Finding Camps: Once you’ve narrowed down camp style and location, there are a variety of directories to help you find possible summer programs. Visit http://www.campsearch.com to search by day or residential camps, special themes, and other options. You may also want to ask other local parents if they have any recommendations, as they’re a great source of information.

Choosing Best: Now that you have a short list of available camps, check to see whether camp programs are accredited, such as with American Camping Association (http://www.acacamps.org/). Accreditation means camp complies with health and safety standards, program quality requirements, and carefully screens their staff.

Making Final Decision: Request brochures, videos, and other information from camps that have passed above requirements. Factors to consider include length of time camp has been in business, testimonials, and camp pricing. Don’t forget to include travel to and from camp in your cost calculations. Feel free to call camp to ask any specific questions, particularly if you child may need special accommodations. Finally, go over materials with your child, and choose a camp that you and your child will be comfortable with.

SuperCamp is an academic summer camp program based on concepts that make learning fun and easy. Established in 1982, SuperCamp now offers 7 locations nationwide, as well as international camps. SuperCamp has graduated over 32,000 students from all 50 states and 70 countries. More information is available at http://www.supercamp.com.

NAMING A BABY

For a fun baby shower filled with laughter and some very interesting names, create a theme around naming baby. Throughout day or evening, guests will be asked to wear nametags of name for a boy and girl they like best.

In addition, each guest will be given an envelope with anywhere from five to nine letters, chosen at random. Their mission, if they choose to accept it, is to unscramble letters to come up with a baby name. This theme is wonderful and creates a light environment and some very strange names.

If weather is expected to be nice and there is adequate room outdoors, set up a tropical oasis, complete with lights strung up outside, floating candles in pool, Tiki torches, Hawaiian leis, and so on. Have beach music playing in background and for food, serve ham, fresh fruit, barbecue, fruit punch, etc. This provides a relaxing environment for expectant couple as they prepare for big day.

AROUND THE CLOCK

For this baby shower theme, each guest would be assigned a gift that would be used at a specific time of day. For example, 7:00 a.m. could be a baby bottle, 8:00 a.m., burping pads, 9:00 a.m., baby food and spoon, 1:00 p.m. baby blanket for naptime, 5:00 p.m., bib and so on.

LIBRARY TIME

In this case, every guest would be asked to bring a book for baby, ranging from those appropriate for six month to three years of age. Since books are so affordable and variety so great, guests could bring one book, three books, or a book along with another gift.

SAFETY FIRST

With this baby shower theme, each of items brought would be things to support child safety. This might include a non-slip bathtub, warm hooded bath towels to keep little one warm, cabinet and drawer stops, power outlet plugs, soft toys, etc.

SPRINKLE SHOWER

If expectant couple will have more than one shower, this would be an excellent option. For this theme, rather than guests buying large items, they would bring a sprinkling of small items that are used on a daily basis.

As an example, this would include things like shampoo, powder, diapers, baby wipes, lotion, socks, pacifiers, diaper cream, and so on. Mothers are always running out of supplies. With this theme, she would have a nice supply for months while enjoying convenience and cost savings.

As you can see, when it comes to baby shower themes, possibilities are limitless. As mentioned briefly, most important factor to make any baby shower a success is to create a treasured memory. Yes, shower is for baby but it is also for parents to share in their joy and help them celebrate miracle of birth or adoption.

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