Summer camps? (Raleigh, Cary, Chapel Hill: chapel, YMCA, preschools)

[alice_61]

We're moving to Chapel Hill this summer and want to find a day camp for our 6 year old daughter. She'd prefer a mix of indoor and outdoor activities and really likes crafts. Any suggestions (or camps to avoid)?

Thanks,
Alice

[NCHomeFinder]

I live in Raleigh, so I can't comment directly on camps in Chapel Hill - however, the Carolina Parent was a good resource for us when we first moved here for camps and preschools.
www.carolinaparent.com
There is a "Camp Fair", kind of like a job fair for summer camp, coming up soon:

2007 Camp & Education Fair
Camp & Education Fair
February 11, 2007
12-4pm
Pat Cary Academy
1500 Harrison Ave., Cary

If you go to Carolina Parent, click on "Events: Camp and Ed Fair" on the left, there is more information, as well as links to all of the different camps that will be represented.

It's a start, anyway! Also, check out the YMCA - they offer fantastic camps.

[bluedevilz]

Originally Posted by alice_61

We're moving to Chapel Hill this summer and want to find a day camp for our 6 year old daughter. She'd prefer a mix of indoor and outdoor activities and really likes crafts. Any suggestions (or camps to avoid)?

Thanks,
Alice

2 good ones for you....

Camp Clearwater

Chapel Hill YMCA Day camp, my kids have gone the last 3 summers and loved it. Very traditional summer camp, there is a lake for fishing, boating. Arts and crafts, games, archery, sports....

Only drawback is no onsite pool, they bus the kids back to the Y one day during the week for swimming. But it is a great camp and very popular.

Glazed Expectations.

In Chapel Hill, pottery camp, kids make great creations during the week my kids loved it last few years.

[Desdemona123]

Originally Posted by alice_61

We're moving to Chapel Hill this summer and want to find a day camp for our 6 year old daughter. She'd prefer a mix of indoor and outdoor activities and really likes crafts. Any suggestions (or camps to avoid)?

Thanks,
Alice

Just keep in mind that many folks find camps to be more expensive down here then they are in other areas. I still send my daughter to camp up north (though not where we had lived) because she can have a month at camp for what an equivalent camp would cost down here.

[bluedevilz]

Originally Posted by Desdemona123

Just keep in mind that many folks find camps to be more expensive down here then they are in other areas. I still send my daughter to camp up north (though not where we had lived) because she can have a month at camp for what an equivalent camp would cost down here.

The overnight camps down here are ridiculously expensive....

My daughter went to Camp Cheerio last summer for 2 weeks and loved it, but we could have sent her to camp in New Hampshire for much less, and would have this summer if we weren't already shut out...

But day camps, not much choice in the matter, and for the most part, I don't think you get gouged as much on those down here

[Desdemona123]

Originally Posted by bluedevilz

The overnight camps down here are ridiculously expensive....

My daughter went to Camp Cheerio last summer for 2 weeks and loved it, but we could have sent her to camp in New Hampshire for much less, and would have this summer if we weren't already shut out...

But day camps, not much choice in the matter, and for the most part, I don't think you get gouged as much on those down here

I admit I haven't really looked into day camps because they normally don't fit our work schedule but our friends found them more expensive then their area (but to be honest, theirs sounded down-right cheap).

I know a good, nicely old-fashioned (it's been around for 80 years, with lots of alumni support), non-religious, all-girls camp in Northern Michigan if you want to PM me.

[alice_61]

Thank you very much for the help. I will explore the Carolina Parent website. Unfortunately, we won't be in NC for the camp fair. The Chapel Hill Parks and Rec camps are the cheapest but I have been advised by two different mothers to avoid them because the kids tend to be rougher in them. The YMCA Camp Clearwater is the next most economical one that I have found so far. I think that is the default unless I find something better. Was it competitive? We need to find something affordable but friendly and safe.

Thanks,
Alice

[bluedevilz]

Originally Posted by alice_61

Thank you very much for the help. I will explore the Carolina Parent website. Unfortunately, we won't be in NC for the camp fair. The Chapel Hill Parks and Rec camps are the cheapest but I have been advised by two different mothers to avoid them because the kids tend to be rougher in them. The YMCA Camp Clearwater is the next most economical one that I have found so far. I think that is the default unless I find something better. Was it competitive? We need to find something affordable but friendly and safe.

Thanks,
Alice

Camp Clearwater is very friendly and safe. By competitive, do you mean among the kids or competitive to get into?

Most camps fill up early, so in that respect, yes you don't want to wait too long to make reservations.

In terms of competition among the campers...no...not at all. Its the YMCA, cooperation not comptetition is stressed.

It really is a nice camp, in a great location right in Chapel Hill. I would say its a perfect camp for a 6 year old.

[alice_61]

Thank you for the reassurance, Bluedevilz.

[littleveit]

I know a wonderful horse-back riding farm with really safe, high quality summer camps. Their website is www.springforthfarm.com, or you can call Laura Feather at 919-383-8853 and tell her that Lindsay recommended the farm to you!