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17 · Wednesday, May 9, 2012 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.insideHALTON.com Why a summer routine is important (NC)--With beautiful weather and months off school, summer can be one of the most exciting and active times of the year for children. But with no routine in place, some children find summer boring and miss spending time with friends. At My Best (www.atmybest.ca), a national school­ based children's wellness program developed by Astra Zeneca Canada and Physical and Health Education Canada, emphasizes the importance of children belonging to a group and socializing with peers to promote their self esteem. Here are some tips to make sure your children are happy and busy during summertime. 1. Keep a routine. Even though your kids don't have school every day, make sure they still have a regular schedule. Start by establishing consistent bedtimes and mealtimes. 2. Plan play dates. Invite your child's friends over and try new activities like swimming or biking. Try to arrange these activities for your child at least once a week to keep them social and smiling. 3. Get involved close to home. Many communities organize fun summer activities for kids that are free of charge, including sports teams and day camps. Choosing the right summer camp It can be difficult to envision warm summer days when the wind is blowing and the snow is falling. However, the winter months are a great time to explore summer camp options. In fact, many camps have strict enrollment timelines that require decisions to be made prior to spring. Attending summer camp has been a tradition in the United States for more than 150 years. Statistics indicate that around 30 million American kids attend summer camp each year. There are many benefits to summer camp. Camp enables children to stay engaged during the summer when there may be limited interaction with school friends. It also gives parents both a safe and viable daycare solution during the summer. Summer camp pulls together children from different neighborhoods, social classes and backgrounds, which can make it a good place to meet new people -- some of whom may become lifelong friends. Camps also provide a variety of activities that can challenge children to try new things that go beyond their comfort zones. Some children are very receptive to the idea of attending summer camp. Others need a little coaxing. But summer camp should never be forced on a child who does not want to go. In such instances, consider local daytime programs that may fill the void instead of programs that require being away from home. Once the decision for summer camp is made, there are some questions to answer. · What are your finances like? Do you have a budget for summer camp? · What size camp do you desire? · Should the camp be co-ed or single sex? · How far do you want your child to travel for summer camp? What are the options in your area? · Are there any camps that have been recommended by friends or family members? · What kinds of activities do your children enjoy? These types of questions will help you narrow down your options. Then you can visit and interview camps to find one that is the best fit. When visiting camps, go armed with a checklist of questions. Some of these can include: · What is the philosophy of the camp? · Can you explain a typical day? · What are the types of activities and facilities offered? · What is the camper-to-counselor ratio? · What is the camp's drug/alcohol policy? · Does the camp have insurance and security personnel? · What percentage of staff return each year? How are staff selected and trained? · What kind of health care is provided? · Can you tell me about the policy on phone calls and family visits? · What do you do in the event of emergencies? There are many different camps available. Some offer a "little bit of everything." Others cater to academics, sports, specific hobbies or even religious preferences. Don't wait too long to research and sign up for camps because many fill up quite early or have an extensive waiting list. That is why choosing a camp should be part of a winter to-do list. - Metro Editorial Register now! The Town of Oakville's summer camps program has expanded. From Summer Sizzlers to our dozens of specialty camps, there's something for everyone to play and learn! Plus, we now offer busing to our new location at Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre as well as payment plans. Camps for 2012 include: Skill Development for all ages Skateboard and Swim ­ Ramp-O-Rama (digital scrapbooking) OPEN HOUSE Every Tuesday 9:30 - 11:30am Clanmore, Nuturing a life-long love of learning Dance Oakville? ...and more! 2463 Lakeshore Rd East Ford Drive Armiger g Lane Winston Churchill Blvd. Programs are for children aged 4-15. Before and after-care is available at most locations. Visit www.oakville.ca for more information or call 905-338-4250. (905) 337-8283 info@clanmore.ca Lakeshore Rd. East w w w. c l a n m o r e . c a