Los Angeles Summer Day Camps and Sleepaway Camps for 2015. Which is better for my child?
Let's explore the differences between L.A. day camps and sleepaway camps so you have the right information to help your child have the best summer EVER!
You'd be surprised how often parents ask us whether they should pick a summer day camp or overnight camp for their kids. Our answer is generally the same every time -- it really depends on your child.
But before we get into specifics about whether a day or overnight camp is right for you, it may help to explore the difference between these two types of summer camps in case you're unfamiliar.
What's the Difference Between Day Camps and Overnight Camps?
The primary difference between these two types of summer camps is the way they operate with respect to how kids attend the camp. At day camps, kids generally arrive in the morning on a bus or van, spend the day participating in various activities with their counselors and fellow campers, then return home in the late afternoon. Most day camps in the L.A. area run from about 9am to 4pm Monday through Friday during the summer.
Conversely, at sleepaway camps, campers leave home (sometimes for weeks at a time) to actually live at camp where they sleep in cabins, tents or bunks with their camp counselors and other campers. They may enjoy both daytime and nighttime activities and eat meals in mess-halls. Sleepaway camps are also referred to as "resident camps" and "overnight camps" -- it's just personal preference as to what you call them.
Which Kind of Camp is Right for Me?
Now that you understand the main differences between sleepaway camps and day camps, we can look at some criteria that may help you make the right choice. In any case, there's a wide selection of both kinds of summer camps in Los Angeles so the likelihood of picking one your child likes is high.
Los Angeles Summer Day Camps
First, if this summer will be your first child's first camp experience, a summer day camp may be more appropriate. Attending a day camp is often a good way for kids to "ease into" spending time away from home, especially for younger ones who may be prone to homesickness or have not spent time away from their parents for extended periods. Day camps may also be favorable among older kids and teens who enjoy spending time with other kids their own age during the day, but want their nights and weekends free.
Los Angeles Sleepaway Camps
For older kids (especially those who've attended camp before),a sleepaway camp can be a great choice. However, if your child is prone to homesickness or has not spent too much time away from home without you, it's a good idea to think twice. Many sleepaway camps have strict policies of not allowing kids to call home or speak with their parents while at camp even if the child is homesick, so be prudent here. We suggest only sending your child to an overnight summer camp if you think they're emotionally ready to do so.
What are Some Good L.A. Day Camps?
This is a tough question to answer because every child's different. Camper "A" may love one camp, while Camper "B" dislikes the same one. We suggest reading a recent blog post about how to choose the best Los Angeles summer camps for 2015.
What are Some Good L.A. Sleepaway Camps?
As mentioned above, it's very hard to say what the "best" camps are because it's so subjective. If your daughter has her heart set on attending a ski or snowboarding camp, but you send her to cooking camp instead, then it probably won't matter if you picked the best ski and snowboarding camp in the world because that's not what your daughter wanted in the first place. Instead, we suggest asking your kids what kinds of camps might interest them this summer and start from there. In the meantime, here's an article which may help you find the best camp in Los Angeles for you.
