Is more expensive camp a better one?

[Anonymous]

What is the criteria you use, and how did it work for you?

[Anonymous]

We went with one that has swimming twice a day- 1 of which is group lessons. For us that was important, but I knew we'd pay more for it. Also, we wanted to be able to communicate with adults.

[Anonymous]

I consistently have a problem with inexpensive ones at Rex centers, but then in private camps, I had really bad experience with Headfirst for example that does not belong to cheap camps. I feel like mid range, specialized, private camps are best. So paying $250/week 9-3 for a sport only camp in private made a lot of sense to us. For some reason they were better than headfirst who do all of it but the quality is not there. Sorry, I want my kid to learn not just have fun.

[Anonymous]

Well, I only have experience oth two camps, and yes, it was. We like how often they go to the pool, big trips, and just very imaginative activities. The other one less expensive, definitely, but was more of a center drop off rather than planned activities place. We are fortunate we can afford to do the one we are doing. If the before piece works out, we will try another camp next summer that looks very interesting, stem focus, for a week or two.

[Anonymous]

I meant Rec

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well, I only have experience oth two camps, and yes, it was. We like how often they go to the pool, big trips, and just very imaginative activities. The other one less expensive, definitely, but was more of a center drop off rather than planned activities place. We are fortunate we can afford to do the one we are doing. If the before piece works out, we will try another camp next summer that looks very interesting, stem focus, for a week or two.[/quote


What is your camp?

[Anonymous]

Not necessarily. We haven't done the really expensive camps because I just can't rationalize it. But we've done a few camps in the $300/week to $480/week range. We've been just as happy on average with the cheaper camps as with the more expensive ones; I think a lot of it is just setting expectations. The cheaper ones will generally have fewer field trips.

[Anonymous]

My kids are at the age now where camps have become a place for an activity, not just child care. My kids are very much into outdoor activities--white water rafting, hiking/camping, rock climbing, mountain biking, etc.

Their camps are expensive by the nature of the activities offered and the transportation required.

When the kids were younger, the rec dept camps were fine as long as you realized what you were getting. You're not going to get counselors that are going to plan engaging activities; you'll get HS/college age kids that are more like babysitters. The activities will be inexpensive such as coloring or cut/paste. The games will be simple ones that can be played with a ball--soccer, kickball, red light/green light. At the end of the day, you will not get a written report detailing your kids day. Johnny will have had a "fine" day. Your kids will be safe but not necessarily entertained or learning something new.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kids are at the age now where camps have become a place for an activity, not just child care. My kids are very much into outdoor activities--white water rafting, hiking/camping, rock climbing, mountain biking, etc.

Their camps are expensive by the nature of the activities offered and the transportation required.

When the kids were younger, the rec dept camps were fine as long as you realized what you were getting. You're not going to get counselors that are going to plan engaging activities; you'll get HS/college age kids that are more like babysitters. The activities will be inexpensive such as coloring or cut/paste. The games will be simple ones that can be played with a ball--soccer, kickball, red light/green light. At the end of the day, you will not get a written report detailing your kids day. Johnny will have had a "fine" day. Your kids will be safe but not necessarily entertained or learning something new.

Where on earth do you get a written report each day?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids are at the age now where camps have become a place for an activity, not just child care. My kids are very much into outdoor activities--white water rafting, hiking/camping, rock climbing, mountain biking, etc.

Their camps are expensive by the nature of the activities offered and the transportation required.

When the kids were younger, the rec dept camps were fine as long as you realized what you were getting. You're not going to get counselors that are going to plan engaging activities; you'll get HS/college age kids that are more like babysitters. The activities will be inexpensive such as coloring or cut/paste. The games will be simple ones that can be played with a ball--soccer, kickball, red light/green light. At the end of the day, you will not get a written report detailing your kids day. Johnny will have had a "fine" day. Your kids will be safe but not necessarily entertained or learning something new.

Where on earth do you get a written report each day?

Its just an update on what they've been doing - no biggie.

To answer the OP. We have gone twice with two different but quite expensive camps. One had swimming every day and a lot of outdoor activities, very up beat and positive counselors who we knew were fun (they host birthday parties there too so we'd met them and seen the set up). The second one was at a school our kids would be attending and we chose it so they'd get to know the campus a little, maybe meet classmates and ultimately take some interesting "classes" although they completely lost out on the swimming for that, and there was no transportation (as we'd had with the first one). I think ultimately its about what the camp is going to offer you that you want your kid to have.

Next year I think we'll do a few weeks at Valley Mill because it is a real outdoor camp and they have transport. But while its going to be a lot more expensive per week than what we're paying this year, we won't go for so long.

[Anonymous]

When the kids were younger, the rec dept camps were fine as long as you realized what you were getting. You're not going to get counselors that are going to plan engaging activities; you'll get HS/college age kids that are more like babysitters. The activities will be inexpensive such as coloring or cut/paste. The games will be simple ones that can be played with a ball--soccer, kickball, red light/green light. At the end of the day, you will not get a written report detailing your kids day. Johnny will have had a "fine" day. Your kids will be safe but not necessarily entertained or learning something new.


Where on earth do you get a written report each day?


Its just an update on what they've been doing - no biggie.

I find that really bizarre. Why can't your kids just tell you what they've been doing?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is the criteria you use, and how did it work for you?

Generally more $$$ is better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

When the kids were younger, the rec dept camps were fine as long as you realized what you were getting. You're not going to get counselors that are going to plan engaging activities; you'll get HS/college age kids that are more like babysitters. The activities will be inexpensive such as coloring or cut/paste. The games will be simple ones that can be played with a ball--soccer, kickball, red light/green light. At the end of the day, you will not get a written report detailing your kids day. Johnny will have had a "fine" day. Your kids will be safe but not necessarily entertained or learning something new.


Where on earth do you get a written report each day?


Its just an update on what they've been doing - no biggie.

I find that really bizarre. Why can't your kids just tell you what they've been doing?

Ha! You clearly don't have kids!!

[Anonymous]

It's not that some camps are better because of the cost necessarily. Things that seem to matter

ratio of adults to campers - in recreation based programs it can be as high as 20 to 1. And many times that is an 18/19 yr old. CITs can be as young as 12. So you now have an 18 yr old and a 12 yr old with little to no group child care experience leading a group of 20 6 yr olds. I think you can figure out how well that goes.

general program vs. specific program - general programs no matter the cost are generally not as well executed. Specific focused programs offer a better experience because the counselors have an actual agenda and really know each day what they are going to do.

Location - if the camp only has a few classrooms and limited outdoor space, that will effect the experience vs. have lots of indoor and outdoor spaces

[Anonymous]

Smithsonian camps are expensive, especially when you factor in the added donation that is necessary to get on the list that will get you a spot. And they are absolutely awful.