A Parents Guide To Choosing A Local Summer Camp In Parkland

Summer camp is an excellent way to keep your children entertained, provide them with learning experiences, and make fond memories while they are out of school. However, it’s important to choose a local summer camp that is well-run, offers a high-quality experience, and prioritizes your children’s safety. Yet, with so many summer camps available, it can be difficult for parents to know which to choose.

Fortunately, there are some best practices to follow that help you decide which camp is right for your family. We’ve compiled them all into our Parents’ Guide to Choosing a Local Summer Camp in Parkland,, to help you make your decision.

Consider Your Child’s Age

Your child is likely to be most comfortable going to camp with other children near their age. Some summer camps accept a wide range of ages and separate children into groups for certain activities, while others cater to a narrower age range. At Parkland Children’s Academy, our summer camp accepts children ages 5-12.

Here are some age-related questions that may be helpful to ask when choosing a local summer camp.

• Are children divided into groups by age?
• Is there a minimum or maximum age to participate in some activities?
• What is your approach to facilitating positive interactions between children of different ages?
• During camp-wide activities, how do you ensure children of different ages stay safe and have a good time?

Why Consider Our Local Summer Camp?

There are many reasons to enroll your child in Parkland Children’s Academy’s summer program:​

• Day camps are suitable for most children.
• Your child comes home at the end of each day.
• Transportation may be available to and from some day camps.
• Some day camps offer before and after-care.
• Although Parkland Children’s Academy does, not all-day camps provide food. Be sure to ask whether you need to send lunch and snacks for your child.

Think About Session Length

Some families would like their children to enjoy a week or two of summer camp, while others prefer their children to spend the majority of summer at camp. What’s best for your family depends on your particular circumstances.

For example, do you want to spend the summer traveling, or do you have lots of plans for the kids during summer break? If so, a camp that only lasts for a week or two leaves plenty of time for other family plans.

On the other hand, if you work full-time and want a safe, fun place for your child to spend their days when school is out, a longer session is probably best. Longer sessions are also perfect for providing structure during the summer and preparing children for kindergarten.

What is Your Budget for a Local Summer Camp?

Summer camps run the gamut from free to thousands of dollars per session, so it’s important to think about your budget before choosing a summer camp. In addition to tuition, remember to consider extra expenses for things your child may need, such as:

• Camp clothing
• Meals
• Transportation to and from camp
• Fees for special outings
• Spending money
• Equipment or supplies

What Are the Requirements to Attend?

It’s common for summer camps to have specific requirements in order to attend. Be sure you are comfortable with these requirements and that your child meets them before applying. For example, a local summer camp may require:

• Up-to-date vaccinations
• A sports physical
• A swim test
• Local residency
• Certain age or grade level
• Mastery of specific skills

Ask About Local Day Camp Activities

One of the best things about summer camps is being able to participate in fun activities, but these can vary widely between camps. Some camps are structured exclusively around special interests, such as horseback riding, swimming, or gymnastics. Others offer a wider range of activities.

You should ask about activities when choosing a local summer camp to ensure your children get to participate in things they enjoy.

For instance, at Parkland Children’s Academy, we offer:

• Sports
• Games
• Educational activities
• Aquatics and water play
• Field trips
• Fun weekly themes
• The opportunity to try new hobbies and find new interests.

How Will the Camp Keep Your Child Safe?

As a parent, your child’s safety is your first priority. It’s important to find a local summer camp that feels the same way. Don’t be afraid to ask how the camp will keep your child safe. Here are some things to consider.

• Is the summer camp accredited?
• What is the staff-to-camper ratio?
• What security measures are in place?
• Is there a nurse on staff?
• What is the protocol for medical emergencies?
• How are staff trained?
• Do staff pass background checks?
• How do you keep children together during outings?

At Parkland Children’s Academy, we take your child’s safety seriously and employ a multitude of security measures to keep our campers safe. For example, children are always supervised by highly-qualified staff, and we require campers to wear Parkland Children’s Academy t-shirts during outings to easily identify our group. Our spaces also feature toxin-free playgrounds with Jonti-Craft furnishings. We additionally require security code access and fingerprint access for child drop-offs and pick-ups.

Choosing Parkland Children’s Academy as Your Local Summer Camp

Parkland Children’s Academy offers a fun and educational day camp to keep your children entertained this summer. Our caring and qualified staff create a welcoming, inclusive environment to ensure that every child has a positive summer camp experience.

If you would like to learn more about the local summer camp at Parkland Children’s Academy or would like to register your child for summer camp, contact us here or give us a call at (954) 688-5877.