How to Pick a Camp
So you are thinking about a Summer Camp for your child. First decide if your going to a http://www.swiftnaturecamp.com Boys Camps or a http://www.swiftnaturecamp.com Girls Camps. Each have their own benefit. Maybe a Coed Camp is best for your child. Next, work with you child to find a camp that will increase their interests or expose them to new activities. After all that, here are the top 10 questions to ask a summer camp director. This list was compiled by the American Camp Association.
What's the camp's philosophy? Is it one you're comfortable with? Is it a good match for your child? Is competition or cooperation emphasized? If it's a camp run by a religious organization, what religious observances or practices are part of the program? If you're looking at a sports camp that touts an affiliation with a celebrity athlete, how much time--if any--will the sports star actually spend there?
How does the camp recruit, screen and train its staff? Do counselors have criminal background checks? First aid training? Drug Testing?
What about return rates? How many counselors are returning this year? The ACA says at most camps, 50 percent of the staff returns. If the number you're given is lower, ask why. How many campers return? Fifty percent is good, and more is better.
What's the ratio of counselors to campers? ACA guidelines for overnight camps call for a 1:6 ratio for ages 7 and 8, 1:8 for ages 9-14; and 1:10 for ages 15-18. Day camp guidelines call for 1:8 for children ages 6-8; 1:10 for children ages 9-14; and 1:12 for ages 15-18.
How old are the counselors? The ACA recommends that 80 percent of the staff be 18 or older and that all staffers be at least 16 and a minimum of two years older than the campers they supervise.
What medical staff work at the camp and what backup facilities are nearby? The ACA recommends that an overnight camp have a licensed physician or registered nurse on the site every day, and that day camps should have direct phone access. If your child takes medication, has food allergies or a chronic medical condition, be sure you are comfortable that the camp will be able to handle your child's needs.
How does the camp handle conflicts and Discipline? Find out what the camp's rules are and what breaches would result in a camper being sent home. You should be comfortable that the camp's practices are in line with your parenting practices.
What does a typical daily schedule look like? This will help you decide if your child will be happy with the level of physical activity or the amount of time devoted to arts and crafts. Ask how much freedom a child has to choose activities.
Will the camp be transporting the children? What vehicles are used and how often are they inspected? Who drives them and what training do drivers have?
Ask for references. Finally and most important, get the names of parents with children the same age who have attended the camp.
Still looking for ideas to help you make an informed decision? Check out Summer Camp Advice A http://www.summercampadvice.com Summer Camp Directory - 2368
What's the camp's philosophy? Is it one you're comfortable with? Is it a good match for your child? Is competition or cooperation emphasized? If it's a camp run by a religious organization, what religious observances or practices are part of the program? If you're looking at a sports camp that touts an affiliation with a celebrity athlete, how much time--if any--will the sports star actually spend there?
How does the camp recruit, screen and train its staff? Do counselors have criminal background checks? First aid training? Drug Testing?
What about return rates? How many counselors are returning this year? The ACA says at most camps, 50 percent of the staff returns. If the number you're given is lower, ask why. How many campers return? Fifty percent is good, and more is better.
What's the ratio of counselors to campers? ACA guidelines for overnight camps call for a 1:6 ratio for ages 7 and 8, 1:8 for ages 9-14; and 1:10 for ages 15-18. Day camp guidelines call for 1:8 for children ages 6-8; 1:10 for children ages 9-14; and 1:12 for ages 15-18.
How old are the counselors? The ACA recommends that 80 percent of the staff be 18 or older and that all staffers be at least 16 and a minimum of two years older than the campers they supervise.
What medical staff work at the camp and what backup facilities are nearby? The ACA recommends that an overnight camp have a licensed physician or registered nurse on the site every day, and that day camps should have direct phone access. If your child takes medication, has food allergies or a chronic medical condition, be sure you are comfortable that the camp will be able to handle your child's needs.
How does the camp handle conflicts and Discipline? Find out what the camp's rules are and what breaches would result in a camper being sent home. You should be comfortable that the camp's practices are in line with your parenting practices.
What does a typical daily schedule look like? This will help you decide if your child will be happy with the level of physical activity or the amount of time devoted to arts and crafts. Ask how much freedom a child has to choose activities.
Will the camp be transporting the children? What vehicles are used and how often are they inspected? Who drives them and what training do drivers have?
Ask for references. Finally and most important, get the names of parents with children the same age who have attended the camp.
Still looking for ideas to help you make an informed decision? Check out Summer Camp Advice A http://www.summercampadvice.com Summer Camp Directory - 2368
About the Author:
About the authors: Jeff and Lonnie Lorenz are the Directors of Swift Nature Camp, a non-competitive, traditional coed overnight summer camp near Minong, Wisconsin. Boys and Girls ages 6-15 enjoy playing in nature, caring for animals, and learning science. Learn more at Childrens Summer Camp. Click here to submit article.
posted by Frank Potter at 1:32 AM
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