Most of today’s parents are in a dilemma about when they should begin sending their kids to a summer camp near me. Well, the answer is it depends on the child as every child is different. Half-day summer camps and all-day summer camps provide character building and fun experiences. In addition, kids of different ages and development stages get advantages from the summer enrichment programs. Parents know that child better than anyone, so making that final decision rests on their shoulders.
You don’t have to feel alone while making these decisions. We are here to help! Whether you are looking for a few weeks or a few hours of mind-boggling learning adventure and entertainment for your child. We will help you make that decision. However, that depends on certain factors, such as if your child loves making new friends or is quite an introvert who shies away from familiar situations. There might be a case where your elementary kid excels at making something out of nothing, but your high-schooler is more intellectually driven. These factors help determine when you are children and are perfectly ready to attend a camp. Let us discuss the different age groups:
- Under Age 4
Under the age of four is any emotionally tender time in terms of development. Children of this age have difficulty adjusting to day camps without their parents. Moreover, many preschoolers have an issue with half-day camps as it causes interference with their mail and nap times. Therefore, you must choose a science camp for kids with qualified professionals who will take care of these children nicely.
- Ages 4-5
Half-day camps provide a suitable environment for kids in this age range. It teaches them to learn and enjoy time away from their parents. They have fun and get an opportunity to explore new activities and make friends who are outside their usual circle.
Usually, camps for preschoolers and kindergartens focus on free play. The teachers mostly emphasize values such as sharing with other children safely, enjoying time both outdoors, getting involved in group activities, participating in art and crafts, and doing Lego classes. For many kids of this age, beginning with half-day summer camps is an ideal way to ease into the act of sting away from parents. In this way, the kids spend time on their own but not all day. It is actually helpful if they are still taking naps after lunch. You can pick them at the time that makes sense for the schedule.
- Ages 6-8
At this point, a child might be ready for an all-day camp, especially if you are sending them to a public or daycare school. These kids understand the daytime separation from parents and do not get anxious about new environments, but that doesn’t mean they have to stay alone at night away from their family. So, this might not even be a good time for many kids for full-day summer camps.
- Ages 8-11
This age group of children generally thrives at all-day camps like science programs for kids. A full-day camp will give them the chance to enjoy enrichment activities they usually don’t do at home or school. However, if an older child is involved in many activities, or their parents need a safe place with adult supervision for some time every day, half-day camps may also meet those needs.
Popular camp activities for this age group include:
- Architecture and engineering
- Robotics
- Lego Classes
- Simple chemical experiments
- Crime scene investigation
- STEM challenges
- Amusement park science
These are the basic age levels of activities that can help you decide for your little ones.
Conclusion
If your child has never experienced day camp, you can do little things to ensure they are at ease throughout the day. It can be putting little notes in their lunch, packing familiar food, and allowing them to discuss the day’s activities when they are home fully. Take a note of the tips mentioned above, and then send your kids.
