| |
What Happens at Camp
Courtesy of the Manitoba Camping Association
Camps develop their own personality based on the nature of their site and the team of staff operating them. The following information gives general information about happens at camp:
Program
- From 2 to 6 activity sessions per day
- May include canoeing, swimming, wall climbing, horse-riding, sports, crafts, drama or other indoor or outdoor games and activities.
- Some camps focus on a single activity area while others offer a range of activities
- The option for campers to choose their activities varies from camp to camp
- Many camps will have some devotional or bible study time allocated in the program
- Camps should be able to provide parents with specific program information if they ask for it.
Length of Camp
- Junior camps may run for 2 or 3 days, while some senior camps offer programs over a number of weeks
- The standard length of a camp session is 5 to 10 days.
Sleeping Over
- Day camps do not offer sleep over as part of their regular programming
- Residential camps are sleep over camps
- Accommodation is in cabins, tents, tepees, wagons or other arrangements
- There are usually 8 to 16 people per cabin, tent etc
Camp Size
- Land area can be as small as 5 acres and as large as a national park.
- Groups range from 30 to 150 or more campers.
Meals
- Residential camps provide all meals and base their menu on Health Canada diet guidelines and the needs of campers in attendance
- Day camps may or may not have a meal option
- All camps give children access to drinking water at all times
- Some camps have a canteen or truck for purchase of snacks.
How to Select a Camp
There is no 'best' camp, but there may be a best camp for your family. We recommend the following:
- Parents should work with their child/ren to determine their preferences in terms of:
- What activities they want to do at camp
- The size of the camp (options range from 30 to 150 or more campers)
- Coed or single gender camps
- The age range of campers - some camps focus on a narrow age range while others will have 6-16 year olds at camp at the same time
- The length of time they will be at camp.
- You need to consider:
- The value you place on 'Accreditation' (see Standards & Accreditation)
- How much you would like to pay for the camp
- Whether you need the camp to provide transportation
- Does your child have any special needs
- Information on a range of camps is available from The Manitoba Camping Association:
- For a copy of the Annual Directory of Camps, Phone 204 784 1130 or Email them to request one.
- To see the Internet Directory go here.
- Compare a range of camps to the priorities you have for your childs camp experience and short list those that are the closest match.
- Contact the camp to find out if space is available and to ask any additional questions you may have (including registration processes).
You should then have an idea as to your first two or three preferences. Now all you have to do is register for your first preference.
The Manitoba Camping Association recommends choosing an Accredited Camp.
Camp and Children with Special Needs
Special needs may be:
- Behavioural such as ADD, ADHD or reported difficulties in a group environment
- Developmental such as a younger mental age to chronological age
- Physical such as poor balance or fine motor skills or need for a walking aid etc
- Medical such as allergies, asthma or other condition.
If your child has health or other special needs, help them succeed at camp
- Providing good information to the camp so they know what to expect and how to care for your child
- Minimising any changes in the childs routine for while they are at camp (eg. do not suspend medication for the camp experience).
Information you should provide the camp includes:
- What are the situations or triggers that lead to onset or worsening of the situation
- What are the early warning signs or onset or worsening
- What the camp should do in response (eg immediate treatment with medication, give a 'time-out' etc)
- At what point the camp should contact you or emergency services.
All children should have the opportunity to attend a camp, but sometimes that means finding the right camp for your child. Please contact the Manitoba Camping Association if you are having difficulties finding a camp that meets your childs needs.
Sunshine Fund
Families who have enjoyed the camp experience and would like to help another child have the same opportunity can help by donating to the Sunshine Fund. 100% of donations go directly to paying camp fees for children from low-income families.
For more information, or to make a donation -
Parents having difficulty paying camp fees should also contact the Sunshine Fund.
Related Articles:
What Happens at Camp
Summer Camp SuperGuide 2010 Directory
Beyond Tents and Campfires - Camp Teaches Life Skills
Five Reasons Your Child Needs Camp
To the top
|
| |
|
