HUMAN RESOURCES at MIT

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Summer Camp Information

Finding a summer camp that is right for your child, your schedule, and your budget can be a challenge. There are a variety of program types with a wide range of application dates, but no single comprehensive camp listing. However, the Center offers a number of resources to help while this process is new to you, and to expand your knowledge as your child's needs and interests change.


Types of Camps
Summer camps may be day (part-day or full-day) or residential (overnight). Camps may be general, offering a variety of activities such as swimming, sports, games, crafts, and field trips, or specialty, with a special focus on music, art, drama, computer, science, nature, or soccer, tennis, or other sport. Academic enrichment programs offer supplementary coursework to older children in various subjects such as computers, math, science or foreign languages, sometimes in addition to general camp features. Special needs camps offer a general camp experience to children with special social, emotional, physical, or health needs.

Camps are run by a variety of organizations. Camps run by municipalities (town recreation departments or public schools) or by agencies (such as the Girl and Boy Scouts, YMCAs, Campfire Girls, etc.) tend to be lower-cost and to have later application schedules (mid- to late spring). Private camps run independently or by private institutions (preschools, private schools, universities, museums, conservation organizations, etc.) tend to fill earlier (early winter through spring) and tend to be more expensive, but may offer scholarship help.

Camps may also be accredited by the American Camping Association of New England. Accreditation is a voluntary process involving outside verification of compliance with roughly 300 standards relating to health and safety, management, personnel, programming, and facilities.


Age Groups
There are camps to serve children of all ages, from around age 4 (and younger) to 17 (and older), but age cut-offs differ for individual camps. Programs for children under 6 years or over 12 or 13 years tend to be more specialized. Be sure to find out how children are grouped -- both in terms of group size and age range -- to see if a particular camp is likely to meet your child's needs.


Schedules
Program schedules vary from half-day to "full day," which may still provide a shorter day than needed by a working parent. Before- and after-camp child care may also be available, usually at additional cost.

Camp sessions may run anywhere from one to four weeks in length. For parents seeking camp for the full summer, it is important to note that a few camps discourage children from registering for multiple sessions, while others do not. Also, be aware that only a few camps begin their sessions before the end of June, and only a few offer programs beyond the second week of August.


Questions to Ask When Selecting a Camp
(Adapted from a list prepared by the American Camping Association of New England)

What kinds of opportunities and experiences will your child have?

What kind of supervision will your child have?

Will your child be in a safe and healthy environment?

Will the camp be a good match for my child?

Will the camp meet my needs?

MIT-sponsored Summer Programs for Children and Teens

Resources to Help Locate a Summer Program for Your Child or Teen

Residential/Overnight Camp Referral Services

Other Sources of Information Regarding Summer Camps