School’s almost out, time for summer camp

Summer camps across New Jersey are gearing up for the upcoming season. And while traditional camps are still quite popular, specialty camps have become quite the trend over the past several years.

As for cost, it has remained steady.

"Families are not going to find sudden or astronomical increases or anything like that. Since the recession and the crisis in 2007, costs have been stable and camps are very conscious of that," said Susie Lupert, executive director of the American Camp Association of New York and New Jersey.

Traditional summer camps, which run the length of the summer and offer a variety of activities from swimming and sports to art, are still very well-attended. Over the past decade, there has been a spike in specialty camps where children can hone in and concentrate on specific interests.

"Whether it is art or tennis or something like building go-carts, parents will find that if their child is interested in something in particular, there is a camp for them," Lupert said.

The cost of summer camp varies greatly depending on the type of camp a child attends.

"There are camps that are free based on income, some cost $100 dollars a week and some that cost more than $1,000 a week," Lupert said. "A specialty camp may cost a couple hundred dollars a week or more or less depending on a family's income or whether or not their child is eligible for a scholarship.  Many camps do offer scholarships, so that plays into cost as well."

When it comes to finding a summer camp, Lupert recommends the following:

• Do your research;
• Make sure the philosophy and mission of the camp matches your own family values;
• Make sure you connect with the director.  You want to like the person who is in charge of your child;
• Make sure the camp has been reviewed and accredited by someone on the outside like the American Camp Association.

For more information on summer camp or to find a summer camp for your child, visit http://www.searchforacamp.org.