How to Pick a Summer Camp Your Child Will Love

When it comes to choosing the right summer camp for your kids, the options can feel endless — and overwhelming. Parents are often faced with big questions: How long should camp be? Should it focus on academics, enrichment or just fun? Is my child even ready for camp?

As families begin planning for summer 2026, Tulsa-area parents will find no shortage of choices, from classic overnight camps to a wide range of half-day and full-day programs. With so many options available, experts say the best decisions come down to three essential factors: age readiness, a child’s interests and safety.

According to Shade Jalo, vice president of youth development at the YMCA of Greater Tulsa, parents should start by looking beyond surface-level considerations.

“Outside of the obvious items like cost and location, parents should really look at what is being offered and what space their child will thrive in. For some, the geared specialty camps focusing on a specific skill or interest may be a great model. In those cases, a camp matching their interest would be a great way to go,” Jalo said.

Age Matters — But Readiness Matters More

While some camps accept children as young as 3, experts stress that chronological age alone should not determine readiness. Developmental factors such as attention span, emotional maturity, fine motor skills and the ability to follow instructions all influence how successful a child’s camp experience will be.

“It’s different for each child. On a more general scale, the most ideal time is once they’ve completed kindergarten,” Jalo said.

Debbie Almohandis, director of summer programs at Holland Hall, agrees that age-appropriate placement is critical and must go beyond a birthdate.

“You want to make sure the camps are age-appropriate for that child,” Almohandis said. Holland Hall offers camps for ages 3 through adults. For young children, parents should consider things like manual dexterity and a child’s ability to follow instruction when deciding if they are ready for a camp, Almohandis said.

Parents should also consider the structure of the camp day. Younger children may benefit from shorter sessions, while older children often thrive in longer programs that allow for deeper engagement, friendships and independence-building experiences.

Household dynamics also play a role. Some families feel comfortable enrolling children in camp at a very young age, while others prefer to wait.

Photo credit: Christopher McConnell/Holland Hall

Let Kids’ Interests Lead the Decision

Beyond age, experts emphasize the importance of choosing camps that align with a child’s interests. While camp should encourage growth and exploration, completely unfamiliar environments can increase anxiety — especially for first-time campers.

“When thinking of things like specialty camps and skill-based camps, it’s best to work with what the child already enjoys,” Jalo said. “Especially when we consider that the camp experience could be itself something new for many children, having something that the child is interested in gives them an element of consistency, safety and fun.”

Camps that reflect a child’s existing interests also help build confidence and engagement. Children are more likely to participate fully when they feel capable and excited about the activities they’re doing.

At the same time, camps still provide opportunities to try new things.

“Learning new things falls right in with helping to build a sense of achievement. Kids may experience archery for the first time, or a new sport, and they’ll certainly make some new friends. Camp will have plenty of new experiences to allow for development, so let your child’s interests help play a role in which camp they take part of,” Jalo said.

Experts recommend involving children directly in the selection process. Reading camp descriptions together and watching for excitement or hesitation can provide important insight.

“The parent should read the camp description out loud to the child, and if they have that sparkle in the eye, ‘Yes, I want to do that camp!’ You always want to hear why the child thinks that sounds like a good camp,” Almohandis said.

Parents should also carefully review camp descriptions themselves to make sure they are comfortable with any special activities in the camp, such as field trips or working with tools.

Limiting choices can also help children feel more confident in their decision-making.

“If a child is indecisive, when you recommend 10 camps, it’s overwhelming. If you’re able to whittle it down to two or three that they had a positive reaction to, they will usually respond positively,” Almohandis said.

Allowing children to have a voice in the process creates stronger buy-in and a better overall experience.

“It is so vitally important to allow children to have an opinion, and if they do that, you’re going to have a much happier camper,” Almohandis said.

No matter a child’s age or interests, experts agree on one thing: safety should always come first.

Photo by Taylor Puckett

Safety Should Be a Top Priority

While fun and enrichment matter, safety should be nonnegotiable when choosing a summer camp.

Staff training is one of the most important indicators of a camp’s quality and preparedness.

“Staff training is a key factor,” Jalo said.

Accreditation and licensing provide another layer of protection for families.

“Most licensing and accreditation organizations, such as the Department of Human Services or the American Camp Association, require a level of safety that is enforced by that licensure. If camps hold these, then they are more likely to be doing the work already to keep kids safe,” Jalo said.

Screening processes are equally important to ensure children’s safety.

“We want to make sure that the adults who are working with the children in the camp are allowed to be working with children,” Jalo said.

He advised that parents ask what screening measures, such as background checks, a camp uses to ensure they have the right people.

The Bottom Line

Choosing the right summer camp isn’t about finding the most popular program or the trendiest option. It’s about understanding your child — their maturity level, interests, personality and needs — and matching them with a camp environment where they can feel safe, confident and excited to participate.

By considering age readiness, honoring children’s interests and prioritizing safety standards, parents can make thoughtful decisions that lead to meaningful summer experiences. The right camp doesn’t just fill a schedule — it builds confidence, independence and memories that last long after summer ends.

Questions to Ask About Camp Safety

Before enrolling your child in a summer camp, Shade Jalo with the YMCA of Greater Tulsa recommends asking these key safety questions:

• Do staff members have CPR training?
• What safety training do staff complete before camp begins?
• How does the organization approach child abuse prevention?
• What safeguards are in place to protect children in their care?

Lindsay Morris is a native Tulsan, writer and founder of Tulsa Places, where she highlights local businesses and family fun. She works in healthcare marketing and communications.