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?