Choosing a summer camp comes with plenty of decisions, and one of the questions we hear from families at Camp Shalom is, “Should I sign my child up for Traditional Camp or Sports Camp?”
Both programs are part of the Camp Shalom experience (offered at both Boynton Beach and Palm Beach Gardens campuses), but the days can look pretty different. After years of watching campers find their place at camp, we have learned that the best way to make this decision is to think about what your child actually enjoys doing.
When a parent asks us which program to choose, we usually start by asking about their child's interests and activity level. What gets them excited? Do they love spending hours playing sports, or would they rather do something different every period?
Traditional Camp: A Little Bit of Everything
One of the things we love most about Traditional Camp is just how much campers get to experience in a single day.
Your child might start the morning working on an art project, head outside for a game with friends, try something new in science, and end up in the kitchen making a snack. Tomorrow's schedule could bring a completely different set of activities!
Depending on their age group, Traditional campers enjoy activities like art, dance, cooking, science, pottery, music, sports, and plenty of other camp favorites.
There's plenty of time to run around, too! Sports and games are part of the regular schedule, but the focus is more recreational. Think of group games, fun challenges, and opportunities to run around the playground with friends rather than spending an entire period working on soccer skills.
Traditional Camp is a great choice for children who:
- Love having a little bit of everything in their day
- Enjoy creative activities like art, cooking, dance, or science
- Like sports and games but don't necessarily want to play them all day
- Get excited about trying different activities
We often tell parents that if their child loves basketball but is equally excited about the bounce house, cooking, and music, Traditional Camp is probably where they'll be happiest.
Sports Camp: More Sports, More Action!
There are some kids who could play basketball for hours, take a quick swim break, and come right back asking what's happening next in the gym. If that sounds familiar, you may have a Sports camper on your hands!
Sports Camp is built around movement, games, and learning different sports. A typical day might include basketball, soccer, tennis, dodgeball, kickball, or pickleball, along with daily swimming and other camp activities sprinkled into the schedule.
Each week features a Sport of the Week, giving campers an opportunity to spend more time learning and practicing a particular sport. Throughout the week, our sports staff lead clinics, drills, and games that help campers build their skills. Then comes the Big Game, when campers get to put some of that practice to use!
That doesn't mean they are playing the same sport all day. Even when baseball is the Sport of the Week, campers still rotate through other sports and activities. Variety is important in Sports Camp, too.
There is naturally some competition when you are playing sports, but our staff focus on teaching skills, encouraging teamwork, practicing good sportsmanship, and making sure campers enjoy themselves. We want children to improve, but we also want them laughing with their teammates and looking forward to the next game.
Sports Camp is a great choice for children who:
- Love playing sports and staying active
- Enjoy being part of a team
- Like a little friendly competition
- Would happily spend most of their day playing games in the gym or outside
Your child doesn't have to be the best player on the team. They just need to want to be part of the game.
Some of the Best Parts of Camp Are the Same!
Whichever program your child chooses, there's a lot they will get to experience together.
Both Sports Camp and Traditional Camp include swimming, waterslides, special events, dress-up days, Shabbat celebrations, and age-appropriate trips and shows.
Depending on their age group, campers in both programs may also enjoy activities like boating, woodworking, Israeli Culture, Motor Speedway, Ninja Warrior, and other Camp Shalom favorites.
The programs have their own schedules and personalities, but they're both part of the same camp community. No one is missing out on the big camp traditions by choosing one over the other!
Frequently Asked Questions
What If All Their Friends Are in the Other Program?
We hear this one a lot!
Friends are a huge part of summer camp, and of course, children want to be with the people they know. But we have also seen what happens when a camper chooses a program simply because that is where their friends signed up.
Sometimes it works out perfectly. Other times, we find that a child who joined Sports Camp to be with friends would have been much happier getting to explore all the different activities in Traditional Camp.
Our advice is to start with your child's interests. Think about what they will enjoy doing for most of the day, not just who they will be sitting next to.
And remember, being in different programs doesn't mean they won't see their friends! Campers have opportunities to spend time together during lunch, swimming, special events, trips, shows, and Shabbat.
Some of the best camp friendships start when children find themselves in a group with kids they haven't met before.
Can My Child Try Both Programs?
Yes! Families can register for Traditional Camp one week and Sports Camp another week. However, we do encourage families to find the program that fits their child and stick with it when possible, especially for younger campers.
Part of what makes camp so special is the comfort that comes with knowing your group, your counselors, and your daily routine. Campers settle in, make friends, and begin to feel like camp is their place.
Switching between programs also means switching group rooms, staff, schedules, and the children they'll spend their days with. Some campers handle that easily, but others need a little more consistency.
For that reason, we generally recommend choosing one program for the summer rather than moving back and forth. Campers are not able to switch programs in the middle of a week, so it is important to think through the choice before registering.
Learn More About Our 2027 Summer Camp Programs
The best camp is the one where your child will be excited to spend their day.
We want your child to come home talking about the things they did, the friends they played with, and what they can't wait to do tomorrow.
And whether that's Traditional Camp or Sports Camp, we can't wait to have them back at their summer home away from home.
Still deciding? Reach out to our camp team! Tell us a little about your child, what they love, and what you're hoping they'll get out of their summer. We're always happy to help you figure out where they'll feel most at home.
Learn more about our upcoming summer camp programs for 2027:
Or, if you're ready to register for 2027, you can enroll by signing in or creating a new account in our Camp Shalom portal here.
