The Best Way to Find the Best Summer Camp for Your Child

Yesterday we attended a camp fair at Roscomare Road Elementary School here in Los Angeles.  We enjoyed seeing lots of the awesome summer camp opportunities in L.A. this year.

As we traversed the aisles of the camp fair, we stopped and spoke to many parents who were there looking researching camps for their kids. It clear they found value in attending the camp fair because they could learn about so many different programs in one place and meet all the counselors and staff from the various camps.

But as we spoke with more and more parents, an interesting theme keep coming up.

It seems that one of the very reasons the parents enjoyed the camp fair so much -- that is, the opportunity to gather information about so many potential summer camp choices all in one place -- was also causing some of them to feel overwhelmed with so many possible summer camp choices.  

With so many great programs to pick from, how were they supposed to narrow it down to the right one?

One of the moms was looking for a beach camp for her 13 year old son.  But there were three or four different beach camp programs at the Bel Air Camp fair, she was a little confused.  "There sure are lots of beach camps," she said. "How do we pick the right one?"

Here's what we told her. Sometimes when you're comparing camps and it's just too hard to decide which to choose,  why not go with the one run by the people you like the most? Here's what we mean.

You're going to meet a LOT of camp directors and counselors at the camp fair.  But the folks who seem the most genuine -- the ones you give you the best "first impression" and you "connect with" right off the bat -- is often a great way to decide how to pick a program. 

In other words, go with your gut. If for some reason you just don't feel comfortable with the people, this is a good sign to move on to the next camp.