Before you know it, it’ll be time to pack the sunscreen, swimsuits and bug spray for summer camp. Last summer, an estimated 10 million U.S. kids went to summer camp, according to the American Camp Association (ACA). But how do you pick the right camp for your child? What about accreditation and safety issues? With so many camps to choose from, where do you start? Our experts suggest that you ask the following questions:
1. What activities does my child enjoy?
Summer camp is a great opportunity to focus on what your child likes and to strengthen his or her skills in those areas. Soccer, art, the outdoors, dance, computers, etc., there’s a camp for just about every interest, says Matt Clapp, the founder and director of Rockin’ C Ranch (www.rockincranch.org), a summer camp on a working ranch in Lindale, Texas. But also take the opportunity to broaden your child’s horizons and to help her develop a more well-rounded life, he adds. “Maybe this is the year your city-bred kid could benefit from some time on a ranch. Or maybe your small-town child would love to attend a camp for the arts in a larger city.”
2. What are my — and my child’s — expectations?
Decide what’s important to you before searching for a camp, suggests Michael Knauf, head of the visual arts department at French Woods (www.frenchwoods.com), a performing-arts camp in upstate New York. What’s your budget? How far away are you willing to send your child? What environment do you prefer (traditional vs. specialty programs, rustic vs. luxury, large vs. small, religious affiliation, age focus, etc.) “Decide these things up front and you can greatly reduce the number of camps to look at,” he says.
3. What summer-camp environment is right for my child with special needs?
Up to 15 percent of summer camps in United States are now dedicated to meeting the special needs of campers with physical, emotional or mental challenges, according to the ACA. Contact the ACA at 765-342-8456 to learn more and for list of camps.
4. Is the camp accredited by the American Camp Association?
The ACA has accredited more than 2,400 camps across the country. This is an independent organization and not a referral service. These camps must meet up to 300 standards for health, safety and program quality. To find an ACA-accredited camp, visit www.acacamps.org.
5. Is the camp licensed by your state?
“Camp programs working with school-age children are often required to be licensed by the state in which they operate,” says Betsy Strohmaier, the director of Mountain Day Camp (www.mountaindaycamp.com) in Boulder, Colo. “Child-care licensing mandates that a camp meets specific health and safety standards and works to keep parents well informed,” she adds. If a camp is not licensed by your state, ask why not. And ask how the camp upholds state health and safety standards.
6. Does the camp communicate well with parents?
Pay attention to pre-camp contacts, suggests Silvana Clark, a former camp director and a professional speaker on parenting topics. “The brochures may look great, but what kind of service do you get when contacting the camp? If no one returns your calls or e-mails, or if the camp staff keeps saying ‘I don’t know about that,’ find another camp.”
7. What are the staffing ratios?
The ratio of staff to campers can tell you how much individual attention your child will receive at camp. “Ask the camp director if their ratios include just counseling staff or if they also include support staff who don’t work directly with campers during the day,” Strohmaier says. Ask what the normal group size is and how many staff members supervise that group. Finally, find out if these ratios improve during activities such as horseback riding, rock climbing, biking, etc.
8. What about safety and security issues?
“Make sure the camp you’re considering does background checks on all staff members,” says Emily Hadfield, the camp-programs coordinator for Westminster College’s summer-camp program in Salt Lake City. “And don’t be afraid to ask questions about safety, security or health care.” For camps that offer activities such as swimming, boating or diving, make sure all instructors are CPR-certified and that a life guard is on duty at all times, says Britt Michaelian, the author of “Secrets of the Safety Goddess: A Modern Safety Guide for Busy Parents.”
9. How are camp counselors trained?
Most high-quality camps have a three- to five-day training program to give staff the skills they will need to help create a successful experience for your child, says Strohmaier. Staff members should be trained in more than the technical skills of running a program, she adds. They should learn the camp’s philosophy and practice listening to children and managing a group appropriately. Specialized adventure counselors should take the lead in supervising safety, equipment and instruction for the more technical activities. It’s important that the staff have advanced training in their specialty.
10. How can my child participate in selecting a camp?
Engage your child in the search, suggests Michaelian. “Gather multiple brochures for different types of camps and read through them with your child, writing down the pros and cons of each camp, so you can make an educated choice together.”
Kathy Sena is a freelance journalist who frequently covers parenting topics.
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