How to Choose a Speciatly Summer Camp
Specialty summer camp programs have continued to grow in popularity each of the past several years. In fact, they’re the fastest growing segment of the entire summer camp industry. A “specialty” camp generally focuses on one or more related camp activities (just beach and surfing activities, for example), versus a traditional summer camp which typically offers a more generalized program with activities such as arts & crafts, horseback riding, nature study, sports and games, archery, and dance and drama, among others.
Specialty camps have historically appealed to “older” kids (generally ages 10 or 12) because their lifestyle interests begin to take shape at this age and they become more interested in specialized fields of study or play as they grow. But in recent years, specialty camps are seeing more enrollment from children as young as preschool age whose parents may want them exposed to more specific camp activities than they’d get at a traditional camp.
There seems to be no limit as to the types of specialty camps available. If your child is interested in a specific area of interest, you can be sure there’s a specialty camp designed for them. For example, a recent internet search revealed the following types of specialty camps: beach and surfing camps, cooking camps, boating camps, camps for children with special needs, weight loss camps, boot camps, football camps, general sports camps, ski and snowboard camps, camps for children with cancer, baking camps, tennis camps, acting camps, academic camps, entrepreneurial camps, family camps and camps for twins, among others.
Where’s the best place to start your search for a specialty camp? We always suggest picking an American Camp Association (ACA) Accredited camp, regardless of the type of camp you choose. By choosing an accredited camp, you can be sure the camp meets or exceeds up to 300 best-practice industry standards relating to child safety and supervision, transportation, program and activity scheduling, food service, and more. The ACA maintains a free Website where you can search for a specialty camp among any criteria that’s important to you such as by type of camp, location, gender, price, and ages served.
Buying a Good Camping Stove
Its size and weight of can make or break a camping experience. If you’re camping by yourself, or there’s only two or three of you, then a huge camping stove is not a good idea. For a camping party of less than three people, choose one that’s compact and lightweight. This would mean that you would not be burdened with your camping stove whether you’re traveling to or from your campsite or having to deal with worrying about leaving some items behind because there’s no more room since you’ve got a huge camping stove with you.
If you’re camping with your friends, and if you are a rather large group, then it’s best to invest in a two-burner stove. These types of stoves allow you to cook two types of food at the same time, cutting the time needed to cook enough food for a large group. If you are on your way to a beach camping trip, then a combination of a stove and grill is your best option, especially if you’re planning to do some grilling.
There are fuel options, these are white gas, propane gas, unleaded gas, kerosene, or butane. However, most camping experts would recommend the use of either propane or white gas. White gas produces most heat; it is also more environmentally friendly since it burns cleanly and does not have any odor nor does it affect food taste. Propane gas is more easy to use, but it can weigh heavier than white gas despite its simplicity. It is both easy to operate and to ignite. It has also proven of its good performance in warmer temperatures at lower elevations.
When searching, it is best to check the brands that are well-known for making quality products. This ensures good performance from your camping stove as opposed to the risk of buying lesser known and cheaper brands. Although branded camping stoves might be more expensive, some of them also give you a warranty. It is important, and choosing the wrong one could lead to disastrous events; a proven track record in quality and performance is important, so it’s best to do your research once you’ve narrowed down your choices based on the criteria given above.
Tags : Beach Camping, Camping Party, Camping Stove