It depends. Sleepaway camp for some is a rite of passage, and many can’t imagine their adolescent lives without it. Meanwhile, day camps are often more affordable and flexible. We can assure you that at either camp, your child is likely to make lifelong friends. So the right choice comes down to your child’s unique personality, goals, and schedule. If you are still unsure about the answer for your family, a personal family assistant can help.
What is a personal family assistant?
A personal family assistant is like a personal assistant or personal concierge, but focused on supporting a family with day-to-day administrative tasks and errands. This includes but is not limited to planning family vacations, preparing for seasonal sports, and supporting busy parents with their ever-growing to-do lists.
For over two decades, we have also helped families find and book the perfect summer camps for their children. It takes experience, research, and time to not only secure a child’s spot at these camps, but also find one that’s the right fit. One big decision to make is whether a day camp or a sleepaway camp is best. To help make this decision for your child, we’ve listed some pros and cons of a sleepaway camp so you can determine if it is a good fit for your family.
What are the Pros of a sleepaway camp?
- Increased Community Building: Your kids are sharing cabin space with a half-dozen others, and they quickly learn how to live cooperatively.
- Lasting Friendships: When you spend all day, every day for a whole summer with your
bunkmates, your child is likely to walk away with friendships that won’t ever fade away. - Increased Independence: Most kids who go to sleepaway camp return home far more
confident and with higher self-esteem than before they left home. - Disconnected: Many sleepaway camps don’t allow the use of cell phones and the internet. This gives your child the opportunity to learn all of the ways they can have fun and learn without being plugged in.
What are the Cons of a sleepaway camp?
- Separation Anxiety: It’s tough to be away from your family and friends. Only the parents can make the right decision on whether their child is ready and willing to do this.
- Age: Some kids might not be ready for sleepaway camp at 7, but others definitely are. Again, this decision is best made by the caregivers.
- Medical Concerns: If your child needs regular medical attention, there may not be facilities or professionals within proximity of your child’s sleepaway camp.
- Cost: It’s no secret that sleepaway camps are much pricier than day camps.
When is the best time to book a sleepaway camp?
In our experience, most summer camps open their registration in the wintertime (December-February). That means you should have your top list of summer camps ready before the holidays so you can take advantage of early-bird discounts and get priority registration if available. The most popular camps, as well as specialized camps, often fill up fast, so it’s crucial to book early.
Whether you choose day camps or sleepaway camps, utilizing Simplified’s family assistant services can help you find options, secure spots, and make the summer a memorable one.
Learn more about working with your own personal family assistant.