By: Lynda Fishman, M.S.W.
Owner/Executive Director - Adventure Valley Day Camp

Having been a successful Camp Director for two decades, I have continuously and proudly gained parents' trust and interest, watching children and staff members return year after year. Intuitively knowing the value of a true summer camp experience, I credit summer camp as playing an important role in shaping the success of many accomplished adults. A quality camp experience is recognized by parents, educators and child development professionals as a really valuable experience whereby campers and staff mature, gain skills and develop important relationships.

Parents spend a lot of time looking at the different options for summer camp in the hope that the experience will enrich their child's life. While fun is undoubtedly important, even fun needs thought and planning. Camp is about having SAFE summer fun, getting along with others, developing skills, sportsmanship, and gaining independence and self-confidence, feeling a sense of connection and accomplishment. These are all vital steps in a child's growth and development.

Camp is a great way for kids to build a variety of important skills and grow as individuals. To offer the word camp to an environment that is simply offering activities, and I applaud that skilled offering, is misusing the word camp. Camp, in its true definition is not only about skill development and recreation but should be a diverse, well-rounded experience including nature, spirit, interaction, and socializing - where activities are just part of the entire experience.

Suffice it to say, there is plenty of room in our children's lives for after school programs. But I feel, as a Camp Director, that those programs need to be differentiated from the true camp experience … an experience that a child will never forget because it's about community and relationships.

Choosing a camp is an important decision. Parents should have the comfort and reassurance that they have made the best possible choice.

The Most Important Considerations for Parents When Choosing a Camp:

Who is the Director?

It is critical for parents to meet the Camp Director, and ask about their experience as a Camp Director, their reputation and their safety record. The Director's priority and focus should be on safety, leadership supervision, planning, customer satisfaction, and the high level of quality instruction in activity areas. Ask questions related to the following: The Director's philosophy and objectives about running a camp (culture; focus; bullying; communication with campers, parents, staff and community; willingness and ability to assume responsibility for the growth of campers and staff); overall safety; emergency procedures; behaviour management techniques. Trust your instincts about this person – their communication skills, confidence as a Camp Director, and presence as a leader, role model and mentor.

It is CRITICAL to visit the camp and check out the following:

· Where is the camp located?

· Is the camp surrounded by concrete and busy streets, or is it surrounded by nature? Camp should provide a wholesome escape from the pressures of school and the distractions of the urban environment. Camp should be a refreshing change of pace, surroundings, and atmosphere. It should not be in a hectic environment.

· What about safety and security? Is there public access to the playing areas?

· Is everything on-site or do campers have to bused to off-site facilities? If they are being bussed away from camp, what about the bus supervision, ratios, security, first aid and emergency procedures at these off-site facilities?

· Is there ample shade? Does the property have access to hiking and nature trails?

· Are there indoor facilities with air-conditioning for excessively hot days?

· What about designated areas to change for swim, facilities to eat indoors, and indoor washrooms?

· Is there ample space, safely away from the usual playing areas, for bus drop off in the am and the loading of buses in the pm?

· Is there plenty of space for parking?

My enthusiasm peaks when I discuss our actual "dream camp site." Calling the camp "an oasis in the city with amazing on-site camp activities" I love that everything at Adventure Valley is right on-site, it's private, away from concrete and busy streets, and totally surrounded by nature.

Programs and Activities:

Recognizing that camps are competing with a lot of different interests that kids have today, ask about the camp's programs and activities, and the quality of the leaders running these activities.

Leadership:

What about the camper-to-staff ratios? Adventure Valley has amazing ratios, and is relatively small allowing for personalized attention.

Ask questions about the hiring practices, training of staff, and systems for providing on-going supervision, coaching and evaluation of staff.

How Big is the Camp?

We limit our enrolment at Adventure Valley to ensure the quality of the program, the leadership and the overall culture and experience. We are more like a village or small town instead of a huge, hectic city.

Introducing Adventure Valley Day Camp

Adventure Valley is a premium quality summer day camp nestled in a stunning country setting in Thornhill, just north of Leslie and Steeles. Our 20 acre property is a true OASIS IN THE CITY, surrounded by extensive forested Conservation Lands. The property has 8 fully lit tennis courts, two outdoor pools, hiking trails, sports and playing fields, basketball, volleyball, ping pong, tetherball, and plenty of parking. We have a 15 000 square foot clubhouse with fully equipped locker rooms, a brand new custom designed commercial kitchen (without any deep fryers), and ample space for a variety of programs and events.

In addition to our sports, tennis and traditional day camps, we offer outdoor education and environmental programs, birthday parties, and year-round recreation programs and activities.

We have partnered with experienced organizations and leaders in the industry to provide action-packed camp programs that are age-appropriate, fun, and an exciting combination of tennis, aquatics, sports, arts, recreation and adventure. We are committed to providing meaningful and adventurous experiences through programs that focus on physical activity, recreation and fun. While encouraging social interaction, campers will develop and enhance skills, positive self-image and self-confidence, support the well-being of others, and maximize their personal potential.

At Adventure Valley we're all about spirit – the spirit of adventure and so much more...

· An Extraordinary Environment

· Creativity and Fun

· Energy and Excitement

· Feeling Safe and Secure

· Friendship and Belonging

· Trust and Respect

www.adventurevalley.ca

905-731–CAMP (2267)