Another key to deciding if your child is ready is to examine how he or she has done in social situations. Debbie Dahl, AUM youth program manager, said most kids already have some type of camp experience. Dahl said it is important for the camp to fit the child's needs. If you have a child that lacks social skill, send them to a camp with a lot of interaction and build up that skill. Deciding if a child is ready for a residential camp also requires checking for experience.
Some kids have difficulty being away from home.
Reynolds said that the younger the child is, the better it is to start them at residential camps. It's best to get them started early to allow them to grow into it. Once you've selected the kind of camp, parents must decide which genre to choose. Do you want a single sex camp or a co-ed camp or a sports camp or one with a more broad range of activities. After deciding what kind of camp to send your child to, parents then must decide which particular camp to choose.