Summer camps are an awesome opportunity for preschoolers to come to school for a few days or a few weeks during summer vacation. They are a wonderful opportunity for education, fun and friendship!
For directors and teachers planning these camps, it can take organization, enthusiasm and energy, but it's as much fun for adults as it is for the children who attend. During your planning sessions, consider a few ways you can enhance the summer camp experience so this year you have the best camp offering yet.
Themes: Having a theme to your camp can be the glue that guides all activities. What's more, themes help excite the kids and direct the parents to which camp might be best for their child's age and interest. Here are a few camp theme examples:
- All about arts and crafts
- Alphabet adventure
- Theater and dramatic play week
- Amazing outdoor track and field
- New to school (a prep camp for kids entering preschool next year)
- Blocks and building bonanza
Questionnaires: Having parents fill out a questionnaire about their child is a simple way to get to know them better before camps even begin. Ask questions about interests, allergies, behavior concerns, etc. That way you can make adjustments and considerations depending on the child's needs.
Open house: Some small children may be apprehensive about attending summer camp. To ease worries, consider having a few hours available in the days before camp for those kids to come in with their parents to see the school, explore the set-up and meet the teachers running the program. This will ease worries and boost excitement.
Camp pictures: Summer camps provide a great opportunity to bond. Some kids may start camp as strangers and end camp as best friends. To capture this special moment and give parents a cherished keepsake, have Lifetouch Preschool Photography come to take pictures of camp groups. There are many options to customize photos for summer camps such as:
- A variety of backgrounds for indoor photographs. Summer's Fun in the Sun background is ideal for warm-weather months, with beautiful beach scenes.
- Lifetouch also offers outdoor photography if you prefer for your event. Outdoor camps may prefer that group and individual photos be taken outdoors on school grounds.
- The Same Day Proof photography program provides families with their child's proofs on Picture Day to bring home to view in the comfort of their home.
Closing ceremonies: Some camps put on a performance or presentation for caregivers on the last day to show what they've been working so hard on. This is a wonderful time for kids to gain self-confidence as they show off their achievements. From singing songs to putting on a play to having an art show with works displayed on the walls, there are many options that allow kids to beam with pride and underscore the value of the camp to parents.
Summer camps are an awesome opportunity for preschoolers to come to school for a few days or a few weeks during summer vacation. They are a wonderful opportunity for education, fun and friendship!