Parents have a lot of decisions that when choosing a summer camp for your child. There is a price, place, and the desired outcome is it an educational experience or purely recreational camp. It is easy for parents to take safety for granted, but instead, the parent's first priority should be to pick your child up safe and sound at the end of the camp experience. Here are some tips and parenting that parents should consider when choosing a summer camp for your child.
Accreditation: Is the camp accredited by the American Camp Association, National Association camp, boy or girl scouts of America, or affiliated with an organization you trust as a YMCA or a church group? ACA standards include important safety criteria that may not be standard in other logorima.ACA criteria includes a long and specific standards for safety. For example, emergency exits, smoke alarms, water testing, fire equipment, carbon monoxide detectors, food standards, safety belts are required when transporting children, driver training criterea, medication management, firearms must be locked, requiring personnel screening checks criminal past and personnel skills testing and much more. They also require standards of safety activities. For example, if your child skateboards, he or she must wear a helmet. Overview of accreditation standards for camps you are considering.
Medical Care: Is there medical staff on duty? Who shares my medication? What is the nearest emergency facility or hospital? In an emergency seconds count!
Leadership: Who works in the camp and what is your experience with children, their background and philosophy? If you have a camp director to find out how long he / she had a position. Composition of the staff is, for most parents, the most important consideration in choosing a camp. How long has the director was in charge and what are their priorities in selecting staff. Do they conduct criminal background checks? What percentage of foreign staff? What is the staff to camper ratio? What training they receive? What is the age and experience of staff? ACA guidelines for overnight camps call for the 01:06 ratio of 7:08, 01:08 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 the philosophy of the camp staff and how it can affect your child's experience.
Leadership: Who works in the camp and what is your experience with children, their background and philosophy? If you have a camp director to find out how long he / she had a position. Composition of the staff is, for most parents, the most important consideration in choosing a camp. How long has the director was in charge and what are their priorities in selecting staff. Do they conduct criminal background checks? What percentage of foreign staff? What is the staff to camper ratio? What training they receive? What is the age and experience of staff? ACA guidelines for overnight camps call for the 01:06 ratio of 7:08, 01:08 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 the philosophy of the camp staff and how it can affect your child's experience.
...Agenda: Review the list of activities for your child. You do not want to be surprised after the fact that your child is allowed to ride ATVs, go climbing or other similar potentially hazardous activities.
Accommodation: Where will your child sleep? Will the consultant be present while your child sleeps? What types of menus are ready for camp? What are the rules about socializing with the opposite sex? Do not take anything for granted when it comes to child safety.
Due Diligence: Check the references that may apply to staff who will specifically be responsible for your child. Great references from parents last year camper does not mean anything if there is a new director, a 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 the camp experience. If your child has a special interest, such as music, dance, horseback riding, or arts and crafts, camping experience can be wonderful! However, 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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