How To Prepare Your Child For Day Camps

Children need to be active and stimulated. A great way to provide your child with constant activity is summer camp or day camps for kids. Children can enjoy sports, arts and crafts, as well as making friends with children their own age during camp. For parents, the first time a child goes to camp can be difficult. Whether the child is going to be away for a few hours each day or several days in a row, having your child away from home can be stressful or worrisome. Learn how to prepare your child for day camps so they can be ready for the experience as well as yourself! 

Plan the Goodbye Ahead of Time

Be ready to say goodbye to your child ahead of time. This will help with the drop-off. If your child is catching a bus to summer camp, say goodbye in the home. Hug your child and let them know they will have so much fun at camp. If your child is going for a few hours, say goodbye outside of the camp so they can enter and be ready to begin. Avoid a long drawn-out goodbye so your child will not feel any need to hang back or cry when you leave. 

Talk about the First Day

As you prepare for the first day of camp, talk to your child about what will take place. Discuss drop off and what activities will be offered. If you have the option to get a schedule of activities ahead of time, do so. Show your child the schedule and talk about what they will be able to do. Talk about the first day frequently and help your child be positive and excited for the first day. 

Visit Camp Ahead of Time

A great way to prepare your child is to visit ahead of time. Take your child to the facility so they can see where they will be able to go and have fun during camp. A child can be scared to go somewhere that they have never been or have never seen. By visiting camp, meeting counselors and seeing the camp space, your child will be better prepared to attend. 

Avoid Projecting Anxiety

As a parent, you are most likely anxious about your child attending camp. If your child has never been away from home before you may be feeling stressed out or anxious. These feelings can be projected to your child which can lead to similar feelings within your child. You want to see your child excited about camp, and not anxious. Avoid projecting any anxiety you have towards your child. Only talk positively about camp and keep your anxious feelings to yourself. This will help your child feel good about being away from home. 

Zodiac Day Camps can help you feel more at ease by providing quality day camps for your child to enjoy. Learn more about the different camp options available by visiting http://www.zodiackids.ca/.

How To Choose The Right Day Camp For Your Kids

Day camps for kids are a great way to provide a summer activity for your child. If you are looking into a day camp for your child you want to make sure you find the right camp that he or she will enjoy. Every child is different so choosing the right option for the individual is key to a successful camp experience. Check out the tips below to ensure you choose the right day camp for your child.


What Does Your Child Enjoy?
To get started, consider what your child enjoys. If your child is a sports enthusiast, then you know a camp offering sports activities would be ideal. If your child enjoys arts and crafts, a camp that provides such activities would be best. Don’t just sign your child up for any day camp for kids. Take time to research the activities offered and ensure your child will be happy and content.


One Activity or Multiple Programs?
Another factor to consider is whether or not the camp you choose should offer one activity or multiple options. For example, a swimming camp would last for around two to three hours and focus on swimming techniques. Does your child have the focus to last that long on one activity? If not, you might want to focus on a day camp option that has more than one activity. A child that has a short attention span will do better to have several activities during a three hour time frame than one activity for the same amount of time.


Age Group/Camp Size
It is also important to consider the age group and camp size. A big part of day camp is the social aspect. A child will be able to grow socially by being around children their own age. It can be more beneficial to sign up a child for a day camp that has a nice size as well as children being in the same age range. If your child is 5 then having kid’s ages 4 to 6 is helpful. If a child attends a camp with much younger or older children they may not be able to make friends and possibly would not feel comfortable at camp. Find out the age range and size of camp to ensure your child will easily be able to make friends.


Consider all these factors to make the right choice for day camp or summer camp for your child. Choosing the right camp can be the difference between great memories made and those that your child would rather forget. Contact Zodiac Day Camps to learn more about the variety of day camp options they provide along with finding an option based on what your child enjoys as well as their age. Zodiac is ready to assist you with offering your child a quality camp experience.

A Look Into The Future: What Will Day Camps Look Like In 10 Years?

