Camp
Q & A
By Cathy Ashby
There are many questions and topics to consider as your family searches
for the right summer programs. Even seemingly easy questions —like, “What
is the camp's content or subject matter?”— must be answered
thoroughly. For example, say you find out a camp specializes in natural
science. You will also want to find out how that subject matter is
taught. Is it mostly lecture? Indoor projects? No matter how much
a child enjoys science, she warns, if they don't like being out in
the sun with the summertime bugs, they won't enjoy a program focused
on outdoor experimentation. Likewise, of course, a child who adores
the outdoors will be miserable stuck inside this summer. Here you
will find a list of questions to help you prepare for a really enriching
summertime adventure, along with sources of information where you
can find some answers. Naturally, these questions are only a starting
point; you and your children will have your own concerns that will
lead to additional questions. What is important is that you each
find answers that speak to your individual concerns about the programs
in which you are interested. What to Ask...
•
What is the camp’s philosophy or mission?
• Where is the camp?
• How much does it cost?
• When are the sessions, and how long do they run?
• Does the program have day camp and residential camp options, and
which are we interested in?
• What age groups are represented, and in what percentages?
• Where do the campers come from? That is, are they local, national,
international?
• Is the program coed? If so, what is the approximate ratio of boys
to girls?
• Who is the camp director, and what is his or her background?
• Who are the camp staff members? How are staff members trained?
• What is the ratio of campers to staff members? Does that ratio
change during different activities or during different times
of the day?
• Are medical facilities adequate? Is there a nurse or doctor on
staff?
• What kind of living/eating/recreational facilities does the program
offer?
• How are behavioral problems handled? What is the camp policy regarding
discipline?
• What are the safety regulations? What kind of supervision is provided?
• What is the daily schedule like? Is there enough or too much free
time?
• Can campers have visitors?
• What kind of communication is allowed (mail, phone calls, etc.)?
• How does the staff handle homesickness?
...and Where to Look
Local newspapers and parenting magazines often print extensive
camp-related advertising and editorial as the summer draws near.
Universities and community colleges offer a variety of summer enrichment
opportunities, from academic and sports programs to leadership
and college preparatory workshops.
Summer program catalogs and books are easy to find and easy to
use. Libraries, bookstores and school guidance counselors' offices
have up-to-date copies of various helpful references, including:
Peterson’s Summer Opportunities for Kids and Teenagers 2006
(Peterson’s Guides, $29.95; to order call 800-338-3282) and
Guide to ACA-Accredited Camps 2004 (American Camping Association,
$12.95; to order call 800-428-CAMP). These books contain an enormous
amount of information, and their indexes are cross-referenced geographically
and by subject area, making it quick and easy to narrow down the
choices.
Websites can provide up-to-date listings of all kinds of summer
programs, along with links to programs’ own websites. (Once
there, you can request more information and materials directly
from the camp.) Here are just a few you can visit:
American Camping Association: www.acacamps.org
National Camping Association: www.summercamp.org
Peterson's Education Center: www.petersons.com
A camp's promotional materials (brochures, videos, in-home presentations
and websites) offer specifics about things such as session dates,
age requirements, tuition and locations. Often accompanied by photographs,
video footage, web streaming and detailed descriptions, these information-packed
materials provide you with your first glimpse of the program's
content and philosophy.
The camp director or administrator is another excellent source
of information. Nettles encourages parents to ask questions that
require specific answers. For example, when inquiring about the
level of supervision, don't ask if there is adequate supervision.
Every camp director believes his or her program's level of supervision
is adequate. Instead, ask the director to describe the level of
supervision specifically for the age group or program division
in which your child is interested. That way, you can determine
if the answers given are suitable for your family and for your
child — not just for the camp director.
Referrals and references from former campers can be very enlightening.
They offer an unbiased and honest picture of the camp experience.
Most camp offices will provide you with contact information of
former campers in your area or in your child's age range. Keep
in mind that many camps will not give out this information without
permission from the referring family, so it may take the camp several
days to locate a good referral candidate and to obtain permission
to release his or her family's phone number. Try to speak with
both the camper and the parents, and let your child ask questions
of the camper as well. Again, ask specific questions and pay particular
attention to areas of concern. For instance, if the soccer camp
you are researching has a reputation for working the kids too hard,
ask the camper and the parents to describe the level of activity
and to comment on the staff's response to individual campers' skills
and endurance.
Remember, the efforts you make now to find a camp that’s
right for your camper, and a good fit for your family, will pay
off this summer when they can’t wait to get packing.
Cathy Ashby is a former camp director and counselor. She is currently
the editor of Carolina Parent magazine.
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