10 Questions to Ask the Camp Director

Whether you are looking for a day or sleepaway camp for your child, there are certain pieces of information you should find out in order to make an informed decision. The American Camp Association, New York and New Jersey recommends asking the camp director at least these ten questions to help you better understand what a particular summer camp is about. 

1. What is your camp’s mission and philosophy? – Can the director easily explain the camp’s mission statement and philosophy?  Each camp is unique, and provides unique programming and approaches.  Consider whether the camp’s philosophy matches your own.  Also, ask the camp director about the type of child that is a successful participant in their program. 

1. What is your camp’s program? –Are you looking for a traditional well-rounded experience or a specialty program? Think about what activities are must have’s for your child.  How long is each activity?  How many electives do the children get and what kind of help do they receive in choosing them?  Inquire about how long each activity is.                          

3. What type of training and education does the director have? - The American Camp Association recommends directors possess a bachelor's degree, have completed in-service training within the past three years, and have at least sixteen weeks of camp administrative experience before assuming the responsibilities of director. 

4. What are the enrollment options- What is the length of the program offered? Is there flexibility?  What is the length of the day?  Is transportation available?

5. What is the staff composition? –Ask who is caring for your child?  Ask about the age of the staff, their experience, pre-season and on-going staff trainings, background checks, the interview process, camper to staff ratios and supervision in cabins and for various activities.

5. What percentage of the campers return each year? While every camp is clearly not right for every child, a large number of returning campers usually indicates a high level of satisfaction with the camp’s programming and operation.

7. What are the safety procedures? - Ask about the safety measures that are in place.  These can include inquiring about medical personnel on property, emergency plans, staff screening procedures, and instructor qualifications.

8. Is your camp accredited?-Find out if the program follows a nationally known accreditation process and if the camp is inspected each summer by the Department of Health. The ACA is the only national organization which establishes uniform standards for reviewing camps. Ask if the program has chosen to participate.

9. Sensitivity to Camper Needs – If your child has special requirements, such as food allergies, religious obligations, ADD, etc, ask how the camp handles special considerations.  Parents should be honest and upfront about their child’s special needs and they want to be certain that the camp is able to accommodate them.

10. Ask for references from the camp - Parents shouldn’t be afraid to ask for references. This is generally one of the best ways to check a camp's reputation and service record.  Ask other parents about the experiences of their children at the camp and whether their child is returning to camp.

10 Camp Things to Look Forward To

While it’s cold and dreary outside, here are 10 things you can look forward to when camp begins in less than 156 days…

1. Opening Day – That feeling you get the moment you step off the bus and onto camp.
2. Camp friends – You love your friends from home, but you know there is no one like your camp friends!
3. The lake – Taking a boat out or going for a swim in the lake is the best. 
4. No cell phones – Admit it.  It will be nice to give up texting for a few weeks.  
5.  Singing – It’s so much more fun singing songs at camp than in your room at home!
6. Camp fire – It’s just so nice sitting around the camp fire with your best friends.
7. Favorite activities– Jewelry making, archery, swimming & the ropes course—you just can’t wait to get back to your favorite camp activity!
8. All camp competitions – Whether it’s color war or the Olympics, all camp events are amazing highlights to the summer.
9. Special events –  Carnival, concerts, Halloween in July -camp special events are always fun days.
10. The staff – Seeing your favorite camp staff again!

What are you looking forward to the most?  

Should Your Child Go to Camp With a Friend

Should Your Child Go to Camp with a Friend? 

This is a question that parents often ask Renee Flax, the Camper Placement Specialist for the American Camp Association, NY and NJ.   Here are some of her thoughts on children going to camp with a friend:   

• Camp is a place where children can reinvent themselves.  Your child has gone to school with the same children for years and may be thought of at home as the athletic child or the shy child.  At camp, your child can be whoever they would like to be. It’s harder to do that when your child is at camp with a friend from home.  Your child can have their camp life and home life.

• When you send your child to camp with a friend, your child will feel they have that friend to count on and might not be as outgoing in making new friends. One of the friends may also get closer to another camper and the child he or she came with could feel left out.  You might run the risk of the children not being as close when they return home after the summer.

• If your child won’t go to summer camp without a friend, have a conversation with the camp director and let him or her know that these children are friends from home. Consider putting the friends in separate bunks.   The friends will still see each other every day, but they will have the opportunity to be with new campers and push their comfort zone a little bit. 

• Going to camp is a growth experience for children.  For children who go without a friend, it lets them know that they can meet new friends and be independent and in the end, gain self reliance. 

• Often parents will make a decision about camp based on the camp that their friends’ children attend.  Unless your child is similar to theirs with comparable needs and interests and you both have the same values, you may find that the camp they find ideal for their child, might not be the right fit for yours.  Do your own research and make sure you know and agree with the philosophy of the camp you are considering.

• Worried your child won’t make friends at camp if he or she doesn’t go with a friend? Don’t be!  Camp is a community where children bond quickly by sharing in the activities and traditions of the camp.  Manyy camps host a pre-camp day event for first time campers.  This is a good way for children to meet other children going to the camp for the first time.   If a camp doesn’t offer this type of event, your child will still make friends easily, even starting from the bus ride to camp!