Summer Camps | Summer Camp Information | Summer Camp Database | Summer Camp Briefings

Summer Camp Information Guide

• Types of Camps
• Age Groups
• Schedules
• Questions to Ask When Selecting a Camp
• Resources to Help Locate a Summer Program for Your Child or Teen
• Summer Youth Programs on the MIT Campus
• Science and Engineering Programs for Teens
• English as a Second Language (ESL) Summer Programs and Camps
• Residential/Overnight Camp Referral Services
• Additional Resources for Locating Summer Camps
  
  
  

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, YMCA's, 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. 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)

What kinds of opportunities and experiences will your child have?

• What is the camp philosophy; what are the objectives of the camp?

• Is the camp program varied, well-balanced, and flexible enough to fit the individual camper's need for self-expression?

• What is the pace of the day? Does it include free times, rest periods, and choice?

• Are there opportunities to learn new skills and develop old ones?

• How are children grouped by age? gender?

• Are there opportunities for positive peer interactions?

• Does the camp maintain a high level of physical and emotional well-being?

• Is there an opportunity for developing leadership?
  
  

What kind of supervision will your child have?

• Does the camp director possess strong camp experience and a solid understanding of children?

• Are the counselors mature (at least 19 years of age), well-trained and experienced?

• In a specialty camp, what level of expertise does the staff have in the specialty?

• Is each camp counselor responsible for no more than eight campers?

• Could your child readily turn to the camp counselors for guidance?

• OVERNIGHT CAMPS: Does the director have certain hours during which he or she may be contacted? Will the director call if there are problems?
  
  

Will your child be in a safe and healthy environment?

• Is the camp site free from serious physical hazards?

• What accident prevention methods are practiced? (fire, waterfront, use of equipment)

• Is there one person completely responsible for your child's welfare at all times?

• Are the eating facilities sanitary and are the meals well-planned?

• Is food prepared and stored under safe conditions?

• Is the water supply safe, regularly tested, and adequate for bathing and drinking?

• Is there adequate provision for medical attention, including a registered nurse in attendance? a doctor readily available? a well-equipped infirmary?

• Is there adequate protection from communicable disease?

• Are there sanitary methods for sewage and garbage disposal?

• OVERNIGHT CAMPS: Are sleeping facilities well-spaced, comfortable and well-ventilated? Is enough time allowed for sleep?
  
  

Will the camp be a good match for my child?

• What are your child's special needs? (Security; discipline; group living experience; independence; group awareness; any physical condition?)

• Can your child's needs be met best in a general camp or in a camp specially designed for children with similar needs?

• OVERNIGHT CAMPS: Is your child ready to leave home?
  
  

Will the camp meet my needs?

• What is the tuition? Are there other expenses? Is there a refund policy?

• What are the camp hours? Are extended hours available?

• Does the camp provide transportation, or assist with carpools?

• Have you had an interview with the camp director or counselors?

• Have you visited the camp?

• Have you talked with parents of children who have attended the camp?

• Have you talked with children who have been to the camp?
  
  
  

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

• MIT Center for Work, Family and Personal Life Camp Database
  Searchable on-line database offering program descriptions, schedules and costs for over 500 day camps in the greater-Boston area. Co-managed by the Child Care Resource Center, Inc.
• ACA New England Directory
  On-line directory of day and residential camps accredited by the American Camping Association. Hard copies available from the Center or the ACA.
• Boston Guide to Youth Services
  Listing of events, activities, and recreation, education, and human service programs sponsored by Boston Community Centers.
• Boston Summer Stuff for Middle School and High School Students
  Information on sports, jobs, courses, internships, volunteer opportunities, recreation programs, projects, and activities for Boston youth, produced by the Boston Public Schools. Copies available from the Center.
• Cambridge Summer Resource Guide
  Listing of Cambridge programs and services offered by the Cambridge Department of Human Service Programs, for Cambridge residents and others.
• Frost's Summer Camp Guide
  Listings of day and overnight camps throughout the U.S. , plus camp-related information.
• Peterson 's Summer Opportunities for Kids and Teenagers
  Information available at www.petersons.com/summerop/
  Book offering detailed descriptions of selected national and international camps and programs, including academic enrichment, gifted and talented, foreign study, special needs, internships, jobs, and community service. Reference copy available in the Family Resource Center.
• Summer Fund Program List (camp scholarships and lower-cost camps in the Boston-area)
  State-wide listing of day and overnight camps that are funded by the United Way and offer lower-cost and free services. Published by Associated Grantmakers of Massachusetts, Inc.

