What Type of Summer Camp Would You Send Your Child To?

Not sure I would want my 3 year old on a school bus to go to camp. I own a preschool and also run summer camp at my center. We do change up the classrooms for summer, change the program, change the teachers, etc. So it is more fun and games, summer camp outdoor activities, etc. The upside is the children are in their comfort zone. If she were 5 I would consider a camp outside of her preschool because I am sure by then they are ready to move on. However at 3, she is young, if she were my child I would opt for the comfort of her preschool. What I experience is that most parents if they can afford to, and are home for summer, will change enrollment from full time to maybe just 3 mornings so their children can still socialize, have fun, and also have time home with their M. or daddy. The best of both worlds. Good luck!!

I love Diane S's response. That's what my kids did at that age. Their preschool had "camp" that was just themed weeks that extended past the regular year. My kids loved going to preschool, loved their teachers, and "camp" was a fun change since it wasn't as structured as the rest of the year. And it only lasted 3 or 4 weeks - the rest of the summer we spent at parks, libraries, etc.

And there is no way my kids at that age would have transitioned well to switching to a new camp complete with bus ride. It would have created horrible summer memories for us.

I would not send a three year old to camp. How about letting her stay home and enjoying time with her. She was I preschool all year. Give her a break from the structure. Let her enjoy the summer.

I vote for no camp. That sounds way too young for camp. If anything I'd do a couple of classes like swimming lessons and dance or something to break up the days.

You're a SAHM? You are soooooo lucky. Anyhow, camps for 3 yro.?? Sounds more like a money making scheme to me. It used to be that you didn't go to summer camp until you were 8 yro. If you feel you must send her to a summer camp, I would go with the daycare. Most 3yros need routine and consistancy. They just aren't ready to handle meeting new kids, then realizing that they may never see them again at the end of the summer. Also, I'm assuming that the daycare one is easer for you to access if you need to. As for my personal opinion....I really enjoyed being home with my mom in the summer. (My mom was a SAHM) We had a lot of fun together...going to movies...playing in the kiddy pool in the back yard...picking vegies in the garden...playing on the swingset....cooking....picnicing in the back yard....etc. It was a great "M./daughter bonding time." The "experts" always tell you how to bond with your baby, but they never tell you that you really need to keep doing things with your child as they grow older in order to maintain that bond. It's kind of like the "use it or loose it" philosophy that "experts" bring up when it comes to exercising the body and mind. Well, it goes for parent/child bonding as well. Ever wonder why some children are closer to their parents as they grow into teenagers and adults? It's all about the family bond. Don't worry about "keeping up with the Jones'." Just because all her friends are going to camp, doesn't mean she has to. Oh, my kid? That's another story...I'm a WM, so he was in daycare year round except for when I had off and one week in the summer time...I used to send him to a college daycamp. I'd let him choose one course, so I could have the rest of the day alone with him to just have fun. It was my sneaky way of getting a little extra time in with my kid,but giving him some time to meet other kids and enjoy learning things that aren't taught in school/daycare at the same time.

At that age, I wouldn't. Summer is still fun without summer camps and even more for a 3 year-old little girl: pool, park, water parks, play dates playing with bubbles, water and chalk with other kids in your neighborhood etc.
Enjoy the summer and have fun with your little daughter!

A. :)