If you have found a well-run camp that your son likes, fits in your budget, and works with your schedule, you have found a unicorn. Treasure it and appreciate it like a rare gift.

OP, your kid is not falling behind because they aren't going to "specialty" camp at 7 years old. Summer camps here are crazy with everything changing every week. Your son probably just wants some stability during the summer.

You said it in your OP - you want him to be happy, so you sign him up for the camps he wants.

That's what a good parent does.

A lot of specialty camps really don't impart much in the way of skills, OP. My DD goes to an art camp and a dance camp, but she gets far more out of her regular art classes at school and the weekly dance classes she takes during the week. It's really just regular summer camp with a "theme" which your camp probably does too, with different themes each week.

Like at dance camp, they still do arts and crafts but they will be dance themed, and each day the take a dance class. Otherwise it's basically like all other camps. Same with art camp, just with a bit more emphasis on arts and crafts and they will put a bit more energy into producing projects to take home at the end of the week.

If your kid likes his camp, I don't think you are missing out on anything with not doing speciality camps. If he was really into a sport like soccer or swimming, I could see how that experience could deepen those skill sets. But otherwise, not a big deal and sounds like you've solved summer. Kudos!

OP here. The regular day camp I pay for around $500/week is the same cost as specialty camp I am looking at, so I am not saving any money. Some of those regular day camp also have options for day camp with a special interest twist with similar structures, but he says no. I feel like other kids are learning something new or strengthening some interests, unlike him. I want him to expose to other interests.

Instead of asking about specialty camps, have you just asked if he'd want to try X activity? My kids jumped at the chance to do battle camp (fencing and archery) and pottery camp. But they probably would have rejected a request to try a "specialty."

Let him be happy at camp. He might change his mind when he gets older.

I bet you are saving money! Don’t sweat it, the specialty camps usually aren’t worth their higher fees.

Anonymous wrote:There is plenty of time for specialty camps later. Mine weren’t interested before 4th grade either, now it’s all they want. But at age 7- a good day camp is perfect! And it’s so much easier for working parents to have a consistent routine!

+1 at 7 consistent routine and relaxed fun are great. In a couple years he'll likely want more, or not depending on how the camp is organized.

My DS's favorite day camp had different themes each week but was the same basic structure. At 7 it was a lot of play, crafts, pool visits and water play. He would do as many weeks there as we could get (it was a very popular camp and could never get the whole summer). Started at age 7 and never outgrew it because they were so good at adapting to the interests of the kids as they got older. He attended until he aged out, then was a volunteer CIT and then a paid counselor. He loved that place.

There is plenty of time for specialty camps later. Mine weren’t interested before 4th grade either, now it’s all they want. But at age 7- a good day camp is perfect! And it’s so much easier for working parents to have a consistent routine!

Anonymous wrote:I have talked to other parents at school, and their kids are either going to be in specialty camps full summer or in some weeks of specialty camps. My rising 2nd grader (7.5 year old) is looking forward to his 10 weeks of regular summer day camps with no special interests. I tell him to try 1-2 weeks of specialty camps and he does not want it. I am the one paying money, and I want him to be happy. Therefore, I sign him up with what he wants. I tell him that I would sign him up for a few weeks of specialty camps next summer no matter what he says.

He tells me that he only wants day camps because he loves playground and does some craft and a little of bit of something. Anyone have kids like that?

Yes. I think it sounds like fun- weeks spent with no pressure other than to have fun, swim, do crafts. It stops at a certain age- my DD, age 10, is doing a mix of day camps with art and writing camps because that is her interest. But she does love her weeks at the day camp running around and swimming. My other DD, age 7, will only do day camps.

Petty vent. Just relax a little and let it be.

Yes, they’re well rounded. There’s nothing magical about specialty camps.

I have talked to other parents at school, and their kids are either going to be in specialty camps full summer or in some weeks of specialty camps. My rising 2nd grader (7.5 year old) is looking forward to his 10 weeks of regular summer day camps with no special interests. I tell him to try 1-2 weeks of specialty camps and he does not want it. I am the one paying money, and I want him to be happy. Therefore, I sign him up with what he wants. I tell him that I would sign him up for a few weeks of specialty camps next summer no matter what he says.

He tells me that he only wants day camps because he loves playground and does some craft and a little of bit of something. Anyone have kids like that?