For Day Camps:

Start with the easiest sources first. Referrals are (of course) a great starting point; however, just because a friend is going to a particular camp doesn’t mean it will be the right choice for your child. Some basic research is usually afforded by local parenting papers (i.e. Big Apple Parent) which feature summer program listings for your area. Camp websites can give you a helpful feel; an on- site tour and/or conversation with the camp director will be that much more helpful.

Have a criteria list. Especially if you’re doing the research on your own, consider key criteria like program offerings, length of the day, general vs. specialty focus, tuition, nature of staff and camp philosophy.

Pay for it tax free: Some companies have Flexible Spending Accounts that cover day camps, so check to see if you can be reimbursed out of your account. If not, you may be eligible for a dependent care credit for part of the tuition (ask your accountant or check IRS Publication 503 and Form 2441).

For Sleep-Away Camps:

First, assess if they are ready. How? Some good barometers (besides what they happen to be telling you themselves): Do they handle sleepovers well? Are they bored with day camp activities, ready to continue the day when they return home? Can they care for themselves physically? Are new situations comfortable for them?

Doing your research is even more vital here. There are some great resources on this front about which we’ve written before, from a comprehensive on-line directory like kidscamps.com to the American Camp Association’s website, which offers even more detailed criteria for selecting a camp and a good research starting point for finding the right camp for your child.

www.acacamps.org

And, always good to know: excellent professional help exists in this area as the ultimate shortcut.

If you're looking for that kind of help, it's important to know the difference between a camp referral service and a camp advisor:

Camp referral services have the benefit of being free to the family; the downside is they are paid by the camps and thus refer based on the camps with which they work.

Camp advisors do charge a consulting fee to the parents, but the best ones function as “personal shoppers” who work one-on-one with families. These camp advisors, like Jill Tipograph of Everything Summer, personally interview families and then provide customized and targeted summer selections to meet each child's needs and interests. Even if you have a child who is an experienced camper, as they mature and needs change, an advisor can help you find the right new program-- even a "combination" summer of different program types.

Another useful thing to bear in mind: a camp advisory service like this one can take the idea of service beyond camp selection; Everything Summer, for instance, offers actual personal shopping for camp clothes and accessories as well as packing assistance. Happy Camping.

Learn more at everythingsummer.com or call 866-995-1122