This page was exported from Shelburne Free Press [ https://shelburnefreepress.ca ] Export date:Wed Jul 3 17:29:00 2024 / +0000 GMT ___________________________________________________ Title: How to choose a summer camp for your kids --------------------------------------------------- Starry nights, talent shows, bus rides, new friends, old friends, cannon balls, canoe trips, sing songs, letters home, cookouts… for those that were fortunate enough to go to camp, the memories are endless and everlasting. In many ways, summer camp hasn't changed since camps first started operating in Ontario about 100 years ago. Camp is still a place where kids learn new skills, have an adventure, make friends, and develop self-confidence. Camps have gone through an incredible transformation in order to adapt to life in the 21st century. For example, summer camps now offer an incredible array of specialized experiences to campers, the lonely payphone in the basement of the dining hall has been replaced with the increasingly present smartphone, and camp kitchens are working hard to accommodate a wide range of dietary restrictions. One other thing that remains true about camp: it is an incredibly life enriching experience to give a child. Choosing the best camp for your child is no small task. When considering the range of options available to families, there are a few ways to narrow down your search: 1. Choose a camp that is accredited by the Ontario Camps Association (www.ontariocampsassociation.ca). Accredited camps voluntarily comply with over 400 standards that address the safety and well being of campers and staff. 2. Speak to the Camp Director. This person is the individual who is responsible for your child for her or his entire camp experience. Ask the Camp Director every question you can possibly think of. 3. Visit. See the camp for yourself. Check out the kitchen, the washrooms, and the cabins. Observe a meal, talk to the staff, take an archery lesson. Visiting the camp is the best way for you and your camper to learn what the experience will be like when it actually happens. 4. Include your child in the process. If your child is going to be spending time away from home, whether it is day camp or overnight camp, it is important that s/he feels good about that decision. 5. Stick to your values. Maybe you believe that all campers should be the same gender, maybe you want a camp with a particular religious affiliation, or maybe you are looking for a particular area of skill development. Ask yourself what details matter the most to you and seek out a camp that will match those expectations. Regardless of what camp you select for your child(ren), know that providing them with the opportunity to go to summer camp is an experience that will last a lifetime! There will be a Camp Mansfield information night for interested parents at the Shelburne Public Library on Thursday May 15, at 7 p.m. Drew Gulyas is the Camp Director at the Mansfield Outdoor Centre (www.mansfieldoutdoorcentre.ca, drew@mansfieldoutdoorcentre.ca)   --------------------------------------------------- Images: https://shelburnefreepress.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Camp-pond-boys-199x300.jpg https://shelburnefreepress.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Camp-sam-archery-300x275.jpeg https://shelburnefreepress.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Camp-Meghan-on-horse-199x300.jpg --------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- Post date: 2014-05-07 16:04:26 Post date GMT: 2014-05-07 20:04:26 Post modified date: 2014-05-14 15:19:53 Post modified date GMT: 2014-05-14 19:19:53 ____________________________________________________________________________________________ Export of Post and Page as text file has been powered by [ Universal Post Manager ] plugin from www.gconverters.com