Summer Day Camp Bethesda MD

Finding the right summer day camp in Bethesda, MD, doesn’t have to be a daunting task. Summer day camp is a place for your child can learn new skills, acquire new interests, and make new friends. It is important to remember that there is no one-size-fits-all camp and that there are things you need to consider when looking for the right day camp for your child.

Finding the right camp is going to take a little bit of homework on your part. If you aren’t sure where to start, we compiled a list of how to find the right camp not only for you but for your child as well.

Finding The Right Summer Day Camp

If you’ve never had to search for a summer day camp, then here is a list of things to consider when looking for one:

Know Your Child 

You should talk it over and narrow the options based on your child’s interests and needs. You should find out what they want from the experience and then together you can make a list of things that they might like to do. Something else you should also consider is their developmental needs and their comfort level. The great thing about a day camp is that they don’t have to spend time overnight if they aren’t ready to. You should also take this time to encourage them to step out of their comfort zone.

Gather Information 

Once you have found what your child is interested in, you can go about looking for camps made for that interest. You should call each prospective camp and inquire about their philosophy, daily schedule, and other topics important to you. Investments time upfront and you may find a camp to stay with for several years to come.

Location

You should find a camp close to your home to shorten travel time and allow quick access to your child in the case of an emergency. Unlike a sleep-away camp, your child is going to come home at the end day. The convenience shouldn’t be the primary factor though and you should balance your decision with what they can offer and its location. If your child really wants to take part in a camp but it is further away, you may need to consider your willingness to drive out of the way.

Consider Program Length 

Program length should be viewed in light of the family and the child’s needs. If your schedule takes having them stay a full day, you should ask about before and after care. Especially if your child is younger should find out about naps or quiet times that happen. It is also important to find out who runs the program and if it’s the same staff your child is with all day. 

Finding the right summer day camp in Bethesda, Maryland, doesn’t have to be a daunting task and if you have any questions about one of our programs, don’t hesitate to reach out to the Koa Sports team for more information today.

Summer Day Camps: FAQs

If you’re thinking about sending your child to a Bethesda, MD summer day camp but you’re hesitating because you don’t yet feel like you have all the information you need, that’s okay. At Koa Sports, we’re happy to answer questions and clarify any concerns that you may have. You can always feel free to pick up the phone or to reach out online. It would be our pleasure to assist you.

In the meantime, we’d like to provide you with some basic answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about summer day camps. If our answers inspire additional questions, don’t hesitate to write them down for easy reference when you give us a call. We believe that knowledge is power and we applaud you for doing your research before sending your child to the Bethesda summer day camp that best fits their needs.

What is a day camp?

Unlike overnight – or “sleepaway” – camps, day camps generally take place during business hours, give or take a stretch of time in the early morning and/or evening. Instead of sleeping under the supervision of camp staff, participants head home at the end of their day to spend time with their families and sleep in their own beds.

What defines a “summer” camp?

There are many different kinds of camps. Some camps last for a single weekend, while others last for a season or more. Summer camps take place during the summer months, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they last all season long. While some opportunities do last for months, others last for weeks or even days. Summer camp schedules vary. The common thread that unites them all is that they take place when school is traditionally not in session for the hottest months of the year.

Are summer day camps expensive?

Each camp sets its own fees. It’s a good idea to research not only the base fees of a program but also supplemental fees that may apply as well. For example, you may discover too late that the tuition payments you’ve made don’t cover your child’s favorite activities. With that said, many camps streamline their tuition to make payment as easy as possible on parents and kids alike.

Do all summer camps take place in the woods?

No! While the idyllic “camp in the woods” model is great for some kids, others thrive when attending camps set in urban environments, in suburban locations, and even out at sea. Consider your child’s unique needs when choosing a camp experience to best compliment them.

Are summer camps safe?

Although no Bethesda summer day camp is ever completely safe – because no environment is – camps are generally held to significant safety standards due to their status as care providers for minor children. With that said, safety is not a concern to be treated lightly. If you have concerns about safety – at Koa Sports or any other camp – don’t hesitate to research the camp’s safety record before entrusting your child to its care.

