The general manager of YMCA Camps and Youth Engagement says a good place for parents and guardians to start when choosing the ideal summer camp is to determine when exactly they want their children to attend.
“We start our registration the first week of January,” said Lisa Stiver. “It depends on how picky parents are about the dates. They’ll want to register early if they want their first choice.”
Stiver said while some programs offered by the YMCA are already full, there are still plenty of summer day programs and overnight camps available for children between six and 17 years old and of all abilities.
Stiver said a great resource for parents and guardians is the B.C. Camping Association’s website (bccamping.org), which lists accredited camps across the province. The association is the governing body that ensures quality camps play an integral part in the development of children, youth and adults and contribute to healthy communities.
The BCCA achieves this by maintaining and promoting safety standards through volunteer-driven accreditation. While all camps must meet the legislated standards within their province, an accredited camp meets additional requirements relating to its property, facility, administration, leadership, health, food service and programs determined by the provincial association.
According to the BCCA, the maximum term a camp may be accredited is four years, but that only applies to the operation as seen at the time of the visit. Additional visits may be required if there are any significant changes to programs, staff, management, the board of directors, ownership and the facility.
Stiver said the association’s search engine can help parents and guardians narrow down their choices. Parents can choose between religious and non-religious camps and themes ranging from environmental learning to leadership to outdoor recreation and sports to specialty camps for kids living with chronic, life-threatening or debilitating conditions.
Day campers at the YMCA participate in sports, games, boating, archery, high and low ropes, arts and crafts, themes days and other special events. Overnight camps of varying lengths, depending on the age of the child, are also available at the YMCA-operated Camp Elphinstone. The YMCA has been offering overnight camps for more than 100 years. The Y also offers spring break camps and day camps for school professional development days.
“Parents will want to look for camps that have the same philosophy or values they do and then it depends on what their child is interested in,” said Stiver.
Tips for parents
The Canadian Camping Association has tips about choosing the right summer camp:
- Talking to your children about the programs they’re interested in, where they’d like to go, how long they’d like to stay and if they’re comfortable going alone or if they’d prefer to go with a friend.
- Talk to friends, family and neighbours whose children have attended camp previously or who attended camp themselves when they were younger.
- Contact your provincial camping association and visit their website at bccamping.org. Attend local camp information sessions or fairs.
- Make a shortlist of possible camps and visit their websites.
- Compile a list of questions and call the camp director.
- Ask if it’s possible to tour the camp facility before making a final decision.
