I remember going away to camp when I was a kid and pretty much loving it for the first summer. The second summer I didn’t love it so much and in fact, was so homesick that my Dad had to drive up there and get me and bring me home. I can’t remember why exactly or what the difference was between the two years. I was very young, but I do remember the feelings I had. I also remember that I learned to swim at camp, make a perfect bed, roast marshmallows over a campfire, and do arts and crafts. We made lanyards, belts and wallets too and had a Sadie Hawkins Day Race. It was fun!
When it came time to contemplate camp for my then 8 year old daughter, I didn’t even consider a sleep-a-way, although many of her friends starting going to them at around the age of 9. My daughter didn’t. She stayed here in NY and went to day camp every year. Different strokes as they say. Did she miss out? Maybe. But the truth is that I would have missed her too much and I wanted to keep her close to the nest as long as I could in life. She also didn’t seem that anxious to go anyway.
Whatever you choose, there are so many interesting options these days. You can go to a program for the entire summer or you can choose weeks in more specific interests or specialized camps. There is something for everyone in every price range.
The one thing you don’t want to do is let your kids be unengaged for the summer, unless you have a country house with a swimming pool nearby. Even kids who will be living at the beach for the summer are better off enrolled in a program that pairs them with other kids in group activities. The camaraderie of “summer friends” only adds to the great mix that makes a child’s social life an interesting and enriched experience. The more friends the better.
This print issue presents a lot of programs and there will more next month as well. In addition to this print magazine, we have a great online Guide at www.NYPar
Be sure to check them out in both print and digital and best of luck in finding the right fit for your youngsters. Thanks for reading!
