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Summer Camp

Summer camp can be an exciting and enriching time for children, and it can give them a chance to relate to people and customs to which they might not normally be exposed. But there are several factors to take into consideration when deciding which summer camp is appropriate for your child:
Does your child want to go? Is your child ready to go?
What is the camp all about?
What is the staff-to-camper ratio?
What are the backgrounds and training levels?
How are disciplinary and special medical situations handled?
Is the camp accredited?
How much does the camp cost?
Take a look for yourself
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Does your child really want to go? Is your child ready to go? Your child should be excited and enthusiastic about going to summer camp, and also have the physical and emotional capability of being away from home for the duration of the camp. Some camps are designed especially for physically disabled children, for younger children, for sick children or for children who are grieving -- and thus are well-prepared to give extra support when necessary.

If you aren't sure whether your child is ready, try a day camp first. If your child is afraid of not being capable, you can take your child hiking and camping first, and teach some of the basics of camp life. If your child enjoys those experiences, you can start considering an overnight camp.

If your child went to the camp last year and is reluctant to go again this year, find out why. Was your child mistreated by the adults or other children? Was your child left out of activities? Was the camp poorly run, or the food substandard? Listen to your child and take the feedback seriously. If your child begins to complain in the middle of camp, pay attention. Your child might not be able to articulate a serious problem to you over the telephone or in a letter. Go and visit your child and make sure that everything really is OK before insisting that your child stay.

What is the camp all about? What is the philosophy of the camp? What are they trying to accomplish? What is the daily routine? Which special activities will be planned? Do these goals fit in with you and your child? Perhaps your child has a particular interest (such as dance, theater, music, art or a sport), and the camp focuses on that interest.

What is the staff member-to-camper ratio? The American Camping Association recommendations vary depending on the age and physical capabilities of the children. In general, at resident camps, the ACA recommends the following:

	1:6 (that's one staff member for every 6 campers) for ages 7 and 8
	1:8 for ages 9 to 14
	1:10 for ages 15 to 17
	At day camps, recommendations are 1:8 for children 6 to 8, 1:10 for ages 9 to 14, and 1:12 for campers ages 15 to 17.

Director and staff member training and background: What are the background and training levels of the director and all of the staff members (not just the people watching your children, but also the cook, the janitor, the lifeguards, the driver, etc.)? How old are they? How much experience do they have? How many have returned from the previous year? Can you obtain references? Have background checks for criminal records or sex offenses been done on them, and what were the results? Can you see the certificates/references/background checks?

The American Camping Association recommends that staff members be trained in at least the following: safety regulations, emergency procedures and communication, behavior management techniques, child abuse prevention, and specific supervision responsibilities.

How are disciplinary/illness/special needs/homesickness situations handled? Make sure you know what the policies are on discipline, illness, special needs and homesickness -- and that you're comfortable with all of them. Find out how staff members handle a child who is acting out or bullying other children, for example. Find out how stealing is dealt with. And also make sure that any medication is stored in a locked place away from the children and that only medical personnel are allowed to dispense it. If your child has special needs (physical, emotional or mental), there are camps that cater specifically to these needs (such as Camp Heartland for children with HIV or AIDS).

Additionally, make sure that if your child has a specific medical condition, the responsible adults are aware of it. Don't just tell the director, but also the people who will be watching out for your child. Make sure they know the name of the condition, the warning signs, proper medication and doses, that they're alert to an emergency situation, that they have the proper training and certifications, and that they have the facilities for calling for emergency help.

Is the camp accredited by the American Camping Association? A camp that's accredited by the ACA has met or exceeded a set of standards (including staff training, first aid, health care, and transportation).

How much does the camp cost? Remember that more expensive doesn't necessarily make it better.

Take a look for yourself: Ask for information and brochures. Find out if you can visit before camp begins (then do it, preferably with your child). Don't send your child to a camp you haven't actually viewed -- or leave your child with caregivers you haven't actually met. Get references. Check out the beds. Walk through the kitchen and toilet facilities, the playground and all play equipment, the dock, the infirmary. Find out how personal belongings will be stored. Find out what the menus will be and whether healthy snacks and drinks will be served. Ask if you can drop in during the camp activities (and then do it!). And if you aren't allowed to wander freely or to observe some particular activities, ask yourself why. If you or your child have doubts, take them seriously. There might be something about the camp that bothers you, but that you can't put your finger on or that your child can't articulate. If so, pay attention and find another camp.

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For More Information:

	American Camping Association
	American Academy of Pediatrics - Health Appraisal Guidelines for Day Camps and Resident Camps
	National Camp Association, Inc.
	Medem - do search under "camping" or "summer camp"
	Camp Channel
	Camp Page
	Camp Heartland - which caters to children with HIV/AIDS
	KidsHealth - "Sending Your Child With Special Needs to Camp"
	Safer Child Packing Checklist for Traveling, Camping and Hiking - most camps will give you a list of what your child should bring (and NOT bring). Check out our list for other helpful ideas.

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