lots of websites are available these days giving lots of information about summer camps. Some are search sites in which you can find different camps in different provinces. Others are the websites of the actual camps giving you full details of their activities, costs etc.
Details of useful website links can be found here:
Camp Fairs: There are a number of camp fairs held all over Canada. They are held in large halls and lots of different camp organizers attend so you can visit with your parents to see which might be the best one for you. You will be able to pick up lots of advice and information and can sign up there and then or take away leaflets, brochures and quite often gifts so you can decide later.
Summary
Summer camps are a great way to get away and experience exciting new activities or expand on the ones you already enjoy. They also give you a chance to do things without your parents being around (parents also get a break from you!)
If you think it all sounds like great fun, you are right. Check out the weblinks we have provided and see what is on offer in your location. Camps are an excellent way to meet new people and make new friends, especially if you are new to the area, or
