Summer camps and day camps are always a time remembered when you were a kid. Just think back to some of the activities you participated in. What do you remember about football camp, or sailing, or even dance camp? Portland has so many options when it comes to summer camps and day camps that it can almost be overwhelming. So how do you know which camp is right for you or your child? There are three important factors to look at when choosing a camp:

1. Duration/Schedule – Portland is known for their summer camps and day camps in and around the area. Some camps are three to five days long while others can last up to three weeks if not more. It is important to take a look at your schedule and figure out what fits in best. If it is a day camp, be sure to look at the hours of drop off and pick up to make sure you can still make it to work from where the camp is located.

For the longer camps, make sure your child can handle being away from home for extended periods of time. Homesickness is a one of the main reasons for leaving a camp early, and if you leave early, you miss out on all of the fun. Also for longer stays, verify the living arrangements to make sure they meet your standards, but be mindful that you pay for what you get. However, most kids don’t mind sleeping in a tent or sleeping bag- that is half of the fun of summer camp in Portland.

2. Activities – Be sure to consult with your child, if they weren’t the one who brought the idea to you in the first place. Make sure it is an activity that they are interested enough in to spend summer hours engaging in activities centered on one activity. The last thing that any child wants to do is go to science camp when he or she just wants to go to soccer camp with the rest of his or her friends.

Portland has tons of sports camps to choose from. Volleyball to baseball, soccer, football, and even an ultimate frisbee camp/ The list is as wide as a football field and twice as long. Music, education, and art camps also dot the Portland area. Drama and classical music are some of the more numerous camps around town, but you are sure to find science camps where you learn to build rockets while figuring out how they work, as well as dance camps where you can learn everything from jazz to tap and interpretive dance.

3. Value – The biggest thing to remember is to look at the value of the camp. The value isn’t determined by the cost alone, but the information learned, the experience to be had, even the skills to be developed and the memories to be made. Compare all of these areas to the cost and you will determine your camp’s value. Ask yourself one question, “Is this camp worth it?” If the answer is yes, then go for it and have a blast, otherwise keep searching.

Portland has so many summer camps and day camps that it might be hard to choose which one to go to. Keep all of these options in mind when looking through the lists and you will be sure to land on the perfect camp to fit your needs. If all else fails and you still can’t choose, ask around the neighborhood to find out which one Portland Summer and day camp options they’ve settled on this year.

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