Making a Good Day Camp Decision For Your Child
If you’re a parent considering summer camp opportunities for your child, you might consider a day camp rather than (or in addition to) a sleepaway camp experience. Parents often view sending their kids to day camps as a “stepping stone” to overnight camp. They might think day camps are for “younger kids” and sleepaway camps are for older ones. In some cases this might be true, but not always.
One of the advantages you have as a parent when comparing day camps to overnight camps (or even day camps to day camps) is that a day camp’s customer base is generally restricted to its local geographical area. This makes things easier for you to learn more about the camp. For example, you can contact the camp’s current or former customers for references, and you can even visit the camp before making a decision. So how do you know you’re picking the right day camp for your child? Here’s a three-point checklist to help ensure the day camp you choose is the right one for your child.
1. Check references. Since day camps primarily serve local customers, it should not be difficult to find a few families who’ve attended the camp before. Talk to them about their impressions of the program. If you hear good things, you might have a winner. Mixed reviews, on the other hand, could be a “red flag” alerting you
to research the camp further. But if everyone you speak with has only negative things to say, then rule that day camp out, pat yourself on the back for taking the time to conduct a thorough investigation and keep looking for a different camp.
2. Involve your child in the decision making process. Research shows that kids enjoy camp more when they’re included in the decision-making process. Since there are so many different types of day camps to choose from, it’s important to match your child’s interests and personality with the activities the day camp offers. Accordingly, it’s advisable to take a tour of the camp and/or attend an open house together with your child. After you’ve toured the camp, ask for your child’s opinion. This can be a much better approach than unilaterally deciding which day camp your child will attend without consulting them ahead of time, as asking for their input means they’ll probably have a more positive camp experience in the end.
3. Tour the camp and meet the staff. Most day camps hold open houses or organized facility tours during the prime camp enrollment season (generally springtime). These events are great opportunities for you to meet the staff, ask questions and see how the camp operates on a day-to-day basis. You might even decide to attend several camps’ open houses for a point of comparison and to see where you get the best “vibe.” Attending a day camp open house or touring the facility is the single BEST way to see what you’re getting into ahead of time.
Camp is such a personal experience. You want your child to connect with his or her counselors on a personal level and admire them as leaders and role models. You owe it to yourself and your child to pick a day camp that your child will look back on later in life and say, “I remember that camp, and it was the best experience of my life!” Your child deserves the best. It’s your responsibility as a parent to put him or her in an environment where they can thrive, and choosing the right day camp can make this happen for you. Happy day camping!
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Summer day camps are fun and education all rolled into one. EAST COBBER has collected information on a wide range of wonderful day camps to fit all ages and interests, including sports camps, adventure camps, Christian camps, art camps, science camps, dance camps and more. Many day camps listed throughout these pages are held right here in East Cobb, and some are just a short drive away. Please note, as extensive as this day camp chart is, it is still just a sampling of all the day camps available. We recommend you visit the websites noted on each listing for even more offerings.
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Fullers Kids Summer Camp
Fullers Park
3499 Robinson Road, Marietta 30068 770-509-2737 prca.cobbcountyga.gov/fullersrecreationcenter.htm
Georgia Ensemble Theatre's Summer Conservatory 950 Forrest Street, Roswell 30075 770-641-1260 • www.get.org
Georgia Musical Arts Center-Fine Arts Camp
4180 Providence Road, Suite 325, Marietta 30062 678-719-2689 • www.georgiamusicalartscenter.com
Georgia Musical Arts Center-Music Camp 4180 Providence Road, Suite 325, Marietta 30062 678-719-2689 • www.georgiamusicalartscenter.com
