having a tough time deciding - would love your thoughts. (camp related)

I have three options for my DD for camp this summer - all have pros and cons so I can't decide where to send her. I thought if maybe I wrote it out and heard some opinions it would help me out.

Camp #1:
Very close to my house
less expensive
but the kids have to walk across a semi busy road to get to the pool...the good thing is that the counselors are ALWAYS in the pool with the kids
The building and toys are older - and I felt my dd might be a little bored by the preschool activities offered.

Camp#2:
This is where she went last year. Less expensive - and clean updated environment. (compared to camp #1)
No pool - which was good for last year because she was so young but I think now she would love to swim every day. This camp is a schlep for me though.

Camp #3:
Not as close to my house and more expensive but this one is the most camp like environment. They have three pools/instructional swim. Their rooms/toys are updated - they learn things like computers and dance/music, etc... Plus they have a lot of outdoor activities like tennis and kickball. The downside is that there is major construction going on there that the kids have to walk passed every time they go outside. It freaks me out a little to have strangers on campus while the kids are there. Also - even though they have 20 lifeguards for the 3 pools the counselors dont have to be in the water with the kids which annoys me a little.

If you read this far, thank you!!! Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Re: having a tough time deciding - would love your thoughts. (camp related)

I would prob do camp 2 again... maybe camp 3...

I dont think I would be ok with camp 1 and the children crossing a busy street.

Re: having a tough time deciding - would love your thoughts. (camp related)

to me - right off the bad - camp #1 is out. I would not want my child crossing a semi busy street every day without me - too dangerous.

I am a toss up between camp # 2 and 3 - but I am leaning towards 3 - it sounds like there is a lot for her to do there. The construction part really doesn't bother me.

Re: having a tough time deciding - would love your thoughts. (camp related)

I would go with #1. Save money now when she is younger because as she gets older camp gets more expensive and she will know the difference. The busy road part would bother me but I am sure the counselors are super cautious about it and the camp has to be to allow it to happen.
ETA: I like the idea of swimming daily.

Message edited 2/12/2009 8:09:42 AM.

Re: having a tough time deciding - would love your thoughts. (camp related)

I don't know- just thinking about 3 and no counselors in the pool, that would freak me out a little at this age.

Re: having a tough time deciding - would love your thoughts. (camp related)

Re: having a tough time deciding - would love your thoughts. (camp related)

how deep/shallow is the pool that the counselors dont have to be in with them?

that one concerned me. that's a def NO in my opinion.

and crossing the street concerns me.

Re: having a tough time deciding - would love your thoughts. (camp related)

I have been involved in the camping industry for years, and I have a few questions.
So when you say camp #1 has a busy road, I am wondering if it is on a campus of their own, or if they are in a park or something of that nature.
Camp #2, do they do any water activities? Do they have sprinkler time or anything so that on really hot days they can cool off?
Camp #3, although counselors do not have to go into the pool, do they? If it their choice there is the possibility that they will be in the pool with the kids. Also does someone teach the children how to swim? Is it a kiddie pool?

Re: having a tough time deciding - would love your thoughts. (camp related)

Re: having a tough time deciding - would love your thoughts. (camp related)

2. next year go for #3 when she has another year under her belt.