It’s not too late to get your child into summer camp. Here’s how to find one in Miami

School is out for the summer. But learning, growth and development should not be.

In fact, new research shows that while children from all backgrounds and abilities follow similar patterns of learning improvement during the school year, the summer is when many of the most vulnerable children fall behind.

There is still time to sign up for the many summer programs offered in Miami-Dade, including The Children’s Trust-funded programs, Summer305 programs from Miami-Dade County Public Schools and others offering a variety of options throughout the county that cater to your child’s needs and what works best for parents and caregivers.

Not every child has the same interests, so before you settle on a program, find out what you want your child to be learning and doing in the summer. Here are some types of camps to consider.

▪ STEAM-Creative learning: A great way to combine learning and fun can be found at a variety of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics summer camps. These emphasize real-world applications of these sciences in engaging and entertaining ways that will keep your child learning, possibly without them even realizing it. Robotics, coding, photography and examining nature are among the activities.

▪ Read to succeed: Reading proficiency is one of the top areas affected by the summer slide. A summer camp with a literacy component makes sense for many children and families. Many Trust-funded summer camps and others include literacy supports, small group tutoring by certified teachers, parental involvement (so get ready to read along!) and access to other yearlong resources.

▪ Getting Active: The need for our children to be physically active is well known and summer camp is a perfect chance to get them moving and develop a love of sports, dance and other exercise. Look out for camps with Sports, Play, and Active Recreation for Kids (SPARK) that offer at least one hour of physical activity through structured physical fitness programs that keep children moving, while promoting fitness, fun, teamwork and cooperative play.

▪ Miami-Dade Parks: The county’s parks have a wide array of summer camps, running from June 13 to Aug. 12, with some going through Aug. 19. Sign up at https://www.miamidade.gov/global/service.page?Mduid_service=ser1540496326545854

▪ Children with disabilities: Today’s camps are welcoming to all children. An increasing percentage of summer campers report living with disabilities, with summer programs providing a space to participate and continue to develop academically and physically. Talk with camp staff about their readiness and facilities that support and provide services to a child with special needs.

Whichever summer camp best suits your child’s needs, there is some general information you’ll want to know before signing up.

▪ Summer camps countywide: Wherever children and families live in the county, there is likely to be a summer camp nearby. Don’t forget to ask about transportation services, as some camps offer them to children. For a listing of summer programs funded by The Children’s Trust, visit www.TheChildrensTrust.org/

▪ Personal attention: It’s important that the summer program your child attends has enough staff. Before signing your child up ask what training the staff receives and for their credentials, including criminal background screenings.

▪ Safety: Taking care of your children and making sure they are safe always needs to be a summer camp’s top priority. Ensure safe drop-off and pickup procedures are in place. Check that all outdoor spaces are properly enclosed and that there are snacks, water and sunscreen available to keep your child energized and hydrated. Camp counselors should be extensively background screened as well as trained and certified in CPR, first aid and automated external defibrillator safety. Finally, make sure you know the camp’s emergency procedures.

Summer camp is one of the best ways to keep your children growing, learning and having fun in the summer. Find the right camp for your child and sign them up today!

Tatiana Canelas is an associate director of programs at The Children’s Trust. Her portfolio includes programs’ continuous quality and learning improvement efforts and The Trust’s Youth Development 6-12 grades initiative.

This story was originally published June 9, 2022 at 1:03 PM.