"The camp experience enriches lives and changes the world," according to the American Camping Association(ACA). Fostering a sense of caring community, offering educational and social development, and simply providing a safe and fun place for children to enjoy, are just a few things that summer camps offer. There are literally thousands of summer camp options available to children each year. From day camps to summer long adventures overseas, camps offer a wide variety of choices, benefits, and costs. Learning about your options, "as well as your child's personality" according to the ACA, is the key to identifying the right camp program for your child.

Shopping for a Camp

January and February are ideal months to start looking at camps for kids. It may be months before summer arrives, but right now, most summer camps are already filling up for next year, and many camps will be booked solid by March. Trying to find the right summer camp experience for your children can sometimes seem overwhelming, but taking your time to research your options can ultimately result in a memorable and valuable, not to mention exciting and fun, experience for your child. Don't wait until the last minute to look for the right camp, or you will find your choices limited. To find local camps, check out your BabyZone Regional site listings.

General Age Guidelines

Individual camps will provide their own age minimums and maximums. Take these recommendations seriously. Good camps do not set these ages casually, but with a carefully planned agenda suited to each age group. Talk to the directors of camps that spark your interest. Ask them how they set their age agendas. Get answers that make sense to you.

If your child is at a borderline age, consider his or her personal requirements. Does your child need more individual attention? If so, perhaps you should go with the younger set. Does your child relish challenges and behave well with older kids? Let him take on the challenge of the older group. When in doubt, again, you will find the camp directors to be an invaluable resource. They want a good fit as much as you do.

Infants to Young Preschoolers

Of course your baby is too young to go to a month long residential camp in the mountains, but that doesn't mean your child is not ready for a smaller, but nonetheless beneficial and fun camp experience. Consider enrolling in a day camp in your area or in special workshop-type day camps offered locally. Unlike the traditional residential camps, many of these day camps are perfect for young children, and there is a surprising variety.

The first step in determining age appropriateness is to ask the director or consult the camp literature. Many drop-off day camps will not accept children under four, and few will accept children who are not potty-trained.

For the older preschool set, look for day camps that have a variety of scheduled activities, but for children under age three, you are more likely to find parent or caretaker attended camps as the best alternative. These "camps" are generally set in fun workshop formats, and may feature storytelling, games, music and other age appropriate activities.

Julianne Sydell of Raleigh, NC had been bringing her daughter to Kindermusik camps since she was six months old. "A friend told me about classes that she took with her young daughter, and I was skeptical about how involved such a young baby would get, but she smiled the entire time - it was clear that she absolutely loved it."

Julianne says there was an extra benefit to the summer camp she first experienced. "Our first exposure to Kindermusik was a week long camp experience, but it turned out to be a very affordable way to explore the classes that Kindermusik offered without committing to an entire semester." Many groups that specialize in offering classes for kids offer camp versions, which allow parents an opportunity to preview what they offer throughout the year. Many local preschools also offer summer day camps as a way to preview the services they offer.

Ages 5 to 7

The kindergarten and young school age child is also a more likely candidate for the day camp rather than the residential camp scenario, but a much wider variety of special interests and activities are available. Most children this age can adapt well to a drop-off program that does not require parental attendance, and are independent enough to enjoy the experience. This is especially true of children who have already experienced preschool or kindergarten environments.

By this age, children can, and should be, involved a little in the decision of attending camp and allowed to express opinions on the camp experience they believe they would most enjoy. A good tip is to present only camps options which meet parents needs and expectations for timing, budgetary and other reasons.

Camps specializing in music, gymnastics, dance, sports, even academics and language may be available in your area for this age group, but choosing a narrowly focused day camp may not be the best option. Experts in child development stress the need for variety for children of this age, and general day camps which offer a wide selection of arts and crafts, games, storytelling, music and other activities are most likely to offer your child a balanced and fun experience. Serious academic camps at this age are not generally recommended.