An at-home parent-led day camp can be a great personalized experience for a child with special needs. But before you go to the trouble of planning and inviting, make sure this type of summertime experience will work for you as well as your child. Ask yourself these questions:
1. Do I have the time?
When I did a do-it-yourself day camp with two moms of my son's friends, we did it for four hours a day, five days a week, for every week of summer vacation. Field-trip days ran longer. That's a major time commitment, but a necessary one to make this feel like camp for the kids. If you can't devote a significant block of time for a "Camp Mom" experience, you might be better off with a more traditional out-of-home camp for your child.
2. What's my child's schedule like?
Just as you'll need to devote a block of time to "Camp Mom," so will your little camper. If your summer days are sprinkled with therapy appointments and doctor visits and other unavoidable commitments, you might do better with scheduled playdates rather than a full-scale "Camp Mom." If possible, try to schedule the appointments in the early morning or late afternoon, and you may have enough "Camp Mom" time in between.
3. Do I need a break?
"Camp Mom" is a hands-on operation, with parents working directly with kids throughout the day. If you cherish the hours your child is off at school or day care as some much-needed "me time," think about whether you're willing to sacrifice that respite.
4. What will my other kids do?
If there are siblings involved, will they be able to participate in "Camp Mom," too? If they have other places to be, will getting them there and back interfere with your "Camp Mom" time? And will they have any resentment toward your spending so much time with your special-needs child? These are all factors to think about when it comes to planning a "Camp Mom." When I did it for my son, the younger sibling of one of his friends attended, and got along well with the older kids.
5. Are there better options?
It can be really difficult to find a good summertime option for a child with special needs; mainstream camps may not be a good fit, but special-needs camps can be prohibitively expensive. Check the possibilities out, though, to make sure that there's not something you're overlooking. Ask teachers and therapists for recommendations, and see if an extended school year program is available. Some kids thrive in the independence that comes with being away from mom, and you'll want to think carefully about losing that.
6. Does my child play well with others?
Your child doesn't have to play well with everybody, but it would help if he's amenable to playing with the campers you're choosing for "Camp Mom." If she doesn't like sharing you or at least peacefully parallel playing with other kids, a small-group camping experience may be stressful. Such groups can also stretch kids and build social skills, so it's worth really carefully thinking about whether this could work.
7. Am I comfortable interacting with other kids?
The "Camp Mom" plan I'm proposing involves parents acting as camp counselors, running activities, leading field trips, guiding projects, and otherwise being right in the thick of it with the campers. You don't have to be a certified teacher or having extensive experience in working with children, but it helps if you have a certain level of comfort and rapport.
8. Am I comfortable interacting with other parents?
One of the highlights of "Camp Mom" for me was sitting and having coffee with the other moms while our kids were engaged in projects or independent play. If the thought of spending every weekday of summer with the same parents sounds like too much togetherness, this do-it-yourself day care may not be your best option. Then again, your child isn't the only one whose social skills can be strengthened.
9. How creative and flexible am I?
Even the best-laid plans sometimes fall apart, and you'll need to be able to think on your feet and hold your temper. Kids may hate your activities, or finish them way faster than you expected. Weather happens, and so do moody kids and big messes. The more you can roll with the punches, the more fun camp will be for everyone. Does that sound like you?
10. Are you prepared to make a total commitment?
There are no contracts in "Camp Mom," no nonrefundable deposits -- but if you're dedicated to giving your child a great summer-camp experience, you really don't want to try it for a week or two and then peter out. There may always be extenuating circumstances, but you should be prepared to see things through for the entire amount of time you and the other parents have set aside. Let your child know what to expect.