Why Koa Sports Is a Great Option

If you’re thinking about sending your kids to a Bethesda, MD summer day camp, know that Koa Sports may be a great fit for their needs. Unlike some summer day camps that focus exclusively on competitive sports and don’t meet any needs beyond the space, coaching staff, and equipment needed to practice day-in and day-out, Koa is more than a sports outfit. We serve as a “third place” for kids to grow and learn as budding members of the wider community.

The central mission of Koa Sports is “shaping kids’ lives through sports.” Notice that this mission isn’t “develop elite athletes at all costs.” We believe in treating kids – who happen to be athletes – as unique individuals worthy of our sincere attention, consideration, and care. As a result, kids who attend our camp don’t just walk away with more developed sports skills. They describe their experience as positive, fun, and our staff as dedicated and caring.

Life Lessons and Dedicated Development Strategies

With that said, our Bethesda summer day camp certainly does revolve around sports. When children dedicate their time to sports, they learn lessons about themselves, others, and life in general. We believe in using sports as a vehicle to teach kids about hard work, self-discipline, sportsmanship, overcoming obstacles, and coping with adversity. These lessons apply regardless of the sport being practiced and regardless of the skill level of each participant involved in our camp.

We provide access to both sport-specific camp opportunities and multi-sport camp opportunities because we know that each young athlete has different needs. Some kids are eager to focus their attention on a single beloved sport and to become the best they can be. Others are interested in learning about a variety of sports before cultivating passion for one or a few. Still others just want to be active generally and to have fun and build confidence in a team-based environment. No matter which descriptor most closely resembles your child’s approach, our day camp staff will employ sports-specific techniques to develop both their athletic and life skills.

Everyone Is Welcome

Koa Sports operates on a year-round basis. We offer programming in the summer, autumn, winter, and spring. We strive to offer opportunities for all ages and experience levels so that every child can benefit from an inclusive team environment, top-notch coaching staff, and the lessons that our programming has to offer.

If you are interested in enrolling your child in our Bethesda summer day camp, know that they will be truly welcome regardless of who they are, how well they play, and what their goals for the season may be. If you have any specific questions or concerns about our summer day camp programming, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our staff. It would be our pleasure to speak with you and to discuss if Koa Sports might be a great fit for your child. We look forward to speaking with you.

Why Kids Need Outdoor Sports More Than Ever

Many parents use Bethesda MD summer day camp at Koa Sports as a way to get their kids involved in socializing again. In a period when we have been faced with many adversities, including a global pandemic, it has caused us to isolate ourselves away from the natural earth and other people in our lives. Staying cooped up inside can make us inclined to rely on technological devices and television to keep our mind occupied. Kids who don’t get enough socialization and sunshine may not feel great mentally and physically. Here are just a few reasons why kids need outdoor sports more than ever before.

Sunshine is Good

Sunshine provides us with a good source of vitamin C for ourselves and our children. Vitamin D helps our body absorb calcium, which helps our bones stay strong. Through our Bethesda summer day camp, your children can spend enough time outside during the day, which can be helpful to their sleep patterns at night. Research has shown that those who don’t get outdoors enough can have problems with their sleep, which then affects your overall mood and outlook. 

Improved Immunity

Playing sports outdoors can help enhance a child’s immune system. Similar to how the mind learns through mental activities, the body learns to ward off sickness and disease by engaging with the natural world. So the next time that you see your child coming back home dirty because they were playing a sport in the mud or grass, consider this a success. Getting dirty means that their body’s self defense mechanism gets stronger.

Making Friendships

One of the things that the pandemic has taught us is just how important other people are in our lives. Our children may have hobbies that are strictly indoors, such as playing video games or doing crafts. But a child also needs to learn the skills and rewards associated with playing with others outside. In this way, they learn teamwork, which is a vital skill for how they’re able to exist with others in the future. By interacting with others and making choices collectively as a group, they’re also making friendship at the same time.

Healthy Mind and Body

According to research, kids who play outdoors are at a lower risk for obesity in their childhood, which can affect adulthood. Physical activity is a way for kids to exert excess energy. Since they are still growing, they will have more than enough energy to burn. A healthy body also means a healthy mind. By participating in a group activity, where there may be wins and losses, provides practice for better regulating their emotions too.

Being a kid is supposed to be fun, and it helps when physical activity benefits both body and mind too. There are many outlets for getting your kid outside in the fresh air and socializing with others. If you want to sign your kid up for Bethesda summer day camp, let’s get them started by contacting Koa Sports today!