Need assistance identifying and evaluating the right summer camp for your child? United Way 2-1-1 can help! Each year, United Way 2-1-1 provides valuable information to thousands of Connecticut families who are looking for summer camps. 2-1-1 Child Care, a specialized service of United Way 2-1-1, maintains a comprehensive database of summer camps that can help families find the right program. Last year, 2-1-1 provided nearly 2,000 referrals for summer youth programs statewide.

Selecting a summer camp can be a challenge since there are a wide variety of programs to choose from and many options to consider. United Way 2-1-1 is the best source for up-to-date information on program description and openings.

When dialing 2-1-1, families are asked by a Child Care Referral Specialist to take into consideration the following:

• The child's interests and personality;
• The child's needs or limitations;
• The experiences your child wishes to have;
• The amount of structure suitable for your child;
• Whether your child is a first time or veteran camper;
• Preference of a co-ed, all girls or all boys camp;
• Camp size, location and schedule; and
• Your budget.

After you decide, the 2-1-1 Child Care Referral Specialist will provide you with customized summer camp options available. They can also provide consumer information for consideration such as the staff to camper ratio, training of camp staff, daily activities, tuition, percentage of returning campers and counselors, and camp policies.

Simply dial 2-1-1 for more information on Summer Youth Programs. You can also search a comprehensive Connecticut summer camp database online at http://search.211childcare.org.