Top 3 Factors to Consider in a Virtual Summer Camp

Exploring the outdoors and socializing with friends in person is what we all want for our children’s summer camp experience. However, what is preferable is not currently practical, given safety concerns due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the reality that many parents need to work full-time from home. Virtual summer camp may be our best, if not only, solution right now. To select the virtual summer camp that will keep children connected and stimulated, albeit socially distanced, parents should consider three important factors.

A student arranging flowers in an online ikebana (Japanese flower arrangement) class.

Your Child

The primary factor to consider here is your child. Her interests, social interaction style, and virtual experience and expectations are key in the selection process. Most children spend the school year being told what they should learn and with whom, how often, and in what format. Summertime is your chance to help your child reclaim ownership of her learning and reconnect with her real interests. Whether it’s cooking, skateboarding, insects, medieval knights, manga, drums and percussion, outer space, ancient Greek gods and goddesses, ninja training, chess, clowns, or even walking tours of Rome or Iceland, there are virtual summer camps that meet your child’s particular interests. There are camps that curate classes based on the interests of your child and bring them to life through virtual field trips and interactive lessons. Do your research and find a camp that will ignite your child’s inborn curiosity and love for learning.

The level of social interaction your child is seeking will help determine the virtual camp that works best for him. Is your child looking for social interaction with his friends? Is he hoping to make new friends? Or is socializing not on his agenda at all when it comes to virtual camps? Reach out to camp directors to find out how much emphasis is placed on students interacting with each other or working collaboratively on projects. Ask about time spent playing games, socializing, and creating together versus teacher-directed activities.

Children’s on-screen focus and attention level will greatly impact their engagement in virtual camps. Because of COVID-19, almost every child in elementary school and beyond has tried some aspect of online learning by now. Many children enjoy interactive virtual classes when classes are broken into time segments that are age-appropriate, and when the children have short breaks between classes. Some children find interactive classes distracting or frustrating and prefer the pace and control of recorded online classes. Others thrive when provided with a mix of the two. Where does your child fall on the spectrum of virtual learning?

In Travel the World, expert travelers/researchers and local guides virtually introduce children to historical landmarks in Athens, Reykjavik, Rome, and other cities around the world.

Teaching Staff

The people teaching and engaging with your child will have a great impact on her camp experience. Your child might find a Greek mythology class taught by a college professor informative, but she may find the topic more relatable when taught by someone her own age. When the medium of communication is virtual, the connection your child feels through a screen is just as important as the knowledge shared. Strong background knowledge, a personality that shines through the screen, and a creative online teaching style guarantee the engagement and interest of almost any child.

Before you sign your child up, read the teacher’s bio. A teacher’s background and level of experience play a significant role in determining the quality of the camp experience, and should carry more weight than the camp’s title or description. Get in touch with the teacher and communicate your child’s learning style. His response will give you a sense of whether the camp suits your her needs.

Children get up close and personal with ants in an online entomology class.

Virtual Setting

Camp size, duration of camp classes, the general structure of the camp, and whether there are behavior agreements in place are all important variables that will determine whether a camp is the right fit for your child. Reach out to the camp director for this information. Here are guidelines that will help you determine what to look for:

Ideally, a virtual camp size is anywhere between seven to 10 students for children 10 years of age and older. Children six to nine years old work best in groups of about seven kids, since they may need more attention, more time to work on projects, or more time to communicate their ideas through a screen. The age-appropriate duration of online camp classes is 50–60 minutes for children 10 and older, and 30–40 minutes for children ages six to nine. Children’s engagement is highest when three component structures are used: teacher-led, interactive, and hands-on. The length and level of each component will depend upon the topic and the age group. Classroom management is vital to creating a safe and respectful learning environment. Co-creating behavior agreements with the campers is a guaranteed way to elicit commitment from the children.

Finally, get in touch with the camp director and ask for a trial class! Trial classes help alleviate the pressure of committing to a camp before knowing whether or not your child will enjoy it.

Considering these factors can help you find a virtual camp that will keep your child engaged, connected, and happy at home. If you’re finding the process tricky and need someone to talk it through, get in touch. I’m happy to help!

Dr. Maysaa Bazna is an educator, scholar, and an avid advocate for children having a voice in their education. She founded Pono, NYC’s only democratic and outdoor school, and continues as its director. She designs, along with the children at Pono, the virtual Pono classes and camps. She is a consultant on virtual learning programming and design. Maysaa received her doctorate and master’s degrees from Columbia University Teachers College and was a member of the faculty at Teachers College and City University of New York. Her daughter is a member of the Pono community.