Get ready for summer camp with AI

Choosing a summer camp

Whether your child is an experienced summer camper or will be attending for the first time, choosing a camp can be time consuming. There are so many factors to consider and so much potential research to do. Getting an early start and using search and generative AI to assist with decision-making and information gathering is a great way to save yourself a headache.

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Price and location

If this is your first time sending a child to summer camp, some of the first questions you ask yourself might be, “How much is this going to cost?” and “Where are these camps, anyway?” You might turn to generative AI to find a summer camp that fits your budget and is within a reasonable distance (or not) from where you live. Ask AI to make you a list that gives you the information you’re looking for with prompts like these:

• Make a list of children’s summer camps within 200 miles from [location]. Include tuition, distance from [location], and session dates.
• I’m looking for a summer camp for preteens in the Cape Cod area. Provide a list of camps, their websites, tuition rates, and any available payment plans.

Camp focus

Some camps are one-size-fits-all in terms of available activities, while others are more specialized. If your child wants to do traditional activities like canoeing and archery, you’ll be looking for one type of camp. But if your teen would rather build and program robots instead of play capture the flag, you may be looking for a camp with an entirely different focus. Ask AI to provide a list of camps that focus on the activities your child prefers.

Length of stay

Younger kids might only go to camp during the day and go home each night, while pre-teens might spend a month living in a dorm or cabin at the camp. Specify the length of stay you’re looking for when you’re asking AI to provide recommendations.

Registration

If your child has their heart set on space camp, you’d better get them registered in a timely fashion! During your research and information gathering, ask AI to tell you any pertinent registration dates to be sure you don’t miss a deadline. Some camps even offer discounts for early registration.

Create a summer camp packing list

Whether your family is full of experienced campers or the idea of packing gives you anxiety, a packing list is always a good idea. The camp you choose may have a sample packing list to work off, but it’s good to take personal preferences into account, too. Use AI to pack for camp with your specific needs in mind. It analyzes your destination, local weather, and potential activities to customize a list of everything you’ll need. Try prompts like these to create a perfect summer camp packing:

• I’m going to camp in northern New Mexico for the months of June and July. Analyze the weather of that region and tell me what I’ll need to pack for a two-month trip that is almost entirely outdoors.
• What do I need to bring for two weeks in Chicago in August?
• How many pairs of socks and underwear should I bring for a week of scuba diving camp in Florida?

Once summer camp is squared away, you might use AI for other summer activities. But if staying on top of a to-do list is a priority, explore organizational tips to help you and your family do everything from setting up a yard sale to creating a chore chart.