For many, the movie Meatballs shaped the perception of summer camp into a stereotypical narrow view of teenage retreats.  Images of Bill Murray leading a group of camp misfits remain legendary decades later, but it also prompts some important questions: How do I find a good summer camp? How do I determine which camp is a good fit for my child?  What are the benefits to my child?

First, let’s redefine what the term summer camp means.  It isn’t exclusive to summer long retreats away from home. It can be as simple as a daily event at a local Pittsburgh location.  It can be a weekend venture, or an overnight stay. Ultimately, when PittsburghKidsPrograms.org refers to camp, we are talking about summer programs provided outside of the normal classroom. Now that we have broadened the definition, we can examine what the best choices are for you and your family. 

When choosing a summer camp or kids program, there are some very basic questions to ask:

1. What is it my child likes to do?
2. What topics, activities, or athletics interest him or her?
3. Who sponsors the camp?  Is it an organization I am comfortable with?
4. Does the camp provide a safe and secure learning environment?
5. What sort of camp schedule will work well with my family’s obligations?                       
6. Can I afford this camp?  If not, are there scholarships available?
7. Is this camp the right fit for my child?  You want to set your child up to succeed, not to fail. The same holds true for athletic programs.  Sign your child up in a camp that is skill appropriate.
8. If your child has special needs, is this camp equipped to handle his/her needs?  Are the counselors trained to work with special needs children?
9. What sort of return rate does this camp generate?  Are people coming back every year?
10. How old are the counselors?  What is their education?  Training?
11. Do counselors have the proper child clearances (e.g. PA Act 33/34… etc)?
12. What is the medical training of the staff?
13. What is the student/counselor ratio?
14. What activities does the camp offer to build esteem?  Teamwork?  Independence?  Social Skills?  
15. What is the educational value offered at the camp?
16. Would your child be able to handle attending a camp/program without his/her friends?
17. Is my child ready for weeks away from mom and dad?  Maybe your child would prefer being away a few hours a day instead of an overnight stay.
18. What are my transportation options?  Can I get them there every day?
19. What about food?  Are there meals provided?  Is it a part of the package or does it cost extra?
20. If you need pre and/or post care, does the camp/program offer this? What is the cost?
21. Is the camp able to supply any references?

“Sorting through these questions may serve as a guide for parents,” stated PittsburghKidsPrograms.org organizer Jack Kobistek. “These questions will aid parents in finding appropriate learning opportunities for their children.” Mr. Kobistek goes on to state “In the Pittsburgh area there are a host of reputable (even world-class) nonprofit organizations that offer a multitude of excellent day camp opportunities for children. The summer educational opportunities for children are greater than ever. “Because of this intense competition these institutions have really raised the bar as far as the learning opportunities they provide.”

Lastly, don’t be hesitant to discuss camp ideas with your kids.  Soliciting your child’s opinion allows him/her to feel connected to the summer camp experience and can help alleviate some of the potential anxiety. Ultimately, they are the ones who have to attend. 

Jack Kobistek claims that with the breadth and depth of summer offerings in the Pittsburgh area, our children have more opportunities than ever before to locate a camp/program that enriches their interests.

Did you know that during the summer, research has shown that kids lose a substantial portion of the information they learn over the school year? This is known as the “Summer Slide.” Without some sort of summer program reinforcing their education; kids will forget.  Did you also know that children from low income households tend to suffer more as a result?  Why?  Often parents can’t afford summer camps.  This obstacle actually contributes to what is called the “Achievement Gap” This is the noted difference in test scores due to the socio-economic status of the family. Furthermore, many families have other obstacles such as transportation challenges, cost of lunches, and babysitting issues.   As a result, many children miss out on great education enhancement opportunities during the summer.

We, at Policy Innovations Institute and PittsburghKidsPrograms.org, think every child deserves a fair chance at continuing and enhancing their education.  As a result, we have established a number of programs to help remove obstacles to the learning environment for all children.  To learn more about our programs and how you can help please visit this link.

Remember, an investment in our children is an investment in our future.