Well, it’s that time of year again, when moms everywhere ask themselves, “What am I going to do with those kids all summer?”  If you’re a working mother, summer vacation can throw a monkey wrench into your day, sending you scrambling for daycare.  Stay-at-home moms have an even greater challenge as their few daily hours of peace and quiet fade into the distant echoes of the September school bell.  Video games and the Cartoon Network only go so far.  Eventually, “I’m bored!” resonates throughout the house as annoying as fingernails scratching along a blackboard.  Daily domestic duties soon fall by the wayside, replaced with play dates, trips to the mall or even just McDonald’s.  All is not lost, however.  Summer camp not only exposes children to the wonders of nature, but also allows parents to put up their feet and listen to the quiet. Ahhhh!

NOT SUCH A NEW IDEA
Summer camps have been around since 1861 when Frederick William Gunn organized the first wilderness adventure for his private school students.  Gunn responded to the wishes of parents seeking a back-to-nature experience for their children.  In the woods of Long Island Sound, he introduced the young city dwellers to two weeks of fishing, boating, sailing and hiking.

The idea caught on and in 1910, the American Camp Association was founded.  Thousands of parents take advantage of the win/win situation afforded by sending little Joey to camp.  Besides the obvious back-to-nature thing, the camping experience teaches a child valuable lessons in relationship skills, being a good sport and becoming comfortable away from mom and dad.

SO YOU’RE READY TO GO!  WHAT NEXT?
Once you’ve made the decision to take the plunge, choosing among the myriad of possibilities can make your head swim.  Just about anything you’re looking for can be found on the Internet.  So put the kids to bed, relax and PLAN!

The American Camp Association (ACA) offers a wide variety of possibilities, geared to meet just about any parent’s needs.  ACA provides accreditation to over 2,400 camps, which are required to meet the Association’s nearly 300 standards.  Clicking on the “Find a Camp” link offers six different options:
• advanced search
• location
• camp name
• ACA local offices
• camp list by state
• camps renting to groups

The “advanced search” link allows mom or dad to find a tailor-made camp in just a few clicks.

OPTIONS

Parents can choose among 62 activities in which they wish Joey to participate, including sports clowning, spirituality, science or the arts.  Target camps are listed: academic, equestrian, bereavement, sorts, visual and performing arts, weight loss and wilderness trip.

If a particular cultural environment is desired, ACA offers a list of seven options (including “no preference): African American, Christianity, Hispanic, Islamic, Jewish, Muslim and Native American.

Nine specialty camps are listed (including weight loss, emotional problems and the gifted) as well as 23 camps for those who may have special needs, including autism, blindness, cancer or speech impairment.  Some of the camps are affiliated with particular organizations such as 4-H, Boy Scouts, Campfire or religious organizations.

Of course, parents must choose between day camp or overnight and whether they desire a coed or mixed camp environment.  Length of stay varies anywhere from just a few days to nine weeks.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Once all the details have been ironed out, the bottom line comes out to just how much you can afford.  Choosing the “$75 per week” option yields 139 search results. The majority of these camps are for those with special issues such as cancer, heart disease or children in need of economic assistance; some are sponsored by organizations such as the Lions Club or American Cancer Society.

At the other end of the spectrum, the more specialized is the camp, the more expensive it becomes.  Residents of the “over $800-per-week” club may hail from specific religious denominations or the artistically or intellectually gifted—but that is not always the case.  Searching through the 327 choices reveals that sometimes, a kid just wants to have a good time.

STILL UNDECIDED?

The ACA put together a video in honor of their 100th anniversary that provides a pictorial testimony to the camp experience (http://www.acacamps.org/anniversary/video/100_years.html).  If you think this is the right experience for your child, check out the ACA website (http://www.acacamps.org ) and little Joey will be on his way to a rewarding and fun-filled summer!