Today’s day camps for kids are pretty fun and exciting. Children can easily enjoy arts and crafts, swimming, basketball, softball and a host of other activities. Children have the option to attend summer camp for a specific time frame such as a week to two weeks or take part in day camps where they are only gone from home for a few hours a day. Camp today comes in many forms but one common denominator is that children enjoy the time spent at camp, no matter the activity. While camp of today is very similar to what was enjoyed decades ago, what will camp be like in ten years? Below we consider how such camp options might change in the future.

More Technology Driven

In ten years, summer camp may be more technology driven. In decades past, children would only take part in physical activities such as sports as well as arts and crafts during summer camp. However, over the past few years, camps have upgrade their offerings to include technology. Camps exist that focus on robotics, computer programming and more. As technology continues to move to the forefront of the world, day camps for kids may begin to focus more on tech rather than sports and crafts. Today’s children are growing up with more technology than ever before with tablets and smartphones. Children do not know what it is like to operate without such technology. Camps may find that they have to adapt to technology if they want kids to be excited to attend. 

Goal Driven

Camps may also begin to lean towards achieving goals. In the past, camps have focused on providing an outlet for kids to enjoy sports and activities with no real end goal. Children are being asked to set goals now more than ever and with day camps, there will be a challenge to get children to succeed. Perhaps a camp involving swimming would have children set goals of learning how to dive or to qualify for a competition or challenge. With basketball or softball, children can set goals to make a spot on a team or win a tournament. Goal setting can help children to focus on the future and learn that hard work pays off in the end. 

We really have no idea what day camp will be like in the future. It will be interesting to see in ten years what camps are offering and how children are adapting to any change made from the old format of summer camp. Either way, children will have the option to take part in fun and exciting activities that will help to expel energy and learn a new skill. 

To have your child participate in a summer or day camp now, contact Zodiac Day Camp. Children love to take part in the many options Zodiac Day Camp provides including swimming, dance, a variety of sports and much more. They will have a blast with all the fun activities and events that take place in this safe and protected environment.

Is Day Camp Safe For Children With Food Allergies?

Food allergies have become even more prevalent over the past few years as the source of allergies are discovered. For many children, nuts and dyes are an allergy that can have dramatic effects on the body, even result in death. Parents can be quite concerned when sending their child to school or even day camp if they may be subjected to their allergy. As parents, it is important to learn the policies of day camps for kids to ensure that every child is safe. 

Allergy Policies

Every summer camp or day camp will be different when it comes to allergy policies. When registering, the camp will inquire as to any allergies your child may have. Be sure to write down each allergy and note if medications need to be taken or what steps for treatment need to be completed if your child is subjected to the allergen. Bring medications along to the camp so your child can be treated if an allergy attack takes place. 

If your child is not allergic to anything, you should still take the proper measures to learn the allergy policies. Many schools no longer allow products that include nuts such as peanut butter. This is done to protect those who may be severely allergic to nuts. Be sure to  pack snacks or lunches accordingly so every child is safe while they attend camp. 

Camp Precautions

Many camps will have a No Nuts policy to ensure safety of children during camp hours. Some facilities even go so far as to have a catering company provide snacks or foods to help support their No Nuts policy. Each camp is different so you need to know the precautions taken to ensure your child and other kids are safe. 

If an allergy is present during summer day camp, the camp should send out a notice of the allergy. This will alert parents so that they can take the proper precautions. Any allergies will also be listed in the lunch room and even at the lunch table to ensure that homemade lunches are checked so any allergy flare-ups will not take place. 

Caring for allergies is a must. Top camp providers such as Zodiac Day Camp makes sure to cover all the bases when it comes to allergies. An allergic reaction can happen at any time for any reason. Children are commonly allergic to dust, cats, bees, nuts and other items. Camp providers must be well-versed in allergies and know the proper treatment for care after an allergy attack. 

Parents must include information upon registration that will help counselors deal with any food allergies. This way, the child will be safe as they attend day camp. Parents can worry less while the child is away with Zodiac Day Camp as the allergy is noted and any contact with an allergic item will be avoided. Contact Zodiac today to learn more about the allergy procedures and how care is taken to avoid any child being affected by an allergy attack.

