Considerations when choosing a summer camp for your child

Photo credit: Pixabay

When you imagine summer camp for your child, you probably think of them staying in a cabin with seven other children, waking up every day to a list of outdoor activities that include kayaking, hiking, and swimming. They’ll probably wind down the day around a campfire. This traditional idea of camp is one option, but a wide variety of other camps exist. Choosing a camp that plays to your child’s interest can help ensure they have an enjoyable camp experience. You should also carefully choose a camp that you know is safe for your child.

Location, time, and size

The first step is to consider how long the camp will last. Some kids don’t want to spend more than a day at camp, while others would spend the entire summer at camp. Day camps are good for first time campers, or if your family is on a budget and is concerned about the costs of camp.

You should also consider how far away the camp should be. Is your child comfortable with traveling across the country, or would he or she rather stay closer to home? The size of the camp should be deliberated. Some kids will thrive at a large camp with hundreds of other children, while others would prefer a more close-knit camp with a few dozen campers.

 Camps can be coed or limited to only girls or only boys. Some camps provide a lot of structure with entire days scheduled with activities, while others allow campers more freedom. Campers can stay in a tent or in a rustic cabin with few luxuries. Some camps are more modern with cell-phone privileges and internet access.

Types of camps

While traditional camps may be exactly what your child is looking for, they don’t all offer the same activities. If your child is dead set on spending the summer canoeing, swimming, and fishing, then look for a camp near a lake. If crafts are more up your child’s alley, search for a camp that includes a variety of crafting activities.

Sending your child to a specialty camp is another option. If your child wants to accomplish one goal over the summer – such as losing weight, performing in a musical, or training in a sport – then find a weight loss, arts, or sports camp. Other specialty camps include educational, troubled teens, religious, autism and other disabilities, and chronic diseases or illnesses.

If your child doesn’t like the idea of staying overnight, there are several day camps for you to choose from that provide the same opportunities for activities and friendships. Of course, since your child might end up coming home from camp while you’re still at work, you may need to bring in a babysitter to fill in that gap. Fortunately, you can go online to find reputable sitters just as easily as you can find a summer camp that fits your child’s needs.

Staying safe

While you may think all summer camps are safe, no federal regulations exist for camps. Six states don’t require camps to have a license, and 28 states don’t require camps to run criminal background checks on employees. Only 25 percent of camps in the United States are accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA), which requires camps to meet the 300 health and safety standards.

The first question to ask is if the camp is accredited, and if they’re not, find out why. Also, ask what kind of medical staff is available, what training they have, how long it would take for an ambulance to arrive, and where the nearest hospital is located. Find out how the camp recruits, hires, and screens employees.

Camp counselors should be 18 or older and should have proper training and certifications, such as child CPR training. If someone will be driving children during camp, find out their training. Determine the ratio of counselors to campers. The ACA requires certain ratios for overnight camps, which vary depending on the age of the campers. 

As a parent

Obtain names and phone numbers of credible references, such as parents of children who attended camp in the past. Ask the camp how they handle discipline and what types of behavior would get a child sent home. You should also speak with your child, especially teens, about the dangers of drugs, alcohol, addiction, and the hazards of experimentation.

 While that traditional idea of camp is a tried and true summer camp option, your child may enjoy one of the other camp options. When making your selection, be sure to check the safety of the camp. A camp that interests your child and is safe helps encourage him or her to be excited about camp and ensures an enjoyable camp experience.

Alex Robbins is a member of Safety Today, a community of parents and professionals that have come together to help promote safety in the home and in the community.