Summer may be months away, but summer camp registration season seems to come earlier every year. Whether your child wants a day camp or spend-the-night camp, sports or science, dance or music, Birmingham has all of the options to keep your family happy and entertained all summer.
Summer camp registration can feel chaotic with multiple sessions to sort through, deadlines you can’t miss, and waitlists you are watching daily. These 8 tips for summer camp registration can help you maintain your sanity while getting into the camps you want and need.
1. Determine Your Summer Needs
Are there any camps that will be required for your child to continue an activity they love throughout the year? Is camp just for fun, to improve skills, or do you need childcare? What budget for summer camps will still allow the family trip you’ve been planning?
2. Make Your Summer Calendar
Fill your calendar with must-do activities first: required camps, a family reunion or trip that has already been booked, and summer activities you never miss. Next, note the weeks you absolutely need childcare so that you can prioritize finding a camp for those dates. Then, add in top-pick camps that your child really wants or goes to every year. Finally, set aside weeks you would like to save for a family vacation or free time.
3. Narrow Down Your Camp Options
The hundreds of great camp choices can be overwhelming! We created a Guide to Birmingham Summer Camps that will help you narrow down your options to a few great camps that suit your needs and your child’s interests. I like to choose a few camps first to get an idea of which weeks I need to be looking at. My kids may not end up attending all of them, but if a camp fills up and I need to pivot, I’m not starting from square one with my back-ups.
4. Coordinate with Friends
Camp is always more fun with a friend! Ask who is doing which camp and when.
5. Prepare for Registration Days
Registration day can be so stressful! With a little preparation and organization, you can take your stress level from a ten to a one.
- Some camps allow former campers to register earlier than newbies. Take advantage of early registration for camps that offer it for you!
- Make a list of camp dates and sessions, along with backup camps, that you want to register your child for. Include the website, registration date, cost, and friends who are attending.
- Put registration dates in your calendar and schedule reminders for the night before registration so you won’t miss them. If possible, clear your schedule for the 10-15 minutes around registration time so you know you’ll be available to quickly nab a spot.
- If your camp offers it, create an account and complete as much information as possible before the day of registration. This can significantly decrease your registration time and may be the difference between getting in and being waitlisted.
6. Work Ahead: The Night Before Registration
The night before, set your alarm for registration time, and be sure you will have access to a computer then. Many camps recommend using a computer instead of a mobile device to register. Do a test log-in beforehand to work out any kinks. Check that you have everything you’ll need for the next morning, like the following information:
- Your child’s birthday
- Your child’s medical history, including current medications
- Health insurance card
- Pediatrician name, phone number, and address (& maybe even dentist!)
- Emergency contact information
- Credit card
(Often you can register without all of this, but occasionally you need everything on this list to complete registration.)
Be a good friend and remind other moms wanting to register for camp that tomorrow is the big day!
7. Rock Registration Day
You prepared everything ahead of time to rock registration day. Congratulations! You got in!
(Or Create a Back Up Plan)
Or maybe you didn’t get in and you feel terrible about your mom fail. Maybe you missed registration altogether. Don’t worry–life will go on! Add yourself to the waitlist if this is a top priority camp. If you need childcare that week, return to your list of possible camps and choose another great adventure for your child. If this was just a bonus fun week, consider whether you want another camp option or if you’d prefer to use this opportunity to save money and spend free time with the family.
8. Enjoy the Journey
Use these tips to help you stay organized and prevent registration from feeling hectic. Keep it fun for yourself and your children. Don’t make getting in “the right camp” more important to you than it is to your kids. Maybe they will discover a new camp they love or a develop a new interest. If you don’t get into their BFF’s camp session, they may start the week without knowing anyone, but that can be a great opportunity to leave with 5 new besties! Try to relax, be flexible, and have fun with all of it!
Which camps are your kids excited to attend this summer?
