Deciding on when to send your child to day camp can be tricky! There are physical, emotional, developmental and even in some cases, spiritual considerations to take when making such a big decision. Questions like “How will he handle not seeing dad for an entire camp day?” or “Will she be able to dress herself after swimming without mom there to help?” followed by “How does this place screen their staff?” and “What will they be teaching my child while in their care?” can be quite overwhelming! Check out a few key considerations to make before deciding to send your child to day camp!
What are the requirements for independence in a camper at your day camp of interest and does your child meet them?
- At Camp Sonshine we ask campers to be at least four years old and potty trained with the ability to dress/undress themselves (in the instance of water play activities) with minimal assistance.
How does the leadership of your day camp of interest vet their summer staff? Do they require background checks? Fingerprinting? How do they ensure your child is being cared for by safe and capable camp counselors?
- At Camp Sonshine, we require our staff undergo a background check, be fingerprinted, and go through an extensive interview process. We train our staff under the philosophy of “in loco parentis,” meaning we equip and expect them to show the same care and concern for your child(ren) that you, as their loving parent, would!
What type of education or spiritual/religious elements are going to be a part of your day camp of interest’s program?
- At Camp Sonshine, we are a Christian day-camp with staff that are committed to showing the love and care for your child(ren) that we believe is communicated in the Bible. However, we do not “teach” any spiritual or religious specifics and serve families from all faiths and backgrounds. We do not require our campers to adhere to any one belief system in order to attend and experience the Camp Sonshine fun!
Is your child showing interest in attending your day camp of interest?
- If you ask your child if they’d like to attend and they don’t seem confident or excited, it may be best to hold off. You want your child to be excited and interested in attending, as that readiness makes their experience that much richer!
Does your child enjoy interacting with children their age?
- At Camp Sonshine (and most other day camps), we group our campers together according to their school grade/age and we have staff leading age-appropriate activities. If your child has shown interest in playing with others, they will likely find the group-oriented activities typically found at day camps especially enjoyable.
Of course there are other questions to ask and considerations to make before sending your child to day camp, but we hope the above information will help you begin the process of deciding! If you are interested in Camp Sonshine, be sure to reach out to us at info@campsonshine.org! We’d love to hear from you and discuss the possibility of your child joining the Camp Sonshine family!