Summer camp is a great opportunity for your child to learn new skills and interact with other children. With the numerous specialized summer camps that are available for you to choose from summer camps are no longer the boring prisons of before. But having too many choices can actually be a problem for the indecisive parent. How do you decide what camp to send your child to for the next couple of weeks. Here are our tips on choosing the right summer camp for your child.

First of all summer camp isn't just for your peace of mind, you have to consider what your child wants to do this summer. If your child is feeling anxious or nervous about leaving home then this will diminish the experience. Your child should have no problems separating from you for a few weeks. He or she should show an interest in the activities being offered by the camp.

Second you should discuss with your child what kind of camp he or she wants to attend. There are as many types of summer camps as you can think of. But for starters camps fall into one of the several categories.

The traditional style camps that offer the usual activities of hiking, archery, swimming and crafts. Specialty camps on the other hand focus on the child's area of interest. If your child hates physical activity then sending him to a sports camp will guarantee you the title of world's worst parent. Special needs camp are for kids with learning disabilities, health impediments and other disabilities.

Day camps allow your child to go home every afternoon while resident camps offer lodgings for one to four weeks. You should decide what camp best suits your child. Younger children who are nervous about leaving home would be better off going to a day camp. Just because you want your children out of your hair for a few weeks doesn't mean that they would be better suited to a resident camp.

Once you and your child have decided what camp he or she will want to attend you should now collect information about them. Talk to other parents who send their children to that camp. Send for videos or camp brochures, attend open houses, arrange to speak with the director and take a look around camp. It isn't enough to simply ask the camp director if the camp is good. Chances are they won't really tell you the truth. Why should they? They are trying to get your kid to join them. Here are some questions you should raise. Asking them will help you get a better idea of the camp's staff and facilities.

What are the activities that the camp offers?

What are the camp hours?

What is the age range of the children in the camp? Is your child going to be the oldest or youngest among the children there? You don't want your child to be isolated in the middle of the wilderness do you?

Will the camp provide transportation?

How much will the camp tuition cost? B careful of the hidden expenses in the fees. Be sure to ask if you will have to pay for any other expenses such as trips outside the camp.

What is the camp's philosophy? Different camps have different ways to run the camp. There are those that are big on discipline while others focus on the learning side of the camp. The camp should have clear goals and a program to meet those goals.

What will the schedule be? Are there free periods for rest?

What is the background of the camp director? If the director is a first timer this might affect the way things are run in the camp. An experienced director will have a smooth and efficient camp.

What is the level of expertise of the staff? This is especially important in a specialty camp where the skill level of the instructors are under scrutiny. If you are sending your child to a music camp you would want a professional music teacher to be the instructor.

What are the condition of the facilities and equipment? Check if the camp site is near a raging river, cliffs and quicksand. You may want your child to experience nature but not in all of it's unprotected glory.

Are the living quarters comfortable and sanitary. Are there bathrooms and electricity in the bunks? If your child detests camping in a tent, this question is an absolute must.