Finding the best summer camp for your child means considering what you (and they) want to get out of camp. Then you can choose the style of camp that best suits your goals. All kids can benefit from camp, the trick is to pick the camp that helps your child grow, learn, or just have fun—whichever makes the most sense for you and for them.
Here are some of the top benefits kids get from camp and goals you might have for your kid at camp, plus some suggestions for the types of camps that can get them there.
GOAL #1: Make New Friends
Kids need to socialize and camp is an excellent place for a new and possibly lifelong friendship to form.
Camps to consider:
Any camp! Almost any type of camp will provide a great opportunity for fast friendships, but kids who attend overnight camp (ages 4+) together share a special bond. (See some Toronto-area overnight camps.)
GOAL #2: Exercise
Photo: Joe Shlabotnik/Flickr CC
School is filled with hour after sedentary hour. An active camp helps kids burn off pent-up energy and get some fresh air—especially if they get out of the city to a camp in a nature setting.
Camps to consider:
Sports camps such as hockey camp, basketball camp, soccer camp, karate camp, dance camp, tennis camp, gymnastics camp, karate camp…there’s even a trampolining camp in the GTA! Can’t choose just one sport: go for a general sports camp like the Multi-sport Summer Camp at Sportplay.
GOAL #3: Expand Their Education
Photo: Nazareth College/Flickr CC
Camp can be an opportunity for a student who’s struggling in school to catch up, or can provide a gifted student the chance to delve into a subject in a deeper or new and exciting way.
Camps to consider:
French immersion camp, debate camp, ESL camp, science camp, math camp. Some of these are offered by local universities and offer excellent opportunities to do fun experiments, get creative, and take part in advanced problem-solving that isn’t part of the normal school curriculum. (One such program: the Kangaroo Math Camp at the University of Toronto.)
GOAL #4: Practice or Learn a Skill
Photo: Alex Ragone/Flickr CC
A week is a great amount of time for a child to dive into an activity, subject, or hobby, whether they’re building on existing skills or trying something completely new. This week off from school is no excuse for their education to stop. Encourage them to explore their interests and test their creative limits.
Camps to consider:
Photography camp, drama camp, music camp, cooking camp, art camp, dance camp. In Toronto, for example, kids can learn about landscape design or try their hand at cartooning with camps at the Art Gallery of Ontario.
GOAL #5: Unplug
Photo: Grand River Conservation Authority/Flickr CC
Take this week-long opportunity to get your child to take a break from screen time and slow down. After a summer of “off-the-grid” fun, they should get back to the grind of school and life with a clearer mind.
Camps to consider:
Wilderness camp, ranch-based camps, eco-education camps. Camp Tamakwa is one of our favourites in southern Ontario, in the beautiful setting of Algonquin Provincial Park, and with excellent introductory programs for kids who are new to camp.
Check out all of our camp listings in Toronto for overnight camps, day camps, arts camps, specialty camps, sports camps, and more!
PHOTO: GRAND RIVER CONSERVATION AUTHORITY/FLICKR CC
