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Summer Is Coming: What Will Your Teen Be Doing?
In just a couple months, kids all over the world will be out of school for the summer. Some will take trips, some will attend summer school or hang out with friends, and some will go away to camp. Whatever your choice, summer break should be a healthy and productive time for the entire family.
Children lucky enough to attend summer camp are in for a real treat. Research suggests a good summer camp not only teaches news skills and attitudes but provides a fun, safe, and relaxed environment to develop self-confidence, independence, and leadership. For teens in particular, who want to experience being out on their own, camp offers a controlled environment where they must adapt to a new place that is very different from home. By meeting new people from all walks of life, teens expand their horizons, learn about different cultures and lifestyles, and make lifelong friends. The camp experience can be a defining experience that lasts a lifetime.
Even celebrities have joined the summer camp scene. Mariah Carey, award-winning recording artist, started a camp in N.Y. for career awareness and development; famous model and television host, Tyra Banks, founded "TZone" with an emphasis on self-empowerment and sisterhood; hip-hop artist Usher established a sports and entertainment camp in Atlanta; and at one point, infamous pop princess Britney Spears set up a camp for the performing arts in Massachusetts.
For many parents, sending their child to summer camp is a scary experience. However, fears that a child isn't old enough or mature enough to handle life away from home are often unfounded. Most 10- to 12-year-olds are ready for sleepaway camp, so long as they're able to manage their own personal hygiene, such as bathing, grooming, and changing clothes.
There is a fine line between excitement and fear or anxiety. For most teens, a well-supervised camp full of challenges and growth opportunities is exactly what they need. Ropes courses, hikes, and sports and games are great ways to build confidence and a sense of "I can do anything if I put my mind to it." When teens identify new interests and talents, they begin to dream and set goals.
Choosing a Summer Camp
Step 1: Determine your child's interests.
The first step in choosing a summer camp for your child is determining the type of camp that best suits his/her particular interests. Let your teen participate in choosing which camp is right for him. Can your child handle an entire summer away from home, or would a 2-week program be better? With camps for every kind of hobby, sport, and art, along with camps geared toward weight loss, test prep, and travel and adventure, you're bound to find something that matches your teen's interests and skills. If your child has behavioral or emotional issues, such as attention deficit, defiance, learning difficulties, substance abuse, or depression, there are dozens of camps and programs that can help. Learn more. LINK
Step 2: Decide how much you can spend.
Next, figure out how much you can spend. Be sure to factor in any extras like a camp uniform, charges for trips, transportation, the cost of visiting the camp, and any extra spending money your child will need. Certainly, any summer camp you choose will be an investment, but prices vary as dramatically as the types of camps out there. Don't assume that camp is only for wealthy parents. There are camps of varying durations, and financing options are available to many families.
Step 3: Consider size and location.
Size and location are other important factors at summer camp. Smaller camps may foster an environment where campers and staff really get to know each other, and where individual needs can be quickly met. While it may be convenient on visiting day to choose a camp near home, the quality of the camp and its ability to meet the specific needs of your child should outweigh considerations of geographic location.
Step 4: Make an educated choice.
Once you've narrowed down the pool of camps that meet your needs, begin to compare them against each other. The Internet is a great place to start your research. Does each camp have impressive facilities, rigorous staff training, and a strong safety record? Will your child get individualized attention with a low staff-to-camper ratio? Given the myriad benefits of summer camp, spaces fill quickly. Don't procrastinate - many camps fill up as early as March, and the last thing you need after all that research is a houseful of sulking teenagers!
Is your teen struggling with behavioral and emotional issues that are prohibiting him or her from growing into a mature young adult with a positive future?
Talisman Summer Camps offer programs for children ages 8 to 17 with LD, ADD and ADHD much more than the typical summer adventure. Talisman specializes in creating camps that offer not only adventure, but learning experiences, for children and teenagers with learning disabilities, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, Asperger's syndrome and high-functioning autism.