Choosing the Right Camp For Your Kid
Camps have long been a rite of passage for children. It's never
too early to research productive and fun activities for our
kids. These explorations help develop confidence in our children.
Here is a Top 10 checklist to get started. Find answers to these
questions by writing, calling, visiting the camps, seeking
referrals, or surfing the camp's website.
1. Director: Does the director seem to care about and understand
kids? What are his or her qualifications and experience?
2. Staff: Does the camp have enough staff members to back up the
counselors? What are the staff and instructors' qualifications?
Do they support the objectives of the camp? Can the teachers
relate to the students? What training occurs for staff and
counselors before the camp opens? How long is the training
period? Are there pre-camp training opportunities for staff and
counselors during the year?
3. Counselors: What is the camper to counselor ratio? How old
are the counselors? Are there any special qualifications
required to work at the camp? Does the camp have a junior
counselor or counselor-in-training program?
4. Objectives: What are the objectives of the camp? Are the
objectives carried out in the activities of the camp?
5. Flexibility: Are the camp's programs flexible? If your child
has already had a particular course or activity, is it possible
for him or her to attend an alternate activity?
6. Balance: Does the camp allow for a balance between learning
and fun? How is the camp structured for the hours after classes
or activities?
7. References: Do campers who have been there before recommend
the camp? How about parents of campers who have been there? What
do they say?
8. Resources: Does the camp have a nurse, EMT, or doctor on-
call? Are emergency procedures taught to counselors and staff?
9. Orientation; Do the campers get a chance to know each other
and their counselors a little before the camp moves into full
swing?
10. Accreditation: Is the camp accredited by the American
Camping Association or another camping association?