Summer Youth Programs on the MIT Campus or affiliated with MIT

• MIT Day Camp
  W32-123, (617) 253-2913
  Day camp operated by the MIT Athletic Department for children ages 6 to 13 years (campers must have been born between 6/18/1993 and 6/18/2001), offering four two-week sessions from late June through mid-August. Registration forms available beginning in February/March.
• Camp Kaleidoscope
  66 Winthrop Street, Cambridge (University Lutheran Church, Harvard Square)
  Contact: Michael Nagle, (617) 571-1369, kaleidoscope@mit.edu
  Summer day camp (one-week sessions all summer) for 6-13 year-olds, offering electronics, robotics, taking things apart, making computer games, liquid nitrogen ice cream, lasers, drawing/painting, kite-making, tie-dye, photography, screen printing, computer animation, plus weekly swimming and field trips. Staff are MIT students and alums with experience as teachers and as tutors.
• MIT Summer Youth Programs (MIT Educational Outreach)
  Listing of summer youth programs sponsored by MIT departments, produced by MIT's Council on Primary and Secondary Education.
• MITE 2 S (Minority Introduction to Engineering, Entrepreneurship, and Science)
  A residential academic enrichment summer program for high school juniors who are interested in studying and exploring careers in science, engineering, and entrepreneurship.
• Women's Technology Program
  Sponsored by the MIT Dept. of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, WTP is an academically rigorous four-week residential summer program to introduce high school girls EECS in the summer after their 11 th grade year. (Admission is competitive.)
• You GO Girl!
  Sponsored by the Edgerton Center and the Center for Environmental Health Sciences at MIT, the 4 day program provides an opportunity for 8th grade girls to experiment with hands-on science in a laboratory, and to explore career and high school options.

Not MIT Affiliated

• iD Tech Camps
  An independent camp organization, iD Tech Camps offer weeklong day and overnight summer technology camps for students ages 7-17 on a number of U.S. campuses, including at MIT. For the 2007 season, iD Tech Camps will be available at MIT from June 25th through August 10th. For more information, you can contact them at info@internaldrive.com.
• Cybercamps
  Cybercamps offers a day camp with an academic program focusing on computer programming, digital arts and robotics. Multiple 5 day sessions are offered throughout the summer for students ages 7-18 on a number of U.S. campuses, including MIT. MIT families can save $50 on their first week of Cybercamps and $100 off each additional week by using the promotional code PA47PDC when registering online.

Science and Engineering Programs for Teens

• Engineers Dedicated to a Better Tomorrow
  A nation-wide listing of summer programs and camps in science and technology for teens, sponsored by non-profit professional group.
• A Guide to High School Programs in Science and Engineering
  A nation-wide listing of high school programs in science and technology, including summer camps, sponsored by MIT's Tau Beta Pi.

English as a Second Language (ESL) Summer Programs and Camps

• Fay Summer School
  Southborough , MA
  Coed residential and day academic program with a focus on enrichment or remediation classes for students seeking to advance or strengthen their skill base.
• The Fessenden School Summer ESL Program
  West Newton , MA
  Coed residential academic program, outdoor program and cultural program with a focus on English as a Second Language instruction.
• Newman School Summer Session
  Boston , MA
  Coed day academic program that offers English as a Second Language.
• Phillips Academy Summer Session
  Andover , MA
  Coed residential and day academic program with a focus on academic enrichment. Offers English as a Second Language.
• Summer Summit on Leadership
  Chestnut Hill , MA
  Girls' residential community service program and cultural program that offers English as a Second Language.

Residential/Overnight Camp Referral Services

• ACA (American Camping Association) Overnight Camp Referral Service/N.E. Chapter
  214 North Main Street, Suite 104 , Natick , MA 01760 , (508) 647-2267
  Free personal guidance in choosing among ACA accredited overnight camps.
• Student Camp & Trip Advisors
  Beverly Shiffman, President
  181 Wells Avenue, Suite 203 , Newton , MA 02459 , (617) 558-7005
  National organization headquartered in Newton offering free guidance in the selection of teen camps, community service opportunities, outdoor adventure trips, summer schools in the US and abroad, and travel or study programs worldwide.
• National Camp Association , Camp Advisory Service
  1-800-966-CAMP, or (617) 825-8825
  National organization offering free guidance in the selection of accredited camps, teen camps, learning disabilities programs, weight reduction programs, tours and overseas programs.
• Cambridge Camping Association
  99 Bishop Allen Drive , Cambridge , MA 02139 , (617) 864-0960
  Free overnight and day camp placement service for lower-income Greater Boston families.

Additional Resources for Locating Summer Camps

• Town Park and Recreation Departments and School Departments
  Call town or city hall to find out what summer programs may be offered in your community.
• Newspaper Listings
  Both the Boston Globe and the monthly Boston Parents' Paper offer seasonal camp listings.
• Local Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies
  Contact area child care resource and referral agencies for information about campership programs that offer financial assistance to income-eligible families in several communities.