The end of the course is approaching, the time of the year in which most parents look for the Summer Camp more suitable for our kids. First of all, it must be a place where they have fun and make new friends, but there are also other issues that we should take into account when choosing.
If you are in the process of searching and choosing a camp, colony or summer school (as you want to call it) we give you some useful tips That will help you decide.
Think about your child's tastes
Today there are for all ages and for all tastes. The level of specialization has reached the top. There are urban, sports, cooking, theater, dance, languages, music or ecological, among many other offers.
It is essential that the theme you choose matches your child's hobbies. Sometimes it is not as close as we would like or the schedules are not the most convenient for us, but we must listen to your preferences. Invest some time in the search that you will surely find something ideal for your little one.
From what age?
As I said before, there are offers for all ages, but in the case of the smallest, it is you who knows better than anyone if your little one is prepared to attend a summer camp or not.
There are 3-year-old children who are mature enough and unwrapped, but it is also normal for others at the same age to suffer separation distress or feel insecure. Not all children are equal and will also depend a lot on the environment and what the workshop offers.
What to ask before registering them?
You must inform yourself of activity program to make sure they are suitable for your child's age, as well as the way in which the groups will be divided (by hobbies, by ages, etc.). Ideally, groups of children of the same age, or similar, be assembled.
Of course, also inform yourself about the staff that will take care of your child (they must be qualified monitors), as well as the necessary health coverage in case of an accident.
Know the place
It is also important visit the facilities and supervise that they have the basic safety requirements for children. That there are bars in the pools, that the entry and exit of children is controlled, that there are shaded spaces, cleaning of bathrooms, etc.
If the child also stays to eat, ask to know the kitchen and the dining room and find out about the menu they offer, or if it is possible to bring food home.
Yes they go on excursions and the child must be transferred by bus, find out which company is responsible for the transport, if the vehicles have seat belts and if a companion goes to the care of the children. In addition, you must also have mandatory passenger insurance (SOV).
"Homemade" options
A very interesting option that is becoming fashionable in recent years is that of camps in urbanizations. There are companies that organize camps for groups of 10 or 15 children in their own urbanization, with the great advantage that they do not need to leave home.
If you cannot afford to pay for a summer camp, another more informal possibility is to combine with a friend, neighbor or trusted person and organize a “home” camp. One takes care of the children of the two a week, and the following week, the other.
Legal aspects
May they give you the total offer price, including all kinds of extra expenses such as transportation, dining or extended hours. Avoid surprises.
If you make a reservation and pay a signal, find out about the conditions of the reservation and demand a receipt, even if it is deducted from the final amount.
When paying, make sure that the name and full address of the person responsible for the offer appears on the invoice.
Photos | iStockphoto
In Babies and more | Summer camps: useful tips to choose from, Summer camps: what you should know before targeting your child
