Elementary Connections recently asked Michael Rush from Future Stars Day Camps for his insight and expertise on when parents should start considering summer camp for their young children. Following are some questions many parents have and some helpful advice.
How do parents know if their child is ready for a summer camp?
This question typically comes from parents of 4-6 year olds and there is no perfect answer. Some families are considering moving from a traditional daycare environment to a day camp. Others may have been able to have the children at home but realize the importance of steady social interaction with peers knowing that kindergarten is in the near future. For some families, daycare is the only place their kids have ever been. The staff and teachers are familiar with their child and parents have comfort knowing their kids are safe and in good care. Parents seek change when they notice daycare no longer stimulates their child’s mind or expends enough of their energy. Kids at the higher end of the daycare age scale can feel too old, or too big for that environment.
What should parents look for and expect in a day camp?
Parents use the summer camp format and schedule to help children transition to full-day kindergarten or 1st grade schedules. When evaluating a summer camp, parents ask questions, talk to other parents, take campus tours and develop an enrollment decision. A summer camp with a nurturing approach offers a wonderful experience for campers. This is especially true with Pre-K and Kindergarten campers. Whether they are transitioning from daycare, preschool, or this is their first time in an organized learning environment, these children require individual attention from a consistent group of well-trained staff. A positive start to the day and a simplified transition are among the many little things that translate for big success. Learning how to swim, developing friendships, growing social skills, and expending youthful energy with games and fitness are critical aspects of a comprehensive summer camp program.
What sets Future Stars apart from other camps?
When a family chooses Future Stars for summer camp, we appreciate the gravity of that decision. The program goals for each camper are to build confidence and self-esteem, to work with others in a team setting, and build relationships. In doing all of this, our young campers return home each day effectively tired. As parents, we understand the feeling of dropping a child off somewhere new for the first time. Professionalism and caring ensure families are served in the best manner possible. The Future Stars staff embodies a nearly 50-year commitment to serving young people.
Future Stars has been offering quality summer camps since 1971 and operate day camps on some of the finest campuses in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Each campus offers air-conditioned facilities, swimming pools, playing fields, classrooms, and state of the art technology. Future Stars is proud to partner with these elite institutions to provide a vital community service. For more information and availability visit http://www.futurestarscamps.com/