The Best Time To Register For Day Camps

If you are considering registering your child for day camp, you are in for a wonderful surprise. Day camps are a great way to involve your child in activities, sports and more, providing social interaction and fun quality time with peers your child’s age. What you may not know is that day camps can fill up fast and there are certain times when it is better to sign your child up for specific programs. Below are a few tips to help you determine when you should sign up for summer camp or day camp for kids to get the best deal and ensure your child a spot for fun! 

Fall/Winter

When it comes to reviewing certain day camp for kids programs, the Fall and Winter months can be ideal. It is a perfect time to check out some Day Camp Open Houses and prepare ahead for the next season. Open House events are a great way to see the facility, meet the staff, ask questions, and get a small preview of the activities that the camp has to offer. 

Early Bird Discounts

One option to consider when signing up for camp is an early bird discount. This basically means that the program is offering a special price based on when you sign up. If you are able to sign up early, you will save on your camp fee. Signing up early is a great way to take advantage of such early bird deals as well as make sure your child has a spot in the day camp. 

Early Payment Discounts

Summer camps as well as day camps may also provide a discount for early payments. For ongoing camps, you may have a larger fee to participate or have to pay so much each month. For many of these programs, an early payment discount is provided. This will ensure your child’s spot in the camp as well as help you save money. Look into early payment discounts so you can spend less sending your child to the camp they wish to attend. 

Ask a Camp Instructor

If you know individuals who operate or work within a camp setting, talk to them. Find out the best time frames to sign up for the particular camps you are interested in. Are you looking to save money or perhaps you wish to have a smaller group for participation? Consider just what you are looking for to ensure your child has a nice experience and you choose the right time for signups. 

Take all of these considerations into account when looking for a day camp or summer camp for your child. Learn as much as you can about the camp option so you can register at the right time for an enjoyable experience for your child. Contact Zodiac Day Camp to learn more about such camp options including savings as well as group and private lessons for swimming and other activities. 

How To Overcome Your Fear Of Swimming

Swimming is a fun and favorite summer time sport for many. You can even enjoy it during the winter months with heated indoor pool areas. However fun it can be, others find it down right terrifying. They do not want to set foot in the water or even near a pool. How can you overcome the fear of swimming? What can you do as parents to help your children or yourself to learn that the water doesn’t have to be a scary place? Here are a few ideas on how you and your children can overcome the fear of swimming. 

Stick Your Toe in the Water

Just start by getting your toes wet. Going in gradually can help you to realize that the water is not as dangerous as you might think. Start in the shallow end of the pool or river you’re considering going in. This can help you to overcome the fear of that first step into the water. As you get used to the feel of the water you can gradually walk in a little farther. 

Splash Yourself

Others recommend that once you can stand in water deep enough, splash some on your face. You can do this just as if you were washing your face in the sink at home. This will help you to get used to the water being on your face without your head being under the water. Try to picture positive things in your mind as you’re doing this step. That way you can associate positive feelings with the water on your face. 

Hold Your Breath

When you’re feeling confident enough, try placing your head under the water and holding your breath. You can even blow out the air and make bubbles to help you while you’re doing this. Do this while you’re in a shallow enough area that you can stand up on the bottom. That will help you to boost your confidence that you have control over the situation. 

Swimming Lessons

Taking swimming lessons is one of the best ways to overcome your fear of swimming. Whether you’re looking for swimming lessons for kids or adults, Zodiac Swim School has you covered. These swimming lessons that are offered can help you to overcome the fear of swimming or being in the water while giving you valuable lessons that will last a lifetime. You can learn how to manage your anxiety about the water while you’re learning safety tips and how to prevent accidental drownings. 

Swimming lessons for kids gives your child the confidence they need to enjoy the water safely. It also teaches them how to respect the water at all times, which is very important when you live near water. It is also important if your children want to go to summer camps as pools and swimming can be a huge part in that adventure. 

Contact Zodiac Swim School today to see how you can take part in swimming lessons for the entire family. You can learn to respect the water, not fear it.