It's hard to imagine summer, while still under a blanket of snow, but it's coming, I promise. In just a few short months the summer breezes will blow and with it the anticipation of summer break. Unfortunately after a few weeks in the heat, ennui sets in and the kids become a handful.

It is not often when parents have the opportunity to spend the summer with their kids and sometimes even finding a break to vacation is improbable. Fortunately we have daycare, family, babysitters and day programs - All wonderful and enriching experiences for the kids, but there is more. Camp is something that will stay in the memories and hearts of most adult children as the best part of their summers.

To ensure the best camp experience one has to find the right fit. It is a good idea to sit together and find out what everyone wants. While camps still are swimming, campfires and crafts they have also grown beyond that. Camps can be found in all formats from sport, band, art, dance, fitness and special needs. Clearly there is something for everyone. So where to start? Talk to everyone you know and find out where they send their kids and what their opinions are. Word of mouth is a quick way to find reputable camps. Of course your quest doesn't end there. You then have to find the right one for both you and your child. Here is a small list of things to ask yourself when considering camps:

• What kind of activities and programs does the camp offer and do they interest your child
• What is the camper to counselors ratio and what are the counselors qualifications
• What kind of onsite medical facilities are there and what happens in case of emergency
• Are there field trips off the camp property
• Is the staff available to talk to
• How long should I send my child to camp?
• How far should I send my child for camp?

Keep in mind that this is the time of year to register and ensure you get the camp placement and program you want. Once you're registered and have come to terms that you will be sending your children away by themselves, the supply list must be filled.

Most camps require this basic list of supplies for your child to attend camp; sleeping bag, pillow, enough clothing for the duration of his or her stay, warm sweater and pants, rain gear, rain boots, bathing suit, sandals, sneakers, towels (Cambridge makes an oversized bath towel under their Contessa line), toiletries, sunscreen, bug spray (try Bug Joose! by All Things Jill) and a hat. It is not often recommended for your kids to bring their favorite gadgets and possessions as the cabins are usually left unlocked and unguarded leaving opportunity for things to go missing. Check with your camp if your child is allowed to bring food care packages and other goodies, sometimes these are not allowed due to location and the threat of insects or other wild creatures.

I asked my son what he thought of camp he replied, "It was fun!" He'll remember camp fondly and if he didn't land himself a sweet summer job, he would have gone back again this year. Camp is something special and certainly a summer gift to your kids.

 Image source: Flickr Creative Commons Rick Harris, Sugar Pond, Cambridge