Camp counselors

First summer at day- or sleepaway-camp? Check out some of the best advice we’ve heard, from parents who’ve been there, done that.

Try a little social engineering

“If it’s a two-session camp and you have a child who might be a little bit shy or isn’t as good at working his way into groups, send him to the first session. Some kids go to all eight weeks, and so there are some groups of friends already by the beginning of the second session and it can be hard to break in, socially.”—Kim Moldofsky, mother of two tween boys, lives in Morton Grove and blogs at hormonecoloreddays.blogspot.com.

Save your cash

“Look at options that don’t cost a couple grand—it’s so easy to get lured into these magnificent programs when there are city programs that are perfectly good, and [that provide] a chance to meet kids that [your children] might not otherwise meet. The YMCA has great day-camp options. The Hyde Park Art Center has programs; a lot of places that you wouldn’t normally expect to have camps do have them.”—Fred Sasaki, father of a 6-year-old boy, Uptown neighborhood

Go halfsies

“[Some camps] offer, for younger kids, a half-day program. Some kids aren’t quite ready for a camp that goes five days [a week] from 9am to 3pm, so having a half day is a great option.”—Jean Fawcett, mother of a 4-and-a-half-year old boy, Logan Square
“[Some camps] offer, for younger kids, a half-day program. Some kids aren’t quite ready for a camp that goes five days [a week] from 9am to 3pm, so having a half day is a great option.”—Jean Fawcett, mother of a 4-and-a-half-year old boy, Logan Square

Pack some moolah

“It makes sense to pack two or three extra dollars in their bag. The camp that my daughter went to the past couple summers, there was always an ice-cream pushcart guy [there]. It was one of those things that I hadn’t thought about—if you pack a couple of dollars, they can go buy their ice cream.”—Veronica Arreola, mother of a 7-year-old girl, West Rogers Park

Forget your favorite camp

“If the child has no desire to play guitar or go to acting camp, don’t make them do it. Living in Chicago, we are so fortunate to have a huge variety of options. Together with your child, look online at the photos and videos of the camps, read testimonials, visit the facility and meet with the instructors.” —Deborah Shaw-Staley, mother of a 15-year-old girl, Portage Park