Once a camp is selected, it's time to decide what to bring

With nearly 10,000 camps in the United States (about 60 percent are sleep-away camps), if a child can imagine it, there is a camp for it.

From art camps and acting camps to sports camps and space camps, camps are a great way to encourage children's natural talents or to help them explore new ones.

Camp can also be a great tool to help foster a child's independence and social skills.

Once a decision has been made to send a child to camp (more than 6 million children attend camp each summer), it's important to find the right program for his or her needs.

Children under age 7 may not adjust easily to being away from home. Consider the day camp experience to prepare them for future overnight camp.

If a child has never spent time away from home, even an older child, one-day camps or minicamps may be the best option for exposure to new situations.

It can be beneficial to share some aspects of the camp selection process with the child, such as what kind of camp, how long to stay, whether to go with a friend or not. Be sure to select a camp that provides a good mix of athletic, artistic and intellectual pursuits.

Here are some tips for a failsafe packing list. Clothing is an important part of the packing process, with families needing to assemble everything from Tshirts and underwear to rainwear and hiking boots.

There are some things to pack based on a child's personal needs:

•Favorite outfits, as well as comfortable clothes, to help first-timers feel more at ease.

•Prescription medication for any chronic condition (be sure to inform counselors), as well as allergy medicine if a child tends to have strong reactions.

•A security item, such as a family photograph, to give kids a piece of home. However, an irreplaceable item, such as a teddy bear, is not recommended, as it could get lost or stolen.

This story is provided by North American Precis Syndicate Inc.