Georgia Musical Arts Center-Robotics Camps 4180 Providence Road, Suite 325, Marietta 30062 678-719-2689 • www.georgiamusicalartscenter.com
The Georgia Ballet-Summer Dance Camps 1225 Field Parkway, Marietta 30060 770-528-0881 • www.georgiaballet.org
Ginepri Performance Summer Tennis Camp Olde Towne Athletic Club 4950 Olde Towne Parkway, Marietta 30068 770-578-9901 • www.otac.net
Harrison Tennis Center Summer 2013 Jr. Camps 2653 Shallowford Road NE, Marietta 30066 770-591-3151 • www.prca.cobbcountyga.gov
Johnson Ferry Baptist Church 955 Johnson Ferry Rd, Marietta 30068 678-784-5317 www.johnsonferry.org/SportsFitness/camps
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Kids’ Zone Weekly Day Camps
Kids’ Zone Daycare & Learning Center
137 Johnson Ferry Rd., Ste. 1100, Marietta 30068 770-933-6900 • www.kidszonelearningcenter.com
MJCCA
Summer Day Camp
5342 Tilly Mill Road, Dunwoody 30338 678-812-3795 • www.atlantajcc.org
Mount Paran North Summer Sports Camp
Mount Paran North • 1700 Allgood Road, Marietta 30062 678-285-3248 • www.mpnsports.com
Oak Creek Pony Camp Oak Creek Stables • 4580 Roswell Road, Marietta 30062 678-229-8128 • www.oakcreekstable.com
Oak Creek Horse Camp
Oak Creek Stables • 4580 Roswell Road, Marietta 30062 678-229-8128 • www.oakcreekstable.com
Page One Studios - Elementary Entertainers 4750 Alabama Road, Suite 104, Roswell 30075 678-735-8881 • www.pageonestudios.org
Primary Prep Academy 1887 West Oak Parkway, Marietta 30062 678-594-8700 • www.primaryprepacademy.com
Primrose School of Sprayberry 2531 East Piedmont Road • Marietta 30062 770-578-4832 • www.primrosesprayberry.com
Science Camp by High Touch High Tech @various locations 770-667-9443 • www.sciendemadefunatl.org
*Extended Hours Offered
DATES TO BE DETERMINED
DATES TO BE DETERMINED
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School of Rock East Cobb Performance Camp for Rookies
2469 East Piedmont Road #1101, Marietta 30062 770-579-0400 • www.eastcobb.schoolofrock.com
School of Rock East Cobb Performance Camp 2469 East Piedmont Road #1101, Marietta 30062 770-579-0400 • www.eastcobb.schoolofrock.com
School of Rock East Cobb Rock 101 Camp
2469 East Piedmont Road #1101, Marietta 30062 770-579-0400 • www.eastcobb.schoolofrock.com
S.M.art Club Summer Art Camp Teams up with Creative Ignition Music! Addison Elementary School, 3055 Ebenezer Road, Marietta 30066 404-313-2999 • www.sm-art-club.com
S.M.art Club Summer Art Camp - Junior Counselor Program
Addison Elementary School, 3055 Ebenezer Road, Marietta 30066 404-313-2999 • www.sm-art-club.com
Sprayberry Academy 2.0 Camp 2100 Post Oak Tritt Road, Marietta 30062 770-977-0877 • www.sprayberrychildrensgroup.com
University Kennesaw State University-Continuing Ed 3333 Busbee Drive NW, Kennesaw 30144 470-578-6765 • www.kennesaw.edu/coned
*Extended Hours Offered
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Terrell Mill Tennis Center
Junior Summer Tennis Camp
480 Terrell Mill Road, Marietta 30067 770-644-2771 • www.prca.cobbcountyga.gov
Titans Sports Academy-Baseball/Softball 1235 Kennestone Circle, Suite A, Marietta 30066 404-441-1400 • www.titansnation.net
Unity North Atlanta Church - Camp Northstar 4255 Sandy Plains Road, Marietta 30066 678-325-9314 • www.unitynorth.org
YMCA McClesky/East Cobb-Mini Camp 1055 East Piedmont Road, Marietta 30062 770-977-5991 • www.ymcapass.com/mcy.shtml
YMCA McClesky/East Cobb-Explorer & Sports Camp 1055 East Piedmont Road, Marietta 30062 770-977-5991 • www.ymcapass.com/mcy.shtml
YMCA McClesky/East Cobb-Teen Camp 1055 East Piedmont Road, Marietta 30062 770-977-5991 • www.ymcapass.com/mcy.shtm
YMCA North East -Sports Camp 3010 Johnson Ferry Road, Marietta 30062 678-977-5991 • www.ymcapass.com/ncy.shtml
Young Chefs Academy-Camp Can-I-Cook 230 Hammond Drive NE, Ste 368, Sandy Springs 30328 404-255-9263 www.youngchefsacademy.com/sandysprings
*Extended Hours Offered
EAST COBBER: Serving East Cobb County since 1993
EAST COBBER targets East Cobb residents better than any other publication in Metro Atlanta. ‘East Cobb’ County is comprised of the following zip code areas: 30062, 30066, 30067, 30068 and some of 30075. Here is a snapshot of the East Cobb community we serve:
East Cobb County is the wealthiest area in all of Cobb County and one of the most affluent in Metro Atlanta.
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Overnight Camps
Deer Run Overnight Camps
3845 Perkins Road, Thompson's Station, TN 37179 888-794-2918 • www.camps.deerruntreat.org
3845 Perkins Road, Thompson's Station, TN 37179 888-794-2918 • www.camps.deerruntreat.org
888-794-2918 • www.camps.deerruntreat.org
