Questions To Ask Sleepaway Camp Directors
By Tanni Haas , Ph . D .
You ’ ve gone online , asked everyone you know for recommendations , and otherwise searched for sleepaway camps for your kids . How do you find the one that ’ s just right for them ? When you ’ ve narrowed down the options to a handful or less , it ’ s time to speak to the camp directors by phone or email . Below is a list of some of the most important questions to ask .
The Camp
Is the camp accredited , how old is it , and how long have you owned or managed it ? It ’ s a good sign if the camp is licensed by the American Camp Association ( ACA ). To earn accreditation , a camp must satisfy 300 industry standards for health , safety and program quality . Every three years , the ACA visits the camp to verify that it ’ s in compliance . It ’ s also a good sign if the camp has been in existence for many years ( kids are coming back year after year ) and if the director is experienced at running camps .
What ’ s your philosophy ? Camps can be very different . Some camps , especially ones focused on specific sports , can be quite competitive . Other camps are more aimed at instilling in kids certain values , like comradery , cooperation and conflict-resolution . Make sure that the camp ’ s philosophy matches your own values and that it ’ s a good fit for your kids . or more of their regular friends .
How much does it cost ? You probably don ’ t need any reminders to ask about the camp fee . But don ’ t forget to ask whether that fee is all-inclusive or whether there are additional costs for day or overnight trips , transportation to and from camp , special activities , etc . Also , ask if there ’ s a refund policy should your kids get sick , what the deadline is for registration and , in case you missed the deadline , if there ’ s a waitlist . It ’ s also a good idea to ask if financial aid or needs-based scholarships are available , perhaps a sibling discount , whether you need to pay everything up front , or whether you can pay in installments . Finally , don ’ t forget to get the camp ’ s Tax ID number . The camp fee can be tax-deductible .
The Program
How long are the sessions , can they be lengthened or shortened , and how long do most campers stay ? Most camps offer sessions of a specific length , often two , four or eight weeks . However , if you have other things planned for the summer , it can be useful to either shorten or lengthen a session to fit your schedule . Most kids like to stay as long as the other kids : assuming they ’ re having a great time , no kid wants to be the one getting picked up before everyone else .
What ’ s the accommodation like ? Ask whether the kids sleep in cabins or tents , whether there are bathrooms and showers nearby and , most importantly , whether your kids can request to room with friends from home . Whether your kids are first-time or seasoned campers , it ’ s always comforting and great fun to room with one
What do the kids do on a typical day ? Try to get a sense of what your kids will be doing on a typical day , including how much time is devoted to indoor and outdoor activities and what they ’ ll be doing in the evening . This will help you decide whether it ’ s the right camp for them .
APRIL 2022 | 11