How to Choose a Summer Camp for Your Child

I have run summer camps for over 10 years and would like to share some tips about choosing one for your child. Here are some factors to consider before selecting a camp.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Ask about a typical daily schedule. Camps are like teachers; you can't necessarily say that one is better than the other, but there are good matches and bad matches. Some children thrive in a structured atmosphere and some don't. Some camps are more stringent than others concerning the children's activities during the day. Some camps ask that the kids participate in all the activities, while others will allow a child to dig a hole for 5 hours if that is what they want to do. This can help you decide if your child will be happy and how much freedom a child has to choose activities.
2. Don't assume that just because a camp is named after someone they will actually be there. I have worked at several camps that included a person's name in the title and they would not show up for more than an hour a week.
3. Ask about the employees' qualifications. It is not out of line to ask if the counselors have criminal background checks or first aid training. I always hire fellow school employees so that I know that they have passed stringent background checks.
4. Check the ratio of counselors to campers. Overnight camps call for a 1:6 ratio for ages 7 and 8; 1:8 for ages 9 to 14 and 1:10 for ages 15 to 18. Day camp guidelines call for 1:8 for children ages 6 to 8; 1:10 for children ages 9 to 14 and 1:12 for ages 15 to 18. Any camp where there is swimming or other dangerous activities (horseback riding, go carting) should have a lower ratio. Also check the age of the counselors. Make sure that counselors who are under 18 years of age are not counted as adults.
5. Don't be afraid to inquire about scholarships if you need one. Most camps have a scholarship budget, but may not advertise it.
6. Ask about the transportation. If the camp will be transporting the children, feel free to ask how the vehicles are used and how often are they inspected. Who drives them and what training do drivers have?
7. Ask what the camp's policy is regarding discipline. Find out what the camp's rules are and what it takes for a camper to be sent home or disciplined.