There are hundreds of summer camps in Spain, and choosing one is an important decision, given that a stay at a camp can create one of the most significant memories of childhood or adolescence.
As experts in Summer Camps for Kids, we have compiled the opinions of parents, educators and campers so that their experience can help you and your children assess which summer camp is best for you.o.
Choosing the Best Summer Camp
Review these recommendations before making a decision if you want to get it right:
- Find out as much as you can
Nowadays, thanks to the Internet, there is a quick and effective way to find out about the different camps that exist. The website of each of them can give you many clues, because if you find a page with a lot of structured information, with clear data and opinions, it is probably a reflection of the camp itself. If, on the other hand, you find a disorganised and outdated showcase, you can already get an idea of how they manage the rest of the camp.
- Make a selection and show it to your child.
Once you have selected different camps and chosen those of the highest quality within your budget, it is important to always have your children’s opinion, given that they are the ones who are going to live the experience. You can also involve them right from the very beginning, at the research stage, and spend some quality time together searching and comparing. It will surely help you get to know your children’s interests and preferences better.
- Friends are important
For both children and teenagers, friends are a major influence, and in the case of more introverted boys and girls, going to a summer camp with some friends makes them feel more confident and enjoy the experience much more, expanding their circle of friends with other campers.
n any case, the experience of campers who arrive without knowing anyone usually lasts only a few minutes, because children have a special ability to make friends and, before the first night, they usually already have new acquaintances who will become their companions during the stay and, for some, become friends for life.
- Counsellors, a decisive factor
Although the camp programme is fundamental and the facilities, catering and medical service should be of the highest possible quality, the camp’s human team is a decisive factor, as it will be these professionals who ensure your children’s safety, encourage them to take part in activities, reinforce their positive behaviour, listen to them and guide them throughout their stay at the camp.
In the research phase, it is essential that you find out about the people who are in charge of the camp team. If you can give them a name and a face, so much the better.
- The location of the Summer Camp
Pay close attention not only to finding quality facilities, but also to the environment in which they are located, given that the best camps usually organise excursions to nearby places and this can be a great opportunity for campers to share truly unforgettable experiences. Finding an environment that offers nature, beach and mountains seems idyllic, but there are camps that have it and make really good use of it.
- Nourish the body and soul
Many parents focus on the food their children will receive. A quality menu should be one of the obligations of any camp, and it should also allow campers to choose from different types of menus that perfectly meet their needs: vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and menus tailored to specific allergies…
A campus whose “educational menu” includes developing the skills of children and adolescents through mindful education, with activities that teach them to improve their self-esteem, their teamwork skills and their confidence.
- Summer Camp Reviews
Bear in mind that the website or brochure of any camp may say wonderful things about all the factors we mentioned earlier, but if you want to be sure, the best thing to do is visit their social media. Follow them on Facebook, for example, and read the posts they share about themselves, as well as the opinions of campers, parents and family members.
Ask your questions and evaluate the attention they give you, connect with their community and find the parents of other campers who may be returning this year and whose children share similar interests to yours. This will be the best way to get to know the camp from the inside without leaving home.
These are our main recommendations, but we would really like to hear your opinion—what do you value most in a summer camp?
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