Step 1: Accreditation.

The American Camp Association (ACA) defines the standard for all camps, requiring compliance with over 250 rules, guidelines and regulations focused primarily on the health and safety of all children who attend.  Only consider camps that have made the effort to become ACA accredited – even if this is the ONLY step you take, you can rest assured that your child will be in a safe place! ACA has already done the research and homework on that particular camp, and it has passed a rigorous examination with flying colors.

Step 2: Type of Camp.

Make 3 basic decisions that will narrow your search considerably:

• Day Camp or Overnight? If your child is 7 or younger, a day camp may be right for them. The benefits of attending a residential camp experience speak for themselves, so we highly recommend choosing an overnight camp as soon as your child is ready (usually a full year before you are ready to send them!)

• Girls Only, Boys Only, or Coed? Single-gender camps are more socially relaxed, without the distraction of the opposite gender, while Coed camps provide a safe place to learn crucial social skills that can serve children very well in life.

• Religious or non-affiliated? This is purely down to your preference as a parent.

Step 3: Camp Focus and Activities

You know your child best – what activities are they most interested in? Look for a camp that provides them, or provides other programs that are new for your child but you believe they will love.

Step 4: Dates and Rates

Find a camp that offers dates that are convenient for you. Decide what your budget is, then ask questions about what is included in the base price of each camp – do they charge extra for certain activities?

Step 5: Investigate

You have now narrowed your search down to just a few camps that meet your needs. Now is the time to go deep and do your research. The best possible action to take is to visit these camps yourself (many camps have open houses in the spring).  Another option is to ask around – either by speaking to someone you know who has attended that camp, or by reading reviews and testimonials on the camp website or other review sites. Whether or not you can visit, make sure to TALK TO THE CAMP DIRECTOR PERSONALLY. A good camp will have a director willing to take the time to directly address your concerns and get to know you. Ask tough questions and expect clear answers. There is no such thing as asking too many questions when it comes to the well-being of your child.

Step 6: Choose a Camp!

You’ve done your research, talked to a few camp directors, and maybe even seen a few camps for yourself. You have a very good feeling about that certain camp that looks and feels right for your child, and you know it will be a safe place because it is ACA accredited. Go with your parental instinct – then send your kid to camp and give them the best summer of their life!

Ian Brassett has worked in sleep-away camps since 1988, starting as a counselor and soccer instructor in a four and eight week summer camp. His current role is General Manager of Pali Mountain, a facility that houses Pali Adventures, a residential one week specialty summer camp in Southern California, as well as Pali Institute and Pali Mountain Retreat and Conference Center.

www.PaliAdventures.com

The post How to Choose a Summer Camp – in 6 Steps appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

Staying active during summer vacation is one of the most important determining factors in whether your child establishes healthy living habits and develops general athleticism. Summertime presents a prime opportunity for young athletes to catch up to their teammates and even surpass competitors in fitness, strength and skill.

Parents have a number of options for helping their athletes make the most of summer training, and a popular choice is enlisting their child in sports camps. In fact, according to a recent survey by American Express, parents will spend more than $600 per child on summer activities like sports teams, pool memberships and camps.

Camps offer several benefits as they provide consistent activity and sport-specific guidance. For young athletes, camps are not only an introduction to group training, but are also a great way to get socially acclimated in organized sports. Unfortunately, camps often last just a few days, and cannot replace three months of consistent activity.

Parents can help their athlete by making exercise a routine over the summer. Even parents without a sports background can help their athlete. Timing an athlete, counting reps, completing drills and taking them on bike rides, trail runs or to a local swimming pool are ways to get your child active. Come preseason, the transition to regular practice will not be abrupt or a shock. Your athlete will begin his or her season in shape, which will lead to better confidence in play and reduced anxiety.

Coaches will also take note—just ask former NFL player and CoachUp coach Izaan Cross.

“For young players especially, conditioning always serves as a giveaway for the type of work that a player has put in during the offseason,” Cross said. “You can also tell if a player has stayed active or partaken in summer training camp by questioning their knowledge of the game. If they can answer questions that they would not have been able to answer the prior season, or they do not make the same mistakes that they made the prior season, they most likely continued their growth as an athlete during the offseason.” 

As for the perfect summer training blend, aim to be active every day with a few days off. Cross said that for a child ages 5-10 years old usually an hour of exercise a few days a week is sufficient.

“That can be at a camp or clinic, private coaching, cross training with friends, training individually or with a parent, general exercising,” Cross clarified. He also added, “film study, speed training, flexibility work, and weight room availability become vital for an athlete especially once you get in the upper teenage years.”

Potential star athletes often show high general athletic ability before learning the nuances of a sport; improving general fitness will make your child a contender for making top teams and starting positions down the road. Regardless of a child’s future career as an athlete, adopting a routine of exercise will help your child establish life-long healthy habits.

Pros of camps:

• They last just a few days or weeks.
• Your child can practice with nearby athletes he/she might see at practice or competition.
• Your child will be exposed to different coaching styles or training, especially for out of state camps
• Your child will meet athletes from other areas, improving their quality of training and potentially creating new friendships.

Cons of camps

• Your child is one of many and may not get individual attention.
• Your child could learn bad habits from other athletes.
• If your child gets sick or injured at the beginning of camp, the value of the camp diminishes.
• Routines and regimes are tailored for the group; your child’s specific needs may be overlooked or not addressed.
• Camps can be expensive.

The post Summer Training, Camps and Exercise appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.