How to Find a Great Summer Camp

Is your child's desire to go to summer camp making her or him itch worse than a bad case of poison ivy? Picking the right camp can take more legwork than a three-legged race.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Informational packets

1. Begin looking in late winter or early spring. Attend camp fairs, get recommendations from other parents, ask at the library, and check sites such as KidsCamps.com.

2. Involve your child in the search. Ask if he or she would like to go to day camp or sleep away. Where are his or her friends going? Consider program length, coed versus single-sex camps, and specific-focus camps such as sports, music or the arts.

3. Verify a camp's accreditation with an organization such as the American Camping Association (acacamps.org).

4. Call the director and ask lots of questions: What is the background and experience of the camp director? How old are the counselors and how many are returning? What training do they go through? How are behavioral issues handled? What about medical emergencies?

5. Find out exactly what the camp tuition includes. If the cost is too steep, inquire about scholarships or financial aid.

6. Arrange a visit with your child. Inspect housing and activity facilities closely. Does the camp look safe and well maintained?

Tips & Warnings

• The American Camping Association recommends a staff-to-camper ratio of one counselor for every seven or eight campers, depending on age and abilities.
• Ask the camp to provide phone numbers of other parents whose children have attended the camp. Contact them and ask about their experiences with the camp.

[peterross11]

on 2/18/2009 I'd also recommend the following article which details how choose the best overnight summer camp. Its entitled "Choosing the Right Camp" and is a good read for a parent looking for the right camp.http://www.choicecamps.com/knowledge-center/article103I'd also suggest using http://www.choicecamps.com/. The website has over 350 summer programs and is a great way to browse and compare summer camps. Choice Camps also offers free expert camp advice for parents looking for the perfect camp for their child.Peter RossChoice CampsFree Camp Advisory ServicePhone: 617.264.0939Website: http://www.ChoiceCamps.com

[jull14]

on 1/28/2009 Thanks so much for this article, I am looking for a summer camp for my son and I was able to find it,thanks to you.