Save money, be prepared and find the right place

This is the first in a series of articles written by Andrew Townsend, a local Camp Director, to help parents make plans for summer.

At the risk of inviting hate mail from already over stressed parents, I have to point out that summer is only a little over 4 months away and the time to start planning is now. I know we are only just putting away the holiday gift wrap but really there are some very good reasons to plan early for summer camp.

The first, and perhaps the most compelling, reason is cost savings. Many camps encourage early enrollment with discounts or incentives. Every camp has different deadlines for these discounts so be sure to check. In some cases, full payment is required in order to secure the discount so check the cancellation and change policy very carefully. Also, remember to ask if the early registration or payment discount can be combined with other discounts. Many camps offer discounts for siblings, multiple session enrollments, and camper referrals. Also, check with your HR department at work or with any associations you belong to. Some camps have discount arrangements with organizations and employers. Local camps with early registration discounts include:

AwesomeMath Camp to be held in 2010 at UCSC has a 10% discount for registrations postmarked by February 5th.

Mount Hermon Resident Camps offer discounts of around 5% with a deadline of March 15th

Kennolyn Camps has a deadline of March 1st for a 5% incentive.

Soundwall Summer Rock Music Camps, also at UCSC, has an early registration discount deadline of April 1st. In responding to questions for this article, Soundwall director Mike Williams offered an additional discount for anyone who contacts him and mentions Growing Up in Santa Cruz. Contact Mike at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Many camps have not yet published dates for 2010 so keep checking Growing Up In Santa Cruz for camp listings with 2010 registration and discount information.

Remember, it can be especially helpful to start early if you are seeking financial aid. Many camps have aid programs and most have seen big increases in deserving applications over the past couple of years. The earlier you apply, the more chance the camp will be able to help you.

The second reason to start camp sign ups early is the popularity of certain programs. While most camps don't fill up until late spring, many will have particular sessions or age groups that sell out early. Sarah Gnizac, Program Director at YMCA Camp Campbell in Boulder Creek, says that programs for older kids fill first. “If you have a teenager looking for a great summer program, you really do need to plan ahead.” New activities and programs can also be popular. Camp Campbell has added a teen disc golf program and a creative arts camp for 2010. More specialized camps also tend to fill early. Among Catalyst Soccer Camps' wide variety of skill building programs, it is their Advanced Scoring And Attacking and Goalkeeping specialties that will fill first according to Program Director David Frank. There's another great reason to sign up early according to Gnizac. “Most camps require paperwork and that might include a health history form signed by your child's doctor. Planning ahead allows you to schedule any required appointments and complete the mandatory forms without the last minute stress,” she said.

Finally, making plans early allows you and your child to prepare for the camp experience. As a camp director, I know that kids need time to prepare themselves to meet new people and enjoy unfamiliar surroundings. By making a camp commitment now you can watch for open house events at your camp, have a family routine of discussing camp life and expectations ahead of the summer, buy or borrow any useful (and sometimes required) items, and make sure your child is ready to make the most of the camp adventures you have chosen. If you want your child to make the most of summer camp, preparations made now can really pay off.

Websites of camps mentioned in this article:

AwesomeMath Camp                             www.awesomemath.org
Mount Hermon Resident Camps              www.mounthermon.org
Kennolyn Camps                                   www.kennolyn.com
Soundwall Summer Rock Music Camps    www.rockcamp.org
Camp Campbell                                    www.ymcasv.org/ymcacampcampbell/
Catalyst Soccer Camp                           www.catalystsoccer.com

Andrew Townsend is the Director of Kennolyn Camps in Soquel (www.kennolyn.com) and the immediate Past President of the American Camp Association, Northern California. He is a frequent speaker to groups of parents and camp directors. If you have questions about summer camp, send them to Andrew at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Questions of general interest may be answered in upcoming articles.
 

Make Plans Now for Summer Camp

By Andrew Townsend