Corporate & Continuing Education (CCE) at Raritan Valley Community College

Youth Programs & Sports Camps

Tips for parents of creative kids
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
BY ALLISON FREEMAN, Star-Ledger Staff

Selecting the right summer arts program for your child can be a difficult job for any parent.

Just ask Ralph Dunhamn, the program coordinator for Corporate & Continuing Education at Raritan Valley Community College in Branchburg, which offers a variety of summer arts programs for kids, including a fine and performing arts camp and a film and theater camp.

"First of all, my point is that parents need to find out what the child's interests are," Dunhamn says "Lots of times parents look at the description and what piques their interests. They must take it back to their child and make sure it is something that their child wants to participate in."

Dunhamn provides a list of tips for parents:

Make sure your child is interested in the program and that it is something he would actively participate in.
Make sure it has all of the variables you are looking for: location, dates and times, affordability.
Make sure the program fits your child. If your child is only interested in technical theater, don't enroll her in a program where she would be performing in a show.
Do your homework. If you can, visit the facility where the camp is held. Make sure it is the right environment for your child and that it meets all of your safety concerns.
Talk to the program director about the program or the instructor, if possible, to make sure it's the proper fit for your child.
Take the child to visit the program or to an open house, if there is one. Make sure your child feels comfortable.
Get recommendations from friends and family. Talk to other parents who send their kids there and find out what they like/dislike about it.
Get a feel for the program. Make sure it is structured appropriately for your child.

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For more information call (908) 526-1200 x8404 or email cce@raritanval.edu

updated 5.7.07 by AKA