Summer camps: 10 answers to questions from parents

The school holidays, and in particular those of summer, are the occasion for the parents to let their children leave in summer camp, either in France or abroad. This type of stay, far from the family home, has several benefits for a child and a teenager: it allows them to strengthen their capacities for autonomy, socialization and to learn the rules of life in the community. The children generally come back grown up, fulfilled, with lots of memories in mind and new friends.

At what age can a child go on a summer camp?

It is often during adolescence that parents send their children for the first time to summer camps. But some are available from the age of 4. Of course, it also depends on your judgement: if you find that your child is too young to go to camp, you are free to offer him the following years, when he will be older.

What is the average price of a summer camp for children?

The average price of a summer camp is 550 euros per weekaccording to’Ifop study commissioned by the association La Jeunesse en plein air and published in May 2019. In general, the cost varies in relation to the duration of the stay, but also according to the offer of the activities offered and the place of holiday destination.

What are the aids of the Caf to go to a summer camp?

There are aid to finance a summer camp. The Family Allowance Fund (CAF) grants theAVE (Children’s Holiday Aid), which is part of Vacaf aid, to benefiting families whose children are aged 7 to 16. The national agency for holiday voucher (ANCV) offers organizations in contact with vulnerable groups either aid for holiday projects, i.e. the solidarity grant (BSV) which makes it possible to finance all or part of a holiday stay in France and Europe.

THE works councils may have vouchers or holiday vouchers, pricing policies, pricing actions with associations. Some charities can also help low-income or underprivileged families finance their children’s holidays.

What are the holiday camp organizations in France?

In France, there are several summer camp organizations, including:

• Totemia
• Djuringa Juniors
• EF Education First
• Supernova Juniors
• UFCV
• Cape Juniors

Which holiday camp to choose?

To choose a summer camp for your child, you must above all know what your desires are. He wants to go to France or abroad, to make a sporting stay or in the heart of nature? To avoid disappointment, do not hesitate to ask him what he likes and focus your research on their expectations. What is certain is that the more your child is involved in choosing his summer camp, the more he will enjoy his stay! Obviously, the rhythm of the colony must be well adapted to its age and its degree of autonomy.

A summer camp is a stay that takes place in a group within a collective reception structure. Children are usually accommodated in rooms with 2 to 6 beds. However, the children benefit from free time which allows them to be alone if they wish.

According to the different summer camps offered, the accommodation may be different. Often, the children are all among themselves, broken down by age group. They also take their meals together to promote group cohesion. Various activities punctuate the day of the little holidaymakers according to the theme of the chosen camp: sports, hikes, arts, language lessons, fun, educational and educational activities.

In camp, a facilitator takes care of how many children?

In a camp, the number of leaders varies according to the age of the children. To frame them, there must be at least one animator for 8 children if they are under 6 years old, and one animator for 12 children if they are 6 years old and over. In all cases, the children are supervised by a qualified staff, salaried or voluntary, at least 16 years oldwho has either a certificate of aptitude (Bafa, BAFD) or a qualification certified by their status as a public official in the field of animation.

What to put in your child’s suitcase for his colony?

Before going to summer camp, carefully prepare your child’s belongings, which obviously vary according to the duration, nature and destination of the stay. Generally, the organization of the colony sends you, a few weeks before departure, a list of business to take for the stay. Pay attention to the recommendations concerning:

• The type of luggage (mandatory backpack, suitcase).
• Sports gear depending on the activities offered (walking shoes, trainers, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, anorak).
• Business for every day (towel, sleeping bag…).
• Don’t forget to write your child’s name on their belongings with labels.
• Limit valuables (jewellery, money, consoles, smartphone) or find out what items are allowed or not, and whether children are responsible for them.

Can we call our children during the holiday stay?

Communication with the parents is maintained during a stay in summer camp. Parents can have the director’s number and Colony Headquarters is there to answer questions. Sometimes, a time slot is arranged to allow you to communicate with your children.

If it’s a traveling colony, don’t hesitate to ask for a detailed roadmap and, a telephone number as well as a mailing address if you wish to send mail to your child.

Are you stressed about letting your child go? He too is apprehensive about leaving far from you? This is completely normal ! Before departure, try to reassure him by making the most of the holidays he is about to experience, by informing him of the return date and how you will pick him up.

You can also entrust him with an object that belongs to you (a scarf, a photo, etc.) that he can hold very tightly if he feels bad during the stay. Also remember to tell him that the contact will not be broken, that you can communicate as soon as he feels the need.