Parents have a lot of decisions to make when choosing a summer camp for their child. There is the cost, the location, and the desired outcomes whether it is an educational experience or purely recreational camp. It’s easy for parents to take safety for granted, but instead, a parent’s first priority should be to pick their child up safe and sound at the end of the camping experience. Visit us at child safety for some parenting tips and what parents should consider when choosing a summer camp for their child.

Accreditation: Is the Camp accredited by the American Camp Association, the National Camp Association, Boy or Girl Scouts of America, or affiliated with an organization you trust like the YMCA or church group? The ACA standards include important safety criteria that might not be standard at other camps. The ACA criteria includes lengthy and specific standards for safety. For example: emergency exits, smoke alarms, water testing, fire equipment, carbon monoxide detectors, food handling standards, seat belts are required when busing children, driver training criterea, medication management, fire arms must be locked, staff screening requires criminal background check and staff skills confirmation and many more. They also require activity safety standards. For example if your child skateboards, he or she must wear a helmet. Review the accreditation standards for camps you are considering and get more info at kids

Medical Care: Is there a medical employees on duty? Who dispenses medications? How far is the nearest emergency facility or hospital? In an emergency seconds count!

Leadership: Who runs the camp and what is their experience with children, their background and philosophy? If they have a camp director find out how long he/she has had the position. The composition of the staff is, for most parents, the most important consideration in choosing a great camp. How long has the director been in charge and what are their priorities when selecting staff. Do they conduct criminal background checks? What percentage of the staff is foreign? What is the staff-to-camper ratio? What training do they receive? What is the age and experience of the staff? 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. There is no “right” answer to these questions, but the answers you receive might spark a deeper conversation about a camp’s staffing philosophy and how that might affect your child’s experience.

Management: How is discipline or conflicts handled among campers? How is conflict among staff handled?

Agenda: Review the list of activities for your child. You don’t want to be surprised after the fact that your child was allowed to drive an ATV, go rock climbing or some other similarly potentially dangerous activity.

Accommodations: Where will your child sleep? Will a counselor be nearby while your child is sleeping? What types of menus are set for the campers? What are the policies regarding mingling with the opposite sex? Don’t take anything for granted.

Due Diligence: Check references that can report on the staff specifically that will be in charge of your child. Great references from last year’s camper’s parents mean nothing if there is a new director and new team of camp counselors.

When choosing a summer camp for your child of course you should start with what you want your child to get out of the camp experience. If your child has a special interest, such as music, dance, horseback riding, or arts and crafts, a camping experience can be wonderful! But, before making a final decision, make sure you are comfortable that your child will be safe and secure while away from home.

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