Traditonal summer camp or specialty camp?

Every summer, more than 250,000 New York children go to day or resident camps and enjoy learning life skills, making new friends and trying new activities. Now more than ever, there are so many different camps to choose from, including traditional summer camps and specialty camps. What is the difference between the two, and how do you know which one is best for your child?

A traditional summer camp gives your child a well-rounded experience. Children participate in a variety of activities, such as baseball, swimming, arts and crafts, waterskiing, canoeing and much more. They’ll learn leadership skills, resilience and independence as they become part of a community. Bunk activity days, a carnival, Olympics and color wars are a few traditional summer camp activities.

When a child attends a specialty camp, she’ll focus on a specific activity. There are specialty camps for just about every interest, including tennis, drama, gymnastics, basketball, etc. If your child has an interest in a specialized activity, there is bound to be a camp geared toward that interest.

So how do you know which is best for your child?

Consider her age. Young children often don’t show a specific interest in just one activity, because they are still figuring out what interests them. A traditional camp gives children the opportunity to try many different activities and develop many different skills. Often, older children and teenagers have narrowed down their interests to a particular sport or activity. Either a specialty camp or a traditional camp that offers focused programs in an activity that interests her might be the right fit. Traditional camps often hire top athletic coaches to teach as specialists so campers receive top instruction.

Also, keep in mind your child’s interests. Does she play basketball, but also perform in school plays? If so, she might enjoy a more varied day and may prefer a traditional camp, so she can participate in many activities. Or, does she focus on one activity or skill? In that case, she may prefer a specialty camp, so she can concentrate on her passion.

At the end of the day, keep in mind what your child would like, and what you would like for your child.

“Parents should consider the whole child when choosing a summer camp,” says Adam Weinstein, executive director of the American Camp Association’s New York and New Jersey branches. “They should think about all they would like their child to gain at camp. Consider a camp’s leadership, mission, and activities. These all support a positive camp experience.”

Whether you’re considering a traditional summer camp or a specialty camp, there is a summer camp for every child.

The American Camp Association has been serving the camp community and families for 100 years. To find the right camp for your child, visit www.campwizard.org, or call (800) 777-CAMP for free, one-on-one advice in finding a summer camp. American Camp Association-accreditation is a parent’s best evidence of a camp’s commitment to health and safety, and ensures that children are provided with a diversity of educational and developmentally-challenging learning opportunities.

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Rodeph Sholom School Day Camp

<p>Rodeph Sholom School Day Camp is devoted to celebrating the joys of childhood. Our enthusiastic and compassionate staff are dedicated to providing a memorable, safe, and fun summer experience where children pursue passions while gaining new experiences. Our thoughtful, age appropriate programming enables children to grow as individuals and make lifelong friendships.</p> <p>This Summer, we believe kids need camp more than ever!</p> <p>More friendships than ever!</p> <p>More community building than ever!</p> <p>More connection making than ever!</p> <p>More activities than ever!</p> <p>More joy than ever!</p> <p>More ruach (spirit) than ever!</p> <p>More camp magic than ever! </p> <p>More FUN THAN EVER! </p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Who We Are</strong></p> <p>Rodeph Sholom School Day Camp engages children <strong>ages Three through 6th Grade</strong> through experiences that help build a positive sense of self, strong peer relationships, skill development in a range of areas, exposure to new and existing passions.</p> <p>We are a strong community that celebrates each individual. Our camp feels like home to all of our campers and staff.</p> <p><strong>Our Mission</strong></p> <p>Our strong culture and community allows each child to discover new passions, create life-long friendships, and find a strong sense of belonging</p> <p><strong>Pursuit of Passion Elective Program</strong></p> <p>All of our rising 1st through 6th graders will have a two-hour long elective period daily, which is a chance to pursue an old or new passion. At the beginning of each two week session, campers have a chance to sign up for their Pursuit of Passion elective, or if they’d like, they can sign up for a mix of two passions to explore. After their Pursuit of Passion period ends in the morning, campers will return to their bunk group for a day full of sports, arts, swim, and more.</p> <p><strong>Possible Pursuits of Passion programs include:</strong></p> <p>- Sports (Floor Hockey, Soccer, Basketball, Skateboarding, Gymnastics, etc.)</p> <p>- Chess</p> <p>- Woodworking</p> <p>- Studio Arts</p> <p>- Hebrew</p> <p>- Performance Arts</p> <p>- Music (Rock band, DJing, Acapella)</p> <p>- Cooking</p> <p>- Business and Debate</p> <p>- Outdoor Adventure</p> <p>- Architecture</p> <p>- STEM Based Programming</p>

New Settlement Community Center

<p>Offering a host of healthy, fun and exciting programs for children ages 6 months and up, including ballet and hi-hop dance with Alvin Ailey, group and private swimm classes, mixed martial arts, youth technology, piano, violin and guitar lessons, and more.</p>

Aviator Sports Summer Day Camp

<p>Aviator Sports Summer Day Camp offers five daily rotating activities such as swimming, ice skating gymnastics, rock climbing, parkour, indoor/outdoor turf, and courts plus more in its ample 175,000 sq. ft. facility and 35-acre outdoor area. Aviator Summer Camp also offers off-site and on-site field trips such as a day at Green Meadows Farm, Launch Trampoline Park, and a Brooklyn Cyclones game. The summer camp runs from 9 am-5 pm with early drop off and late stay available. Bus transportation is also available throughout Brooklyn. Lunch and an afternoon snack are included. Sign up by February 28th to receive up to $300 off camp with early bird discounts.</p>