Camp or ESY

My 5 yr old DS has an IEP. Been in IE since 1.5 and then in the self contained preschool till kindergarten. Now he's in mainstream K with a special needs teacher. He's doing very well. Between learning, OT and speech he's doing very good. Enjoys school. He's been in the ESY (Extended school year) for the last 3 summers. He likes going, but not sure how much he gets out of it for 6 weeks in the summer. I know it's review and still does Speech and OT.

Since they recommended him for mainstream Kindergarten last yr bc he's doing well and continues to I assumed this summer he wasn't doing the ESY. I started looking into camps. I fell in love with a small camp that would be perfect for him. The art, activities and swimming would help with OT and PT as well as keep him active. He still doesn't know how to swim even with Y lessons. I feel like he'd get it going to camp and doing swim lessons about an hour a day then free swim in the afternoon.
Just recently his teachers told me he's been doing very well with work.
So here's my issue. I was just talking to a friends who's son is also in DS's class with an IEP as well. They've been together since 3. SHe said her DS was recommended to ESY this summer so I called my DS's case manager who spoke with the teachers and said he'd benefit this summer again with ESY.
I know it's my choice and there are pros and cons to each. The biggest is DS repeating a lot of the stuff he learned in K, getting ready for 1st grade and it doesn't cost me anything. I just was excited for him to be in camp, be very active, learn to swim, etc. Was going to send him with his younger brother.
THoughts? Advise?

Message edited 2/4/2015 11:36:34 AM.

Re: Camp or ESY

If your DS is on grade level in the classroom, then I would skip ESY and go with camp. I truly believe that camp us so beneficial for their socialization and confidence. And I also believe that summer is for having fun. That's not to say you can't reinforce learning at home, but I think kids work so hard during the year, they deserve some down time.