There may be two months left before school lets out, but now is the time to start planning your child’s summer activities. Many people long for the days when a parent opened the front door in the morning, wished their child a good day, and got a happy (often slightly dirty) child in return at the end of a long, hot summer day.

There are a number of reasons this occurs less often these days, including a heightened awareness or rise in crime, children’s need for structure, and parents taking a more active role in educating their children. Summer is now seen as a time for cognitive as well as physical growth and offers two solid months to prepare your child for the upcoming school year.  Whatever your reason for sending your child to summer camp, there are a few things you should consider before sending in your payment.

• Decide what you are looking for in a camp. Does your child need academic reinforcement or opportunities for social exchange? Is your child ready for sleep-away camp or is a day camp more appropriate? Identify your child’s needs first, then look for the camp that fits your criteria. The number of available camps can be overwhelming, so choose the one or two of the most important criteria, and then match your needs to what the camps offer. For example, if your child has special needs, finding staff that is trained in supporting those needs will be the most important criteria. If your child is struggling with reading, finding a camp that matches your school’s approach to reading should be high on your list of criteria. Sending your child to a camp just because his friends are attending does not guarantee a positive experience.
• Once you’ve identified what you are looking for in a camp, ask other parents for references.  As specific questions about the camp such as the price, length of day, and staff-to-camper ratio. Also ask questions like “If you could change one thing about this camp, what would it be?” or “Why do you feel comfortable sending your child here?” Ask the camper about her experience as well. Ask who is her favorite staffer and why, what is her favorite activity, and if she would change camps and why or why not. Getting others’ opinions does not ensure your child’s experience will be flawless but it will give you information about the camp not found in the brochure.
• Once you have narrowed down your search, visit the camps that have made your final list. Pay attention to how the counselors interact with the campers and how the children respond. Spend a significant amount of time at the camp (at least 2 hours) so you can observe different types of activities, transitions between activities, and see all of the facilities. Ask to see the cafeteria, the bunks, the nurse’s station, the pool, and any other spaces your child will be using. Ask about important protocols, such as how a child reports an injury and gets treated, the camp’s emergency response plan (for a camp-wide crisis such as fires or responding to an intruder), and how and when your child can contact you. These questions will help you feel more confident in sending your child to someone else’s care and gives you time to discuss the procedures with your child.
• If you choose an academic camp, speak with your child’s current teacher as well as the teacher he will have in the fall. Some camps have forms they will ask you or your child’s teacher to fill out regarding current academic progress and areas that need support. Make sure your child is staying on target by asking for weekly reports from camp and work samples. Ask for activities you can do with your child at home to strengthen the camp-school connection. 

Remember to prepare your child for the camp they will be attending. Be clear about the activities they will be participating in and be sensitive to their concerns. Most children will be apprehensive about doing academic work during the summer, so remember to schedule some fun family activities and play dates as well.

Cost can be another factor in choosing a camp. Some camps or community organizations offer scholarships. Don’t be embarrassed to ask the camp director about the possibility of financial assistance.

Choosing the right camp for your child can create a lot of pressure for you and your spouse. Allow your child’s needs to guide you as you search for the right summer experience for her. Remember, camp is supposed to be an enjoyable and memorable time so don’t forget to pack bug spray, plenty of clothes, and a camera as you send her on her way this summer!

Jennifer Cerbasi teaches at a public school for children on the autism spectrum in New Jersey. As a coordinator of Applied Behavioral Analysis programs in the home, she works with parents to create and implement behavioral plans for their children in an environment that fosters both academic and social growth. In addition to her work both in the classroom and at home, she is also a member of the National Association of Special Education Teachers and the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.

First, I have a confession: I used to never care about what I ate. Not only that, I also loved take-out foods—mostly because of my crazy work schedule. And oh, I wasn’t the most athletic guy. In fact, I didn’t start exercising until I was in my thirties, when suddenly I realized that I had to do something to keep my body healthy.

Does this sound familiar? Honestly, it seems like we’ve all got some pounds we could shed—and we’re in big company (yes, pun intended). But seriously, this is no joking matter: the statistics about obesity in this country are far from funny. Can you believe that by 2010, three-quarters of the U.S. population will be overweight? And if that didn’t shock you, check this out: statistics show that 80% of our kids are suffering from weight-related afflictions, like arthritis? The consequences of extra weight are devastating. So here’s my question: how did we get here?

FAST FOOD: Just walk through a supermarket or down Main Street will explain part of the weight gain: our diets. Fast-food meals are usually brimming with artery-clogging, heart-attack-causing amounts of calories, fat, and sodium. And while most fast-food chains have added healthy or light items to their menus over the past couple of years, you need to check out the whole package and ask yourself these questions: Is it fresh? Does the dressing have a ton of sugar and chemicals in it? Am I really getting the nutrition I need? The answers are probably no, yes, and no.

MONEY: The other excuse I often hear for falling into poor eating habits is the one that includes the bottom line: money. Wee, my friend, I’d be the first to tell you that eating healthy ain’t always cheap. I don’t have to tell you that budgets are much tighter than waistlines: trying to justify buying healthier choices, versus what your pocketbook allows, can be real tough.

TIME: In addition to money, the other commodity many of us are short on is time. I know how it is: you’ve got a big 20 minutes (or less!) for lunch. Sure, you try to make your lunch from time to time. But it’s not easy—and there’s a place on the corner that offers you a super quick and cheap lunch.

STRESS: The fact of the matter is that because people are so busy running around like maniacs, they’re not eating as they should. Especially moms! Having one or more kids to care for, getting them off to school in the morning, getting involved in their after-school activities and sports, not to mention their own work, and being part of the sandwich generation (caring for elderly parents as well) all adds up to crazy schedules, unhealthy eating, and in many cases a seeking of foods that immediately satisfy (chips, brownies, candy, cookies, soda, ice cream) but don’t promise benefits in return.

LACK OF EXERCISE OR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY: It’s a logical equation really. Ask anyone who’s not sleeping what they want to do and I guarantee that working out is going to be at the bottom of the list. The thing about exercise is that it needs to be done, but it has to be something that fits your schedule. If you can swing getting up early to go to yoga or take a jog before work, do it! If a lunch hour workout is what you can fit in, then you should! (Just don’t skip lunch!) This doesn’t mean that it will be easy, but it will help and you will see and feel the results physically and mentally—almost immediately.

HORMONES: Ask any woman and you’ll hear the same thing: appetites grow and fade depending on the time of month. Most women I know feel incredibly peckish that week before their period, and snacking often leads to the avalanche effect…

SNACKING—THE WRONG WAY: Most of us parents know that we’ve got to have the snacks on hand, right? Any trip, whether it’s a walk to the park or a drive to the supermarket, requires keeping a few treats nearby—for the kids, that is. Here’s the problem: we grown-ups like to snack, too!

LACK OF SLEEP: Sleep deprivation can also affect appetites—not to mention everything else. It’s true; the less we sleep, the weaker we are in terms of being able to fend off not only increased emotional sensitivity, but crazy cravings for comfort foods. Also, did you know that sleep patterns can be disturbed by many things that you consume—including food additives and caffeine?