Even with this final arctic blast reaching down into Alabama, I am thinking warm thoughts and looking forward to summertime in the south. While patiently waiting for the warm days ahead, it’s a great time to get your summer days for the kids all planned out.
Is this the summer for sleepaway camp for your little explorer? Do you have a camper who can’t choose one camp and would much rather attend multiple local day camps? Or, are your little ones not quite ready to leave the nest and go to camp, but you are looking for something unique that gives your children a similar experience? Whatever your camp and summer planning needs are, you have come to the right place.
In this month’s edition, you will find our 2025 Summer Camp Guide, featuring local and regional camps and what they offer families. Also included are various camp-focused articles that encourage parents to explore their own children’s readiness for camp and advice on how to prepare their kids for camp. In the feature article, Happy Campers: Tips to Help Children with their First Camp Experience, the author gives some important preparational steps to consider when sending your camper off for the first time. Simple suggestions like practicing your home address and phone number…just in case…and working on those hard-to-zip zippers or buttons on pants and jackets. Helping your little one navigate the small things will make a big difference in their confidence on the first day of camp. Also, role-playing how to greet someone new and easy ways to make new friends will go a long way on that first day. After all, meeting new people can bring anxiety, but coming away with just one new friend can feel like a successful day at camp.
Sleepaway camp is a big step for some children, and they may not be ready to fly from the nest yet. What if your child is not quite ready to pack a bag and move into a bunk for a week or two, but wants to have a similar summer experience? Time to get creative and think outside the box. Check out 10 Fun Alternative to Overnight Camp to help spark your imagination. One great idea is to pick a few local day camps with a variety of themes. Choose from STEM or nature camps to pickleball or piano. You’re sure to find a camp that fits your camper. Or, how about a unique summer where they volunteer with VBS, youth parks and rec programs, or at the library? They will learn new things this summer and be more confident in their ability to soon step out and soar.
From one parent to another, start planning your children’s summer activities early. After all, the early birds get the camps they want, and sometimes early bird discounts too.
