The Boston Globe

Magazine

Globe Magazine

10 questions to ask when choosing a summer camp

Advice for New England parents looking for a day camp, an outdoor camp, single-sex or coed camps, and more.

1. IS MY CHILD READY FOR CAMP?

Many day camps take kids as young as preschool age, but depending on the type of camp you’re considering, you need to assess your child’s maturity and sometimes even skill level before signing up.

Comments

Great article. Thank you. We at the Maine Camp Experience community of camps believe that camp is an extremely personal experience and should be researched thoroughly.  We agree with Elizabeth that it does matter which camp you choose and it is very important to understand the camp’s philosophy and programming.  We’d add that nothing replaces the firsthand experience of seeing a camp in action, so planning a trip to see the camps while they are in session the summer before is a valuable opportunity.  Attending a summer camp (and particularly a Maine summer camp, which is an easy drive from Boston), is an experience that is sure to be life changing for the whole family.  Parents and children need to feel comfortable with the camp they choose, and confident that it is the perfect fit for both their summers away, and for a lifetime of memories. Because camp isn’t just about a few weeks in the summer. It’s about making forever friends, yearning to return to repeat traditions, building on newly learned skills, and the annual family ritual of returning to Maine long after camp is over.  The site mainecampexperience.com is a great resource for more than 30 camps in Maine and has a Maine Guide who can provide personalized information and guidance.