Page 12 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • April 6, 2011 SCHOOLS & CAMPS Now is the time for parents to start thinking about summer camp. Since most summer camps typically fill their rosters early, now is the time for parents to begin their search and find the right fit for their children. For parents new to the process, finding the right camp can be a difficult process. After all, no parent wants to see their child spend the bulk of his or her summer at a camp he or she doesn’t like. When seeking a summer camp, parents should consider the following. Staff: The staff will play a crucial role in how much your child enjoys the summer. A qualified staff is adept at making all children feel welcome, and will be experienced in making everyone’s time at camp as enjoyable as possible. When speaking with camps, ask about staff and how the staff is assembled. What education and training is required of the staff? Does the camp run criminal background checks on its staff? A good staff will be trained in first aid and have some type of background in child counseling or education. The American Camp Association recommends that 80 percent of a camp’s staff should be 18 or older. The camp’s goals: Camps can differ greatly with what they hope to offer a child. Camps can focus on religion, sports, music, recreation, or a host of other interests. If you’re looking for a sports camp, ask about affiliations Get a leg up on choosing a summer camp with any local colleges or professional teams. If it’s a music camp, ask about what your child can expect to learn from staff. It’s also important to determine the general temperament of a camp. Does the camp foster a laid back or more competitive environment? This can be a big help in choosing the right camp for your child. For example, a child who isn’t very competitive likely will not enjoy a camp where competition is heavily emphasized, whereas a child who is competitive might not get much out of a camp that is more recreational. The daily schedule: While some camps might be specialized, most parents send their children to recreational camps that they hope offer their kids a well-rounded experience. Ask to see the schedule from a typical day, and ask about how flexible that schedule is. Will kids be able to choose from different activities each day, or is every day regimented? Remember, kids will be spending their summer vacations at camp, and for many kids camp is an opportunity to relax and spend some time doing what they want. Camps that feature strict schedules might not be the best fit. Referrals: Chances are that some of your child’s classmates attend camp in the summer. Ask around and seek some advice on summer camps in your area. If you’re lucky, you might even be able to send your child to a summer camp that some of his or her classmates also attend, which should make it easier for your child to adapt to camp, especially if it’s a first summer away from home. If you can’t find any personal referrals, ask a camp for a list of references. These references shouldn’t weight too heavily in your decision, as a camp director is obviously not going to give you names of parents whose children didn’t have a good time. But the parents should be able to provide an accurate portrayal of how the camp conducts itself and how your child might fare should he attend that camp. To learn more about what to look for in a camp, visit the ACA website at www.acacamps.org. #1 BASEBALL CAMP IN AMERICA Located on the beautiful campus of SINCE 1981 OVER 30,000 ALUMNI Ramapo College of N.J. in Mahwah. Campers 7-17. Select one or more weeks July 3 thru Aug. 7. Overnight, Day Camp or Extended Day Camp. Major League Stars featuring Alex Rodriguez of the New York Yankees. College coaches. A/C dorm and campers lounge. Batting cages, indoor pool. All-you-can-eat meals. Free video games. Daily instruction and games. Ramapo College HEAD BASEBALL COACH Rich Martin, Director. West Bergen Asperger’s Related Services Workshops - Spring 2011 COACHES AND YOUTH LEADERS Call about our money making program CALL TODAY FOR A FREE BROCHURE 1-800-828-7414 OR VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT WWW.ALLSTARBASEBALLCAMP .COM Summer Camps/ Schools Section Don’t miss out on showcasing your camp or school and the many activities, sports and services you have to offer. WEDNESDAY April 13 April 20 April 27 May 4 Publication: Coming Soon YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD NEWSPAPER WEDNESDAY April 6 April 13 April 20 April 27 Deadline: The Villadom TIMES is your community newspaper, delivered by US mail to every residence in the following Bergen County towns, with a total circulation of 56,000. Registration forms for these workshops can be found on West Bergen’s website OR Call 201-934-1160 Zone 1: Midland Park, Franklin Lakes, Wyckoff Zone 2: Ridgewood, Glen Rock Zone 3: Allendale, Ho-Ho-Kus, Waldwick, Saddle River, Upper Saddle River Zone 4: Mahwah, Ramsey 3-23-11 Ester/janine 4-6-11 joan from janine